Kenneth J. Bender, PharmD, MA

Based on guidance from the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, this topline summarizes risk factors and interventions to reduce the risk of major adverse CV events.

Click through this topline on primordial and primary CVD prevention based on the American Society of Preventive Cardiology's clinical practice statement.

For primary care clinicians, this Guideline Topline provides a summary of 2024 ADA Standard of Care updates that may support improved outcomes in your practice.

Get GOLD Report updates at-a-glance on initiating pharmacotherapy, avoiding exacerbations, treating dyspnea, how to approach using ICS, plus other topics.

The 2022 AAFP Clinical Practice Guideline on hypertension treatment in adults is the subject matter for this 10-question topline quiz that is also a good source of review.

Use of opioids to manage chronic pain is not preferred but the VA/DoD make specific new recommendations on how to proceed. Try 8 questions on the guidelines.

One US researcher notes that using A1c alone to classify diabetes may misdiagnose >33 million Americans. What are the other options and how well do they work? Read on.

ADA 2019 ICYMI: Tirzepatide, a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, reduces A1c and BMI as well as biomarkers of metabolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes patients. Four studies reviewed.

ADA 2019 ICYMI: Safety and efficacy of oral semaglutide in patients with T2DM was demonstrated in results of 3 PIONEER program clinical trials.  Highlights, here.

ADA 2019--Linagliptin, the DPP-4 inhibitor, showed similar risk for first or recurrent CV events or hopspitalization vs placebo in T2DM patients with high cardiorenal risk in CARMELINA subanalysis.

Fremanezumab shown to be effective in treating acute and episodic migraine, according to a new presentation at PAINWeek 2018. 

News from PAINWeek 2018: "Tapering [opioids] is not detoxification," was one among many cautions and recommendations offered during several presentations in Las Vegas, Sept 4-8.

News from PAINWeek 2018: Lofexidine is found particularly suited to mitigate symptoms of rapid opioid withdrawal given its agonist activity at the 5-HT-1A serotonin receptor.

News from PAINWeek 2018: Electroceuticals could replace opioids in the treatment of chronic pain.

Severe hypoglycemia is more prevalent than previously believed and also significantly underreported. Details from 3 studies at ADA 2018.

From ADA 2018: Two new biomarkers predict CV events independently of conventional risk factors, plus post-hoc analysis of VADT.

What is the impact on insulin dose, A1c, body weight of adding GLP-1 RA to a MDI insulin regimen? Three studies from ADA 2018 illuminate.

Three studies at ADA 2018 highlight the current track record of SGLT-2is in reducing CV-related morbidity and mortality.

Should you: Stop a DPP-4i when you start insulin? Prescribe initial triple combination Rx? What about SGLT2i + DPP-4i + MET vs insulin + MET? Find out.

How do 2nd generation basal insulin formulations perform vs their predecessors? We report highlights of 3 important studies from the ADA 78th Scientific Sessions.

Terms such as "opioid McCarthyism" and "witch hunt" were used to express frustration with current opioid regulatory efforts.

From PAINWeek 2017: Reflex vasodilation is out, neurobiologic dysfunction is in as explanation for migraine etiology.

An early session at PAINWeek 2017 addressed prescriber fear as regulatory agencies "pile on" across overlapping jurisdictions.

Studies summarized in this slide show focus on fine-tuning insulin-containing regimens to enhance glucose control and avoid variability.

Glycemic variability fuels hypoglycemia but in one study from ADA 2017 is found to actually help predict hypoglycemic events.

Cardiovascular risk/benefit profiles of pioglitazone and the SGLT2 inhibitor class are summarized, based on reports at ADA 2017.

A1C vs FPG to diagnose prediabetes; prediabetes and CHF; and how much weight loss is too much? Reports from ADA 2017.

Insulin degludec vs glargine--which costs less per anum and why? We summarize this study and 2 other direct insulin comparisons reported at ADA 2017.

When to start screening for B12 deficiency in your diabetes patients taking metformin? We review a dose-response diet study plus 2 others on oral drugs.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," began the PAINWeek 2016 speaker, in mock trial defense of a physician for over-prescribing opioid meds.