Complications of diabetes Flashcards
What causes the chronic impact of diabetes?
The development of macrovascular and microvascular complications.
What factors are associated with risk of diabetes complications?
Length of diabetes duration
Control of diabetes
Genetics
What is microvascular disease related to?
Duration and severity of hyperglycemia
Diabetes is the most frequent cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74
TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
Diabetic neuropathy is the most common cause of lower limb amputation
TRUE or FALSE
TRUE
What is the most common cause of death in diabetics?
Myocardial infarctions
What percentage of ESRD patients are diabetics?
40%
Which organs are primarily affected by microvascular complications?
Eye
Kidney
Neuropathy
Which organs are primarily affected by macrovascular complications?
Brain
Heart
Extremities
What are microvascular complications?
Small blood vessel damage which occurs when blood glucose levels have been persistently high over a long period of time
What are the consequences of microvascular complications in the eye?
Retinopathy
Cataracts
What are the consequences of microvascular complications in the kidneys?
Nephropathy
What are the consequences of microvascular complications in the feet?
Neuropathy
What are the consequences of microvascular complications in the sexual organs?
Erectile dysfunction
High risk pregnancies
What are the consequences of microvascular complications in the digestive system?
Autonomic neuropathy
Gastroparesis
What percentage of type I diabetics present with diabetic retinopathy?
90%
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Proliferative complication caused by the growth of new blood vessels to compensate for poor blood supply
What is the main treatment used to prevent microvascular complications?
Intensive therapy to maintain blood glucose at normal healthy levels
What are macrovascular complications?
Caused by damage of the large blood vessels
What are the risk factors of macrovascular complications?
Occurs as a result of diabetes, raised cholesterol, high blood pressure and smoking
What are the consequences of macrovascular complications on the heart?
Angina
Heart attacks
What are the consequences of macrovascular complications on the circulation?
Atherosclerosis
What are the consequences of macrovascular complications on the brain?
Stroke
Cerebrovascular disease
What are the main types of management used to control diabetes?
Assessment of blood glucose
Self-monitoring
Blood-glucose-lowering therapies
Management of blood lipids
CV risk assessment
Blood pressure management
What interventions have led to a reduction in the incidence of diabetes complications?
Regular screening
Better treatments for diabetes
Lower targets for blood glucose
What is the best therapy to treat diabetes?
Aggressive therapy
What does diabetic control refer to?
The extent to which metabolism in the diabetic person differs from that in the non-diabetic person
Focused on blood glucose measurements
What is classified as good glucose control?
Near normal blood glucose concentrations throughout the day
How is glucose control assessed?
HbA1c
What are the different types of insulin available?
Short-acting
Rapid-acting
Intermediate-acting
Long-acting
Where are the areas of the body where insulin is absorbed the fastest?
Lower stomach
Thighs
Where are the areas of the body where insulin is absorbed the slowest?
Buttocks
Back of the arm
What is hyperglycaemia?
State of severe uncontrolled diabetes
Caused by insulin deficiency
What is hypoglycaemia?
State of low blood glucose levels
Common side-effect of insulin treatment
What are insulin delivery systems?
Pumps that deliver continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions
Infuse insulin at variable rates
Mimics non-diabetic insulin secretion through basal rate and is boosted in meal times
What types of diabetes medications are available?
Glucose-lowering tablets
Glucose-lowering injections
Insulin
