During a two-hour virtual presentation at this year’s Scientific Sessions, four diabetes care and education specialists discussed innovative programs and research designed to address care gaps in diabetes management. Jodi Krall, PhD, discussed the use of technology, particularly telemedicine, to expand access to nutrition and diabetes education.

Management of the diabetic foot infection osteomyelitis is a daunting task. While many treatment algorithms exist, there’s no one-size-fits-all protocol, according to Crystal Holmes, DPM, CWSP, who moderated a Scientific Sessions symposium examining dilemmas in diabetic foot infection management.

Studies indicate that women diagnosed with diabetes before age 20 have an increased risk of early menopause, and that early onset of menopause is associated with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes. Five experts, including Kristen Gray, PhD, MS, discussed the reciprocal links between menopause and diabetes during the Virtual 80th Scientfiic Sessions.

Bariatric surgery helps patients lose weight and improves insulin sensitivity, but follow-up and postoperative management are critical for enduring success and overall health, according to the five experts who presented a virtual symposium on bariatric surgery during the Scientific Sessions. Michael Roden, MD, chaired the symposium and discussed metabolism remodeling following bariatric surgery.

Four researchers, including Samantha Ehrlich, PhD, reviewed the latest data related to fetal sex and pregnancy outcomes during a Scientific Sessions symposium. Ongoing research has revealed several insights into how fetal sex may influence not only the mother’s health during pregnancy and beyond, but also how it may influence the child’s health throughout life.

More than 19 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are currently diagnosed with diabetes, with another 27 million expected to be diagnosed by 2045. These stark numbers require immediate action, according to the experts who presented a Scientific Sessions symposium exploring diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. Ayesha Motala, MB, ChB, MD, FRCP, FCP, moderated the virtual presentation.

Rachel Stahl, MS, RD, CDN, and three other health innovation experts shared strategies for integrating digital technologies into diabetes management during a Scientific Sessions symposium. Half a billion people worldwide use digital devices for health-related purposes, from managing chronic diseases to tracking diet and physical activity, Stahl said.

During a Current Issues debate at the Virtual 80th Scientific Sessions, four experts examined whether distinguishing between primary and secondary prevention strategies can improve cardiovascular disease outcomes for diabetes patients. Milton Packer, MD, and Javed Butler, MD, MPH, MBA, debated the need to distinguish between prevention strategies for heart failure complications.

During a Virtual 80th Scientific Sessions symposium, Karen L. Jones, PhD, DipAppSc, and two other experts provided an update on the latest research and current recommendations for treating diabetic neuropathies, including the clinical management of gastrointestinal autonomic neuropathies, the impact of diet and lifestyle interventions on diabetic neuropathies, and the pharmacological management of painful neuropathy.

During a Scientific Sessions virtual presentation, a panel of experts, including Subodh Verma, MD, PhD, FRCSC, and Ele Ferrannini, MD, reviewed the benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in metabolic mediation, in the heart, and in the kidney. SGLT2 inhibitors have a profound renal effect, they lower blood glucose levels, and they work to…