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November 11, 2012
HEALTHY LIFE: DIABETES
13
R
ESEARCH
— it guides diabetes care, builds hope
By RAYMOND RENDLEMAN
Pamplin Media Group
F
irst, here’s the good news about dia-
betes research trends. Improved
medical treatment for cardiovascular
disease, better management of dia-
betes and some healthy lifestyle changes
caused death rates for people with the disease
to drop by 23 percent from 1997 to 2006, accord-
ing to researchers at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the National Insti-
tutes of Health.
But, because people with diabetes are living
longer and the rate of new cases being diag-
nosed is increasing, scientists expect the total
number of peoplewith the diseasewill continue
to rise. The number of Americans diagnosed
with diabetes has more than tripled since 1980,
primarily due to Type 2 diabetes, which is close-
ly linked to rises in obesity, inactivity and age.
CDC estimates that 25.8millionAmericans have
diabetes, and 7million of themdo not know they
have the disease.
More sick people mean that research will
continue to play an important role in keeping
the disease in check.
A variety of national initiatives are working
to prevent Type 2 diabetes and to reduce its
complications. The Affordable Care Act gave
millions of people access to basic preventive
care, including screenings for diabetes and high
blood pressure. CDC leads the National Diabe-
tes Prevention Program, a public-private part-
nership designed to encourage evidence-based
programs and establish a network of classes to
teach lifestyle changes for overweight or obese
people at high risk of developing the disease.
Tracking the future
Ending the childhood obesity epidemic in
America is also a goal of researchers, since
studies show 80 percent of obese children re-
main obese through adulthood. One-third of
American children are obese, a rate that has
tripled in the past 25 years.
Locally, Dr. PhilipWu helped promote the in-
ternational Walk and Bike to School Day in Oc-
tober. Lewis Elementary in Portland’s Wood-
stock neighborhood, along with other partici-
pating schools in the metro area, need the Safe
Routes to Schools program, aguedWu, the lead
pediatric clinician for the Weight Management
Initiative at Kaiser Permanente Northwest.
“I could see the problem literally growbefore
my eyes: young people with high blood pres-
sure, abnormal cholesterol levels, liver prob-
lems, big increases in Type 2 diabetes (once ex-
tremely rare in children), and, perhaps most
importantly, poor self esteem,” he said.
Kaiser has “great data” for studying the issue
because it has electronic records of patients
that are digitally searchable going back de-
cades, saidKaiser spokesmanDavidNorthfield.
This spring Kaiser combined data from its elec-
tronic health records to formthe largest private-
sector diabetes registry in the nation. De-iden-
tified health information from nearly 1.1 mil-
lion people with diabetes in 10 states includes
six of Kaiser’s regions, Geisinger Health Sys-
tem, Group Health Cooperative, HealthPart-
ners, Henry Ford Health System and Marsh-
field Clinic.
Earlier this year, theKaiser Permanente Cen-
ter for Health Research in Portland studied
3,384 diabetes patients receiving medical care
from2005 to 2007 at 50 federally qualified health
centers in Oregon and found continuous health
coverage is “essential” inmanaging the disease.
Researchers examined patients’ electronic
health records to see if they received a lipid test
for high cholesterol, a flu vaccine, a test that
measures blood-sugar levels and a urine test
that can detect kidney damage. Patients getting
regular care were much more likely to receive
those four services recommended annually for
diabetes patients.
Initiatives abound
David Disselbrett was the recipient of Kaiser
Sunnyside Hospital’s first ventricular assist de-
vice (VAD), which took over pumping for his
weak heart this year. Physicians at the Clacka-
mas facility connected a tube from the VAD to
Disselbrett’s left ventricle. Blood flows from his
left ventricle into a tube connected to the VAD’s
pump, which pushes blood through his aorta
and the rest of his body.
After surgery, Disselbrett, 66, is looking for-
ward to more years of doing what he loves —
wood carving and teaching the craft. Aside from
congestive heart failure and controlled diabetes,
Disselbrett’s overall relative good health made
him a good candidate for the device.
Until relatively recently, patients in need of a
VAD had to go to an academic or other highly
specialized medical institution for an implant.
Sunnyside’s VAD program is one of only two
within nonacademic health systems in Oregon.
Sunnyside also is the first of 37 Kaiser Perman-
ente hospitals to implant VADs.
Kaiser partners with Oregon Health & Sci-
ence University on much of its diabetes re-
search, where OHSU’s Harold Schnitzer Diabe-
tes Health Center research team is made up of
doctors and research coordinators.
Researchers at OHSU and Legacy Health in
June announced their discovery of a liquid
glucagon formulation that may be useable in
standard diabetes pumps. Such a mixture, the
researchers say, could broaden the use of glu-
cagon to help prevent hypoglycemia in people
with Type 1 diabetes who are treated with
insulin.
“Make us your first call”
NW Senior Resources, Inc.
Adult Placement and Referral Services
We help people get the information they
need to make the best decisions about
important matters in their lives.
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Nancy Raske
Owner ~ Consultant
503.680.9407
www.nwseniorresources.com
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professionals in the senior health care arena. Nancy
is the consummate professional. When it came time
for me to find a senior care community for my father
I turned to Nancy. She was sensitive, compassionate
and understanding at a very difficult time. She is
simply the best and I feel fortunate to know her.”
Virginia G. Mitchell
Attorney at Law
Retirement/Assisted Living
Memory Care & Adult Care Homes
396173.110712 HL
Rupa Shah, MD, FAAP
Bassam Hadeed, MD
Frank DiGregorio, MD
Heather Long, MD
Ketki Shah, PhD
Heather Selis, PNP
Alissa Mumford, PA-C
Kristen Ell, MD
Magdalenne Corso, MD
Brian Pilato, DO
Alyssa Pace, PA-C
Deborah Spiro, PNP
Holly Walkington, PA-C
Troy Stoeber, MD
Jennifer Egelseer, DO
Holly Potts, DO
Katy Kwan, PA-C
Marie Rhamie, NP
Laura Montez, PA-C
Clackamas Pediatric Clinic
503-659-1694
9290 SE Sunnybrook Blvd., Ste 200, Clackamas OR 97015
Oregon Pediatrics-NE Portland
503-233-5393
5050 NE Hoyt St., Ste B55, Portland OR 97213
Oregon Pediatrics-Happy Valley
503-427-2637
16144 SE Happy Valley Town Center Dr., Ste 210 Happy Valley OR 97086
Oregon Pediatrics-Meridian Park
503-691-2519
19260 SW 65th Ave., Ste 275, Tualatin OR 97062
www.oregonpediatrics.com
Central Fax: 503-659-8984
406939.110712 HL
410447.082912HL
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