Top stories in endocrinology: New diabetes cases decline, panel discourages thyroid hormones as subclinical hypothyroidism treatment

Among the top stories in endocrinology last week were a CDC analysis that indicated new diabetes cases have dropped by more than one-third in the past decade and that a panel advised against using thyroid hormones to treat adults with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Other highlights included details of how an artificial pancreas managed diabetes in the ‘real world,’ findings that showed the role maternal genetic risk for type 2 diabetes played in their offspring’s birth weight and data that revealed a consequence of premature menopause. – by Janel Miller

After 20-year increase, new diabetes cases decline 35%

Cases of newly diagnosed diabetes in the United States have declined 35% since the peak year of 2009, and the prevalence of the disease has remained stable for 8 years, with the trends reflected across all age, sex and racial groups, according to an analysis of National Health Interview Survey data. Read more.

Subclinical hypothyroidism guideline recommends against treatment

A panel of researchers strongly advised against the use of thyroid hormones to treat adults with subclinical hypothyroidism in a recent BMJ Rapid Recommendations guide published in The BMJ. Read more.

Artificial pancreas meets real-world goals for effective diabetes management

Real-world data from 120,000 individuals with diabetes revealed that those using a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system maintained blood glucose within a range of 70 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL for 71% of the time, according to a press release from Medtronic. Read more.

Maternal genetic risk for type 2 diabetes tied to birth weight in offspring

Black women with a higher genetic risk score for type 2 diabetes are more likely to have offspring with a higher birth weight, whereas a higher genetic risk score in offspring was associated with lower birth weight, according to findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Read more.

Premature menopause affects physical functioning in women

A cohort of Canadian women who entered natural menopause before age 40 years had a slower gait speed during an assessment of physical functioning when compared with women who entered menopause at age 50 to 54 years, study data show. Read more.