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American Diabetes Association Updates Standards of Care in Diabetes for 2025

On December 9, 2024, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) introduced its updated Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025, which serves as a comprehensive guideline for the diagnosis and management of diabetes and prediabetes. This pivotal document reflects recent scientific research and clinical findings, offering healthcare professionals robust tools to help patients manage their conditions more effectively.

Key Updates

The 2025 standards incorporate numerous significant updates that target both adults and children affected by diabetes. Among the most notable adjustments are:
1. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): The updated guidelines now recommend considering the use of CGMs for adults with type 2 diabetes who are on glucose-lowering treatments that do not include insulin. This is particularly crucial for managing blood sugar levels more accurately.
2. Medications Unavailability: The ADA has provided clear guidance on how to proceed when essential medications are unavailable, such as during shortages. This ensures doctors can continue offering effective care without disruption.
3. Comprehensive Use of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Besides weight loss, these medications are now recognized for their potential benefits in promoting heart and kidney health, highlighting their multifaceted advantages.
4. Weight Management: New recommendations emphasize the importance of continuing weight management pharmacotherapy even after weight loss goals have been met. This could aid long-term health maintenance for individuals struggling with obesity.
5. Liver Disease Treatment: Guidance on treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) using thyroid hormone receptor-beta agonists has been expanded, enabling better management of liver complications.
6. Genetic Screening: The guidelines now emphasize the importance of using antibody-based screenings for diagnosing presymptomatic type 1 diabetes in individuals with a family history or known genetic predisposition.
7. Recreational Cannabis: The standards have introduced advice on the judicious use of recreational cannabis for people with type 1 diabetes and those at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), marking a progressive approach to disease management.
8. Pregnancy and Medication Safety: Updates include identifying medications that may pose risks during pregnancy and providing guidance on tailoring care plans appropriately.
9. Nutrition Recommendations: Expanded nutritional guidelines encourage patterns that emphasize plant-based proteins, high fiber intake, and overall metabolic goals, thereby supporting a healthier lifestyle overall.

Empowering Healthcare Professionals

According to Dr. Nuha El Sayed, senior vice president of health care improvement at the ADA, these latest guidelines are designed to empower healthcare professionals by equipping them with evidence-based strategies tailored to enhance patient outcomes. Updates also spotlight the importance of water intake over sugary drinks and the moderation of non-nutritive sweeteners, all while emphasizing effective resistance training for individuals undergoing weight management treatments.

ADA’s Ongoing Commitment

The ADA continuously updates its recommendations through its Professional Practice Committee (PPC), which consists of experts across various relevant fields including physicians, nurse practitioners, and dietitians. Endorsements from organizations such as the American College of Cardiology and the American Geriatrics Society underscore the significance and reliability of the 2025 standards.

Improving the quality of life for those with diabetes remains a core mission of the ADA. Charles