News & Updates

CKD management in primary care: Why use SGLT2i?

Primary care physicians, as patients’ first point of contact, play an important role in early detection and timely management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors’ (SGLT2i) positive data in CKD trials have established their role as first-line therapy recommended by international and Hong Kong guidelines. At an industry-sponsored symposium organized by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians, experts reviewed empagliflozin’s benefits in broad populations of CKD patients, and discussed how its early initiation may slow CKD progression and delay dialysis. Case reports were presented to illustrate real-world benefits of empagliflozin among patients managed in primary care in Hong Kong.

GLP-1 RAs facilitate maintenance of healthy weight and lifestyle, offer cardiometabolic benefits

In an interview with MIMS Doctor, Dr Cheryl Yuen-Ching Chan, Specialist in Family Medicine in Hong Kong, discussed the importance of obesity management, as well as the role of primary care physicians and use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs), such as liraglutide, in helping patients achieve and maintain target body weight, thereby empowering them to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. She also shared a case illustrating sustained weight reduction with liraglutide in a patient with obesity where lifestyle modification had been inadequate.

NT-proBNP predicts cardiorenal complications, improves risk stratification in Chinese T2D patients

In a recent study involving 1,993 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) enrolled in the Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank, researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) demonstrated promising utility of N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as an independent prognostic biomarker for a variety of cardiorenal complications. Notably, use of NT-proBNP with established clinical risk factors improved prediction of cardiorenal complications over clinical risk factors alone. This article summarizes these findings and highlights the potential utility of NT-proBNP in clinical practice for identification of T2D patients at risk of cardiorenal complications who may benefit from early use of more intensive, organ-protective therapies.

Use of an SGLT2i in a patient with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome

A 70-year-old Chinese male patient had an acute myocardial infarction (MI) at the age of 60 years and underwent a successful percutaneous coronary intervention. At the time of presentation in 2013, he had cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, including obesity with a body mass index (BMI) of 28 kg/m², type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with HbA_1c of 7.5 percent, chronic kidney disease (CKD) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 50 mL/min/1.73 m² and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) of 4 mg/mmol, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40 percent.

What’s new, what’s hot in diabetes management: Snippets from ATTD-ASIA

ATTD-ASIA 2024, held recently in Singapore, was a huge success, with nearly 800 delegates from 49 countries gracing the event. ATTD-Asia 2024 chair, Professor Moshe Phillip, said the event brought together top diabetes experts to ensure patients can access the latest technologies and treatments for diabetes. MIMS Doctor reports highlights and snippets from the conference.

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir efficacy and risk factors for COVID-19 hospitalization

The post-pandemic burden of COVID-19 remains significant in adults. Four studies from IDWeek 2024 highlight the benefits of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV/r) for high-risk adults with SARS-CoV-2 immunity and link chronic conditions to COVID-19 hospitalization. Identifying high-risk patients and using NMV/r in outpatient settings can reduce severe outcomes.

Clinical considerations for patients at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19

COVID-19 has not gone away. New contagious variants continue to be a leading cause of death, with underlying conditions still influencing the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations, said Dr Ali Hassoun, Clinical Professor of Medicine and infectious disease specialist at Crestwood Medical Center, Huntsville, Alabama, US, who spoke at a Pfizer-sponsored session during IDWeek 2024.

Robust evidence for fenofibrate in patients with metabolic syndrome on statins

The latest ESC-EAPCI Consensus statement on Renal Denervation by Prof Felix Mahfoud

The latest ESC-EAPCI Consensus statement on Renal Denervation by Prof Felix Mahfoud

How to optimize lipid-lowering therapy for patients with higher CV risk?

Dr. Chiu-Lai Fu reviews international guideline recommendations on LDL-C goals and lipid-modifying therapy for patients at high or very high CV risk. Advantages of ezetimibe/statin combination therapy are discussed based on clinical studies and her experience.