Top stories in endocrinology: Linagliptin effective in some patients with type 2 diabetes, inhaled insulin improves glucose control in type 1 diabetes

Among the top stories in endocrinology this week was a study that found linagliptin was effective and safe in patients with type 2 diabetes that also have kidney disease and CVD, a report that concluded that empagliflozin added to the life expectancy of patients with diabetes and CVD and another study that found that inhaled insulin led to better glucose control in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Other popular stories included findings that mindfulness might mediate some of the symptoms associated with menopause and new information regarding a possible app for automated insulin delivery devices. – by Janel Miller

CARMELINA: Linagliptin safe, effective in type 2 diabetes with CVD, kidney disease

Among adults with type 2 diabetes, established CVD and/or chronic kidney disease, the DPP-IV inhibitor linagliptin demonstrated CV safety and a neutral effect for hospitalization for heart failure and kidney outcomes vs. placebo, according to findings from the CARMELINA trial presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting. Read more.

EMPA-REG: Empagliflozin can add 4 years to life expectancy in diabetes with CVD

Adults with type 2 diabetes and established CVD who take the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin can expect to live between 1 and 5 years longer than those without the drug, depending on the person’s age when initiating treatment, according to an actuarial analysis of the EMPA-REG Outcome trial published in Circulation. Read more.

Inhaled insulin improves glucose control in type 1 diabetes

Compared with multiple daily insulin injections, inhaled insulin was shown to provide benefits for adults with type 1 diabetes, including improved postprandial glucose levels, lower daytime glucose variability and less hypoglycemia, according to a study published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics. Read more.

Mindfulness may mediate menopause-related symptoms

Midlife women who practice mindfulness may experience fewer menopause-related symptoms and less stress vs. women who do not practice the technique, according to a study of more than 1,700 women presented at the North American Menopause Society annual meeting. Read more.

Tidepool announces plans to deliver Loop as supported, FDA-regulated mobile app

Tidepool has launched a project to officially support Loop, an app designed for do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery devices, that includes plans to submit the app to the FDA and an observational study of “loopers” slated to begin in November, according to an announcement posted on the nonprofit company’s blog Oct. 8. Read more.