Date of Paper/Work

5-2013

Type of Paper/Work

Scholarly project

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Nursing

Department

Nursing

Advisor

Gay Varecka

Abstract

The Affordable Care Act will provide healthcare to 31 million previously uninsured Americans. Meanwhile, the country faces a growing diabetes epidemic. 25.8 million persons are diagnosed with diabetes. 33% of the US population is predicted to have prediabetes, which is a strong predictor of Type II diabetes. 174 billion dollars were spent in 2007 treating diabetes. If current trends continue, 1 in 3 are predicted to have diabetes by 2050. These figures are not sustainable. Exploration and implementation of new approaches to diabetes prevention is necessary. After searching common medical research databases, four randomized controlled trials were reviewed. Each article compared the use of Metformin vs lifestyle modifications, placebo or both in patients with prediabetes. The comprehensive review suggests lifestyle modifications are superior to Metformin as the preferred treatment in the presence of prediabetes. Though, Metformin was superior to placebo and should be considered in select patients. Earlier intervention to prevent diabetes in the age of healthcare reform is cost-effective, promotes sustainability and maintains patient quality of life.

Share

COinS