Incretin-related therapies: Targeting the underlying physiology and cardiometabolic factors of type 2 diabetes

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Release date: February 6, 2009
Expiration date: February 6, 2010

This activity was submitted by DIME and was supported by an educational grant from Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company. It was edited and peer reviewed by The Journal of Family Practice.

Target Audience: The target audience for this activity includes primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians who treat patients with type 2 diabetes.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
• Describe the physiological actions of the incretin hormones and their role in type 2 diabetes
• Assess the relative merits and drawbacks of available and emerging incretin–related therapies
• Implement treatment approaches to control hyperglycemia, manage obesity, and prevent long-term micro- and macrovascular complications

Accreditation and designation: DIME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DIME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This program has been reviewed and is approved for a maximum of 1.25 hours of AAPA Category I CME credit by the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Approval is valid for one year from the issue date of February 6, 2009. Participants may submit the self-assessment at any time during that period. This program was planned in accordance with AAPA’s CME Standards for Enduring Material Programs and for Commercial Support of Enduring Material Programs. This program is approved for 1.25 contact hour(s) of continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Program ID 0901016. This program was planned in accordance with AANP CE Standards and Policies and AANP Commercial Support Standard.

Activity Purpose: By increasing knowledge and understanding of GLP-1, DIME’s educational goal is to assist participants in their efforts to incorporate best clinical practices and/or guidelines into clinical practice and improve the long-term outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Statement of Need: The complex metabolic nature of type 2 diabetes presents ongoing short and long-term challenges. Lifestyle modifications are used in the early stages of type 2 diabetes; however, as beta-cell function progressively deteriorates, most patients require pharmacotherapy. Conventional oral antidiabetic agents are often used first, but their efficacy deteriorates over time and exogenous insulin may eventually be required. Alarmingly, approximately 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes do not achieve established targets of glycemic control despite receiving treatment. Less than one half of patients with type 2 diabetes achieve therapeutic targets for lipids and blood pressure. These discrepancies are detrimental to the long-term micro- and macrovascular health of patients. Multifaceted, aggressive treatments are needed to improve long-term outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Treatment decisions for type 2 diabetes are becoming increasingly complicated with the introduction of new pharmacotherapeutic approaches.

Continuing Education Credit: This activity includes a posttest and evaluation, which must be completed to receive continuing education credit. There is no fee for participating in the program or for the generation of the certificate. This activity has a release date of February 6, 2009 and is valid for 1 year. Requests for credit must be received no later than February 6, 2010. A review committee has agreed that this material can be completed in 1.25 hours. This estimated study time in turn has determined the credit hours being offered. All inquiries should be directed to: DIME, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 4-160, Chicago, IL 60654; e-mail: DIMEinfo@DIMedEd.org; Web site: www.DiMedEd.org.

Disclosures: In accordance with DIME policies regarding financial and off-label disclosure, the learner is advised that this CME/CE activity may contain references to off-label or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. The use of these agents outside currently approved labeling is considered experimental, and participants are advised to consult prescribing information for these products. This CME/CE activity was planned and produced in accordance with ACCME Essential Areas and Policies. DIME requires that all persons who were in a position to control or influence the content of this CME activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. This information is used to: (1) determine whether a conflict exists, (2) resolve the conflict by initiating a content validation process, and (3) advise learners of this information.

This program was supported by an educational grant from Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Eli Lilly and Company.

This activity may be accessed via the Internet on www.jfponline.com

This Supplement was submitted by DIME and was edited and peer reviewed by The journal of Family Practice.