Diabetes

NEW YORK — Diabetics that have trouble sleeping likely experience high insulin resistance and have a more difficult time controlling the disease, according to study findings published in the June issue of Diabetes Care.

Researchers said they monitored the sleep of 40 subjects with diabetes for a duration of six nights and also measured the subjects' insulin and glucose levels during clinical examinations. The subjects also reported if they generally suffered from symptoms of such sleep disturbances as insomnia, snoring or sleep apnea.

WASHINGTON — More than 800 drugs are in development for diseases that affect women, according to a pharmaceutical industry lobbying group.

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — According to a report in the May issue of Cell Metabolism, while drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, are widely used in diabetes treatment, they have effects on the kidneys that lead to fluid retention as the volume of plasma in the bloodstream expands.

"TZDs usually increase body weight by several kilograms," stated George Seki of the University of Tokyo. "However, TZDs sometimes cause massive volume expansion, resulting in heart failure."

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced that it was selected as 1-of-20 finalists for the 2011 URAC Awards for Best Practices in Health Care Consumer Empowerment and Protection.

The accreditation organization will honor the finalists during the URAC 12th Annual Quality Summit on Oct. 4 to 6 in Chicago.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s annual meeting of stockholders held Wednesday morning was an emotional and momentous occasion for the company as it marked the official retirement of Tom Ryan, former chairman and CEO, and the beginning of a new chapter as Larry Merlo takes the reigns as CEO.

WASHINGTON — The National Consumers League and the U.S. surgeon general are launching a new campaign to educate patients about the risks of not properly taking their medications, the organization said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The blood test recommended for detecting Type 2 diabetes in overweight children may not be enough, and they may need two different tests to diagnose the disease, according to research conducted at Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo.

The researchers found that the hemoglobin A1C test missed more than two-thirds of diabetes cases in children at high risk for the condition, but they found that performing that test along with the oral glucose tolerance test dramatically could lower the risk of delayed diagnosis in overweight children.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is “off to a good start” in 2011 as first-quarter results registered slightly above guidance for both the retail and PBM businesses, and the retail segment continues to gain share. But what president and CEO Larry Merlo wanted to clarify straight away during Thursday morning’s conference was the company’s commitment to its PBM division, and he outlined its plan to further improve PBM performance.