5.2 Diabetes Mellitus Flashcards
What stimulates insulin secretion?
In response to:
Increase glucose
Incretin (GLP-1, GIP)
PS activity (M3)
What is he plasma half life of insulin?
5 minutes
What inhibits insulin release?
Decrease plasma glucose levels
Cortisol
Sympathetic activity at alpha2 receptors
What is the role of insulin?
Inhibition of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis
Increasing glycogen stores
Promote uptake of glucose into tissues
Describe the pattern of secretion of insulin
- secreted into the blood even during fasting to prevent receptor downregulation
- biphasic pattern of insulin release due to rate and extent of plasma glucose concentration following a meal
What are common signs and symptoms of T1DM?
Polydipsia Polyuria Weight loss Fatigue/lethargy Blurred vision Hyperglycaemia
What test result are indicative of T1DM?
Fasting glucose of more than 6.9mmol/L
Random plasma glucose greater than 11mmol/L
Plasma or urine ketones in presence of hyperglycaemia.
HbA1c of greater than 48mmol/mol
What does HbA1c represent?
The percentage of RBC with a sugar coated ( glycated haemoglobin). Reflects the average blood sugar over the last 10-12 weeks mmol/mol
What is the biochemical triad of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Hyperglycaemia
Ketonaemia
Acidosis
When should diabetic ketoacidosis be suspected?
Blood glucose of great than 11mmol/L
AND
polydipsia, polyuria, abdominal pain, V+D, lethargy, confusion, visual disturbance, acetonic breath, symptoms of shock
What are the precipitating factors for diabetic ketoacidosis?
Infection, trauma, non-adherence to insulin treatment, DDIs
How is DK treated?
I.V. Infusion of fluids with Potassium and then
I.V. Infusion of soluble insulin.
When might a patient be in DK and euglycaemic?
When T1DM haven’t eaten for a long time
What are the different types of therapeutic insulin’s used?
Porcine
Bovine
Human insulin (recombinant DNA or enzymatic modification of porcine)
Why must insulin be given parenterally?
As insulin is a protein and will be digested in the gut so oral administration not suitable
How is insulin usually administered?
- Subcutaneous injection into adipose
- I.V. Injection used in emergency
What methods are used to reduce the absorption of insulin?
- Protamine and/or zinc complex with natural (bovine/porcine) insulins – used less now
- Soluble (neutral) insulin forms hexamers – delaying absorption from site of injection. [plasma] greatest after 2-3 hr – dosing 15-30 min prior to meals often prescribed
- Insulin analogues – recombinant modifications – a few amino acid changes – changes PK not PD
Why is it important to rotate site of administration of insulin?
Reduce lipodystrophy
What devices are commonly used in insulin administration?
Syringes
Pens
Pumps
Inhalers
What are the adverse effects of insulin?
Hypoglycaemia
Lipodystrophy
What are the contraindications of insulin?
Renal impairment - hypoglycaemia risk
What are the important drug interactions of insulin?
Does of insulin needs increasing with systemic steroids.
Caution with other hypoglycaemic agents
What is basal bolus dosing?
A common dosing schedule for young active T1DM patients. Provides some flexibility. Take 2 insulin medications, 1. Rapid acting bolus 30mins before each meal e.g. aspart 2. Long acting basal once a day e.g. glargine
What is diabulimia?
When a T1DM stops or reduces their insulin to control their weight
Why is insulin administered s.c and not P.o?
As it is a peptide hormone that would be digested in the gut.
What is the difference between [glucose] and HbA1c? What information do they provide?
[glucose] = plasma glucose concentration at that moment in time. Measured in mmol/L HbA1c = glycated haemoglobin, reflects average blood sugar level over last 10-12 weeks mmol/mol
Would you need to increase or decrease insulin dosing in a patient with renal impairment?
In renal impairment the dosing of insulin should be reduced as insulin in excreted through the renal system. Normal dosing could result in hypoglycaemia as the insulin remains for longer
Why does insulin need to be modified or analogues used? How does this change PK properties?
Modified to produce 2 different kinds of insulin analogues. Fast acting bolus (aspart) and slow acting basal (glargine)
Changes the absorption