Free Diabetes and Endocrinology CME

  • FREE

    ScientiaCME Updates in the management of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS): best practices and emerging therapies

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:
    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is an ultrarare genetic disease characterized by the buildup of chylomicrons – the largest lipoprotein – as a result of loss of function of one of five genes responsible for lipolysis. Its estimated prevalence is one in one million people and affects patients of all ages. The clinical presentation of FCS varies but includes patients with triglyceride (TG) levels over 10 times and up to a hundred-fold times the upper limit of normal. Complications include eruptive xanthomas on the trunk and extremities, lipemia retinalis, recurrent abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly, fatigue, cognitive disorientation, organ failure, necrosis, and pancreatitis, the latter of which is associated with a five- to 30-percent mortality rate in patients affected by FCS. Unfortunately, due in part to the rarity of the condition, patients are commonly undiagnosed, even by endocrinologists.

    Target Audience:
    HCPs including: endocrinologists, cardiologists, and primary care physicians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and those who otherwise have an interest in or commonly care for or clinically encounter patients with FCS.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: .75
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: December 21, 2023
    • Expiration of CME credit: December 21, 2025
  • FREE

    Gaucher disease: Though Very Rare, Why You Should Care – Updates and emerging medical management strategies in Gaucher disease

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Gaucher disease (GD) is characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, resulting in the accumulation of sphingolipids throughout the body but most manifesting prominently in the bones. GD is subcategorized based on clinical features: type 1 GD is the non-neuronopathic form and affects mainly the inner organs, while types 2 and 3 are the acute and sub-acute neuropathic forms, whose pathology manifests predominantly within central nervous system. GD has an estimated prevalence of 0.70 to 1.75 per 100 000 in the general population, it affects individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage in significantly higher numbers. One of the first of GD’s complications is the chronic anemia and a persistent bleeding risk. Another is the hepatosplenomegaly, which may be a part of the initial clinical presentation, as may the anatomical abnormalities of bone deformities and stunted growth.

    This learning activity has been designed to bring healthcare professionals’ knowledge of the strategies for treatment and management of GD up to date and to improve their competence and performance in treating it.

    Target Audience:

    The following healthcare professionals: Pediatricians, neurologists, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians; physician assistants and nurse practitioners in those areas of specialty; pharmacists who practice in specialty pharmacies that treat patients with rare diseases; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with GD.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: 1.25
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: April 06, 2022
    • Expiration of CME credit: April 06, 2024
  • FREE

    Advances in the diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): best practices and emerging therapies

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) characterized by steatosis, with the accumulation of fat in the liver in excess of five percent of the liver’s weight, together with hepatic inflammation in the presence or absence of fibrosis. Risk factors for NASH include a number of comorbid metabolic diseases and disorders, including metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The prevalence of NASH is estimated to be 1.5%-6.45% of the U.S. population, and prevalence of NASH among NAFLD patients to be 59.1% globally.

    Target Audience:

    The following HCPs in: Gastroenterology, hepatology, and endocrinology; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and those who otherwise have an interest in or commonly care for or clinically encounter patients with NAFLD.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: 1
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: 06/07/2022
    • Expiration of CME credit: 06/07/2024
  • FREE

    Updates in care and improving the healthcare experience of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I)

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of genetic diseases characterized by a deficiency of lysosomal enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), resulting in a variety of clinical manifestations in patients presenting with MPS. MPS has several subcategories, and MPS type I (MPS I) arises from the inheritance of an alteration in the IDUA gene, which encodes for alpha-L-iduronidase. Affecting an estimated one in 100,000 live births, MPS I is categorized as either attenuated MPS I (also known as Scheie or Hurler-Scheie syndromes) or severe MPS I with cognitive impairment (also known as Hurler syndrome).

    Progressive in nature, MPS I is associated with multi-organ complications and sequelae. Patients exhibit a spectrum of clinical presentations, including facial deformities, organomegaly, cognitive impairments, upper airway obstructions, skeletal deformities, and cardiomyopathy. The burden of MPS I is considerable, with reports of caregivers contributing 51 hours per week on average to help patients perform daily activities of living. Quality of life for patients and their caregivers is significantly reduced with MPS I, affecting the social, emotional, and financial well-being of a family. It is reported that parents fear for their child’s delayed language acquisition, ability to fit in amongst peers and the society, fear of the expense for the necessary care, and fear for the death of a child from obstructive sleep apnea.

    This learning activity has been designed to bring HCPs’ knowledge of the strategies for treatment and management of MPS I up to date and to improve their competence and performance in treating it.

    Target Audience:

    The following HCPs: Pediatricians, neurologists, endocrinologists, genetic disease specialists; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists in the aforementioned areas of specialty; and any other HCPs with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with MPS I.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: 1
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: 07/24/2022
    • Expiration of CME credit: 07/24/2024
  • FREE

    Postmenopausal osteoporosis risk stratification and treatment of those at high fracture risk

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Osteoporosis is a disease common among elderly patients and is increasing in frequency as senior citizens begin to represent a larger share of the US population. In the US, fragility fractures are associated with 1.7 million hospitalizations, and the number of annual of osteoporotic fractures is expected to rise to three million annually in the next few years, with annual treatment costs expected to be $25.3 billion. Despite the morbidity and mortality associated with osteoporosis, practice gaps related to suboptimal screening, risk assessment, and management practices have led to underdiagnosis and undertreatment of this condition. Osteoporosis screening may identify people at increased risk of low-trauma fracture who may benefit from interventions to minimize risk. The USPSTF recommends screening for osteoporosis with BMD testing in all women 65 years or older and in postmenopausal women younger than 65 years but at increased risk of osteoporosis. However, the literature has consistently illustrated underutilization of screening and diagnostic measures. About 60% of women for whom the USPSTF recommends screening do not receive BMD testing,  with some patient populations more likely than others to miss out on screening and care. Clinicians should be aware that prior fragility fracture is sufficient for diagnosis of osteoporosis, and yet only one-quarter of patients with a prior fragility fracture were aware they had this condition. Underdiagnosis therefore represents a compelling safety consideration, as 20% of patients become dependent on long-term care after a hip fracture, and 20% die within a year from related complications.

    Target Audience:

    HCPs specializing in: endocrinology, internal medicine, geriatrics, and women’s health; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who practice in those areas of specialty; and those who otherwise commonly care for or clinically encounter patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

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    • Credit hours: 1.25
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: 08/20/2022
    • Expiration of CME credit: 8/20/2024
  • FREE

    Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) Using Percutaneous Ultrasonic Needle Treatment

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. While there are many complications resulting from this disease, this CME proposal focuses on treating diabetic foot ulcers that occur in the setting of peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of non-traumatic foot injuries leading to amputation, and are also the most frequent reason for hospitalization in patients with diabetes in the United States Diabetic wound care treatments are varied with mixed results, and all current methods require some degree of medium to long-term follow-up and management by an interdisciplinary team which is costly and a significant burden to both the patients and the healthcare system as a whole.

    A single treatment with an ultrasonic probe has demonstrated a high rate of complete healing with low recurrence and complication rates. Using these types of devices are relatively inexpensive when compared to more extensive and complex wound care regimens and are easily learned by those experienced in managing this condition. The treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with ultrasonic probes is an evolving standard of care and is becoming an alternative to traditional treatments. This treatment involves fragmenting, emulsifying, and removing thickened scar tissue beneath the wound crater, as well as removing osseous prominences to decrease pressure on the wound bed and promote healing.

    There have been recent developments in the available treatments for diabetic foot ulcers. Communicating related information to HCPs, including recent guideline updates, is a demonstrated need.

    Target Audience:

    The following HCPs who specialize in diabetic care: Endocrinologists, podiatrists, foot and ankle surgeons, primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and wound care RNs.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: .75
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: 9/7/2022
    • Expiration of CME credit: 9/7/2024
  • FREE

    Therapeutic options and present gaps in the management of refractory and metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer

    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: 1
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: May 11, 2023
    • Expiration of CME credit: May 11, 2024
  • FREE

    Improving the recognition and management of acromegaly

    Activity Description / Statement of Need:

    In this online, self-learning activity:

    Acromegaly is an endocrine disorder characterized by dysregulated hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH), usually caused by a GH-secreting, pituitary adenoma and leading to an overproduction of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Estimated at between 40 and 240 people per million, is not as high as other endocrine disorders, acromegaly has a significant impact on patient quality of life. Approximately 25 percent of people with acromegaly have elevated blood pressure, and 50 percent have evidence of insulin resistance, putting them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in future. The mortality rates of acromegaly patients are three times higher than the general population, with most dying from respiratory or cardiac complications.

    Target Audience:

    HCPs including: endocrinologists and primary care providers; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists who specialize in endocrinology; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who clinically encounter patients with acromegaly.

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    • Cost: Free
    • Credit hours: 1
    • CME credits awarded by: ScientiaCME
    • Format: On-Demand Online
    • Material last updated: 05/02/2023
    • Expiration of CME credit: 05/02/2025