A new, first-of-its-kind diabetes algorithm created to help achieve glycemic (blood sugar) control in type 2 patients was published online today in the September/October edition of Endocrine Practice(1).
This diabetes algorithm, which was released as a consensus statement from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American College of Endocrinology (ACE), is a simple one-page resource designed to assist primary care physicians, endocrinologists and others in the management of type 2 diabetes.
"Depending on a patient's current A1C level, a physician will use the algorithm to determine whether a mono-, dual-, or triple combination therapy should be considered," Dr. Helena Rodbard, former AACE president and Co-Chair of the Algorithm Task Force said. "To minimize the risk of diabetic complications, the algorithm will help achieve a hemoglobin A1C value of 6.5 or less when appropriate."
Until now, there has never been a treatment algorithm that considers currently approved classes of medications emphasizing safety and efficacy while also considering secondary factors such as the overall cost of care -- not just the cost of medications. These drug classes include biguanides, DPP-4 inhibitors, incretin mimetics, thiazolidinediones, a-glucosidase inhibitors, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, bile acid sequestrants, amylin analogs and insulin therapy.