Top endocrinology stories: FDA approves Invokana for CV events, bioidentical hormone therapy

Among the most popular stories in endocrinology this week were the FDA approvals of Invokana for major adverse cardiovascular events, a bioidentical hormone therapy combination of estradiol and progesterone for menopausal hot flashes and a mobile app for monitoring glucose readings.

Other top stories included studies that found that bariatric surgery can halve the risk for CV events in patients with type 2 diabetes and fasting for lipid laboratory tests by patients with diabetes can lead to increased risk for hypoglycemia.

FDA approves CV events indication for Invokana

The FDA has approved an expanded indication for the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin to include language in the prescribing information that the drug can reduce risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke or CV death, in adults with type 2 diabetes and established CVD, according to a press release from Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Read more.

FDA approves bioidentical hormone therapy for menopausal hot flashes

The FDA has approved the first bioidentical hormone therapy combination of estradiol and progesterone for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, TherapeuticsMD announced in a press release. Read more.

FDA approves mobile app for Freestyle Libre

The FDA approved a mobile app for use with the Freestyle Libre 10-day and 14-day glucose monitoring systems, allowing patients with diabetes to monitor glucose readings on their compatible iPhone devices, Abbott announced in a press release. Read more.

Bariatric surgery can halve risk for CV events in type 2 diabetes

Adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes who underwent bariatric surgery were half as likely to experience macrovascular complications over 4 years, including acute myocardial infarction or stroke, compared with similar patients receiving usual care, according to a retrospective analysis of more than 20,000 patients published in JAMA. Read more.

Fasting laboratory tests pose risk for hypoglycemia

Fasting for lipid laboratory tests by patients with diabetes can lead to increased risk for what researchers are calling fasting-evoked en route hypoglycemia in diabetes, or FEEHD, according to findings published in the International Journal of Endocrinology. Read more.