15 - Type I diabetes mellitus Flashcards

1
Q

Name a form of type I diabetes that presents late.

A

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Can T2DM present in childhood?

A

yes, this is becoming more common with the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Diabetic ketoacidosis is more common in T _ DM, but can present in both type of diabetes

A

1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is meant by monogenic diabetes? In what type of diabetes do they present?
State two monogenic causes of diabetes.

A

single gene mutation causes β-cell disfunction

present in both T1 and T2 DM

2 causes:
Mitochondrial Diabetes
Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What conditions and triggers are required for the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus?

A

Environmental trigger in the presence of a genetic predisposition
-> leads to autoimmune attack of islet cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which type of diabetes has a bigger genetic component?

A

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What can be measured in the blood to give an indication of insulin function?

A

C-peptide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the pathogenesis of T1DM.

A

You get gradual autoimmune destruction of beta cells resulting in gradually reducing levels of insulin (and C-peptide)
One of the first signs will be the loss of first phase insulin
There will be eventual destruction of all beta cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the presentation/onset of T1DM.

A

rapid onset and patients present very unwell (especially in children)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why is T1DM described as a ‘relapsing-remitting’ disease?

A

Over time the beta cell mass appears to reduce, then stabilise, then reduce again
There is a theory that this is due to the imbalance in effector T-cells and regulatory T-cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the importance of the autoimmune basis of T1DM?

A

Increased prevalence of other autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the histological features of T1DM?

A

Lymphocyte infiltration of beta cells (which destroys the beta cells) (Tc cells)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

On which chromosome is the HLA found?

A

Chromosome 6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which alleles convey a risk of diabetes? Which of these alleles is associated with the most significant risk?

A

DR alleles

DR3 and DR4 = significant risk

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are diabetic markers used for?

A

can be measured but won’t change the course of treatment

can be used to help differentiate between type 1 and 2 diabetes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the two most significant markers of diabetes?

A

Islet Cell Antibodies (ICA)

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies (GADA)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

State some symptoms of T1DM.

A
Polyuria
Nocturia
Polydipsia
Blurring of vision 
Thrush (due to increased risk of infection)
Weight loss 
Fatigue
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the signs of T1DM?

A
Dehydration
Cachexia
Hyperventilation (kussmaul breathing)
Smell of ketones (on breath)
Glycosuria
Ketonuria
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the triglycerides in adipocytes broken down to?

A

Glycerol

Fatty Acids

20
Q

What does insulin have a negative effect on? (4)

A

Hepatic glucose output (HGO)
Glycerol release from the fat cells
Protein breakdown in muscle
Ketone body generation by the liver

21
Q

What does insulin have a positive effect on?

A

Glucose uptake by tissues

22
Q

State 4 other hormones that increase hepatic glucose output.

A

Catecholamines
Cortisol
Growth Hormone
Glucagon

23
Q

Describe how insulin deficiency leads to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

A

Insulin has a suppressive effect on hepatic ketone body generation.
In insulin deficiency, fatty acids from the breakdown of triglycerides, travel to the liver where they are used to produce ketone bodies.

24
Q

What is a defining feature of insulin deficiency?

A

Ketone Bodies

NOTE: some cases of T2DM can also get DKA but this is mainly a complication of T1DM

25
Q

State some long-term complications of T1DM (4)

A

Neuropathy
Nephropathy
Retinopathy
Vascular Disease

26
Q

Describe the dietary changes that are recommended in T1DM.

A
  • reduce calories as fat
  • reduce calories as refined carbs
  • increased calories as complex carbs
  • increase soluble fibre
  • balance distribution of food over the course of the day with regular meals and snacks
27
Q

What is the main treatment for T1DM?

A

Exogenous insulin

28
Q

Describe the features of the insulin that is given with meals.

A

Short-acting

Human Insulin of insulin analogues

29
Q

Name an insulin analogue that is given with meals

A

Lipsro
Aspart
Glulisine

30
Q

Describe the features of background insulin.

A

Long-acting

Non-C bound to zinc or protamine

31
Q

Name an insulin analogue that is given for background level maintenance

A

Glargine
Detemir
Degludec

32
Q

What do insulin pumps do?

A

Continuous insulin delivery
There are pre-programmed basal rates and boluses for meals
But these DO NOT measure blood glucose so the feedback loop isn’t complete

33
Q

Who uses insulin pumps?

A

for patients who have used glucose pens, but still don’t have a good glucose profile and may suffer from hypoglycaemic attacks

34
Q

Describe the use of islet cell transplants.

A

Islet cells can be harvested from donors and injected into the liver of a patient with diabetes
They must be on immunosuppressants for life

35
Q

How is capillary monitoring done and what does it give a measure of?

A

Prick the finger and test the blood drawn
It is a measure of venous blood glucose (most accurate)
NOTE: you can also get continuous monitors, which aren’t as accurate (need to be calibrated with capillary glucose)

36
Q

What is HbA1c level used to gage?

A

Glycaemic control over the past 3 months (red cell life span = 120 days)

37
Q

What HbA1c level are T1DM patients aiming for?

A

< 7%

38
Q

When might the HbA1c level not be accurate?

A

In any case of increased haemoglobin turnover e.g. haemolytic anaemia and haemoglobinopathies

39
Q

What are the main acute complications of T1DM?

A

Hyperglycaemia
Metabolic acidosis
diabetic ketoacidosis

40
Q

DKA tends to be in patients with T1DM, however, some subsets of T2DM also get ketoacidosis. What are these subsets?

A

Black and Asian patients with T2DM

May be due to pancreatic insufficiency at a time of stress

41
Q

Define hypoglycaemia.

A

Blood glucose < 3.6 mmol/L

42
Q

Define severe hypoglycaemia.

A

Any level of hypoglycaemia that requires another person to treat it

43
Q

What can recurrent hypos result in?

A

Loss of warning (hypoglycaemia unawareness)

This can lead to poor glycaemic control

44
Q

At what times during the day do hypos tend to happen?

A

Pre-lunch

Nocturnal

45
Q

What can trigger a hypo?

A
Unaccustomed exercise 
Missed meals 
Inadequate snacks
Alcohol (may make you unaware of hypo symptoms)
Inappropriate insulin regime
46
Q

State some signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

A
Signs and symptoms are due to increased sympathetic activity and due to impaired CNS function 
Palpitations 
Tremor 
Sweating 
Pallor/cold extremities
Anxiety 
Drowsiness
Confusion
Altered behaviour 
Focal neurology 
Coma
47
Q

How is hypoglycaemia treated?

A

Oral glucose
Complex carbohydrate (to maintain blood glucose after initial treatment)
Parenteral – if consciousness impaired
• IV dextrose (e.g. 10% glucose infusion)
• 1 mg glucagon IM