Diabetes Flashcards
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that causes hyperglycaemia but also affects the metabolism of fats and proteins. Diabetes leads to the development of long-term complications and associated morbidity.
What is the pathology of T1DM?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition where there is total loss of insulin production from the pancreatic B-cells. Insulin is essential for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
What is the pathology of T2DM
In type 2 diabetes mellitus the pancreas may be producing greater quantities of insulin but because of insulin resistance the body struggles to use it. In the long-term the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin may wear out.
Treatments are aimed at reducing insulin resistance (e.g. through weight reduction, exercise and with medication such as metformin), increasing insulin production (sulphonylureas) or by providing exogenous insulin by injection.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition whereby good glycaemic control can be lost with time despite treatment which have worked in the past. Treatment of type 2 diabetes focused on reducing cardiovascular risk and improving glycaemic control, and can be either lifestyle changes or lifestyle changes and medication.
What are symptoms of diabetes?
How do these differ between T1DM and T2DM?
Common Symptoms:
* Polyuria (urine amount)
* Polydipsia (thirst)
* Raised glucose levels
* Tiredness
* Slower healing
* Blurred vision
* Genital infections
T1DM:
* Fast onset
* Ketoacidosis - sweet smell in breath
* Unexplained weight-loss
* Low/no insulin concentration
* Younger onset
* First degree relative increases likelihood
T2DM:
* Insulin high (normal), glucose high
* Overweight
* Slow onset
* Elder onset - increased risk with increase age
* Runs in family
What are diagnostic tests for diabetes and results?
Diagnostic test results indicative of diabetes mellitus:
- Fasting venous plasma glucose ≥7mmol/L
- Venous plasma glucose ≥11.1mmol/L two hours after 75g of oral glucose (glucose tolerance test)
- A random blood glucose >11.1mmol/L in someone who is symptomatic
Diagnostic tests can also be diagnosed from glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥48mmol/L. HbA1c is a measure of blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months. Although it can be used for diagnosis in some circumstances it is not suitable for various groups of patients including those suspected of having type 1 diabetes and in pregnant women where more immediate assessment is indicated). It is not recommended in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease or HIV.
HbA1c is routinely used in the evaluation of control in patients known to have diabetes. The patient does not need to fast to measure an accurate HbA1c and it can be taken at any time of the day.
What diagnostic tests and results could indicate patients at risk of developing T2DM?
What are complications of diabetes?
Are these micro or macrovascular?
The long-term complications which develop from diabetes are often divided into microvascular (affecting the small blood vessels) and macrovascular (affecting the larger blood vessels) conditions. The complications of diabetes have a huge impact on quality of life and are leading causes of disability and mortality.
What are signs of diabetic ketoacidosis?
DKA develops when your body doesn’t have enough insulin to allow blood sugar into your cells for use as energy.
Signs and symptoms:
- Rapid weight loss
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Stomach pain
- Fast and deep breathing
- Sleepiness
- Sweet smell to breath
- Sweet or metalic taste in mouth
- Different odour to sweat or urine
What are HbA1c targets for diabetes?
* T1DM?
* T2DM (non-hypoglycaemics)
* T2DM (hypoglycaemic)
* T2DM (HbA1c >58mmol/mol)
For type 1 diabetes, an HbA1c is <58mmol/mol is recommended, although NICE guidelines suggest patients should be supported to aim for an HbA1c of 48mmol/mol or lower.
For type 2 diabetes, NICE recommends a target of 48mmol/mol for patients who manage their condition with diet and lifestyle or diet and lifestyle and a single drug that is not associated with hypoglycaemia. The recommended target rises to 53mmol/mol if the single drug is associated with hypoglycaemia. NICE suggests intensifying treatment when the HbA1c is >58mmol/mol and resetting the target HbA1c to 53mmol/mol when multiple drugs are used.
Describe monitoring in diabetes
HbA1C
* Every 3 months until stable. Then 6 monthly there after.
Each patient should be seen at least annually. Monitoring which should be done is:
HbA1c
Urea and electrolytes
Lipids
LFTs
RFTs (eGFR)
Albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) - to detect microalbuminium
Blood pressure
Height, Wt, BMI
Diet
Smoking
Exercise
Erectile dysfunction
Basic feet check
Retinal screening
Monitoring in T2DM Is not routinely reccomended for patients who are managed with lifestyle and/or oral agents (except sulphonylureas).
What Lifestyle advice could be given to patients with diabetes?
- Exercise- moderate-vigourous aerobic exercise 2.5h each week plus muslce strengthening
- Smoking - stop
- Weight - loosing weight to achieve healthy BMI can reduce HbA1c
- Alcohol - in moderation and consider sugar/caloris
Diet:
* Choose low GI carbohydrates
* If over weight reduce portionsizes
* Salt in take less than 6g a day
* Reduce sugar and saturated fat
* Replace refined carbohydrate with wholegrain foods.
* Increasing foods, including veg that are high in fibre.
What are examples of drug classes used in T2DM?
- Bigunites (e.g. metformin)
- Sulphonylureas
- DPP-4 Inhibitors
- SGLT2 inhibitors
- Pioglitazone
- Non-insulin injectables (GLP-1 agonists)
MOA of metformin
Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production, increases insulin sensitivity by improving peripheral glucose uptake and use by the muscles and by delaying intestinal glucose absorption.
Where is Metformin place in treatment for T2DM?
first choice for initial treatment for all patients, due to its positive effect on weight loss, reduced risk of hypoglycaemic events and the additional long-term cardiovascular benefits associated with its use
T or F
Metformin causes hypoglycaemia?
F - alone it does not. Combined with other antidiabetic agents it may.
What is the dosing regimen of metformin (both IR and MR)
Metformin should be given with or after meals. Metformin should be introduced slowly to improve tolerance:
IR:
- 500mg OD in week 1
- 500mg BD in week 2
- 500mg TD in week 3
- 1g BD in week 4 (or slower)
- 500 mg with breakfast for at least 1 week, then 500 mg with breakfast and evening meal for at least 1 week, then 500 mg with breakfast, lunch, and evening meal thereafter; maximum dose 2 g daily (in divided doses).
MR:
- Initially 500 mg once daily, then increased if necessary up to 2 g once daily, dose increased gradually, every 10–15 days, dose to be taken with evening meal.
- Alternatively, dose increased to 1 g twice daily, dose to be taken with meals, alternative dose only to be used if control not achieved with once daily dose regimen. If control is still not achieved, then change to standard-release tablets.
Although metformin is licensed up to a maximum daily dose of 3g daily, the usual maximum is 1g BD as there is little benefit above this dose.
Metformin has a moderate effect on HbA1c and is licensed for use with other antidiabetic medications as dual or triple therapy.
Why is it important to monitor renal function in patients on metformin?
What are the limits for GFR?
- Renal function should be checked before prescribing and at least annually thereafter. Metformin is contraindicated if GFR <30mL/min. The maximum recommended dose is 1g per day if GFR is 30-44mL/min and 2g per day if 45-59mL/min.
- AKI and reduced renal function are amongst the risk factors for lactic acidosis – a rare side effect of metformin.
- Patients taking metformin should be counselled on the sick day rules and provided with the wallet size reminder card.
Why is it important to monitor renal function in patients on metformin?
What are the limits for GFR?
- Renal function should be checked before prescribing and at least annually thereafter. Metformin is contraindicated if GFR <30mL/min. The maximum recommended dose is 1g per day if GFR is 30-44mL/min and 2g per day if 45-59mL/min.
- Avoid if <30mL/min
- AKI and reduced renal function are amongst the risk factors for lactic acidosis – a rare side effect of metformin.
- Patients taking metformin should be counselled on the sick day rules and provided with the wallet size reminder card.
- Determine renal function before treatment and at least annually (at least twice a year in patients with additional risk factors for renal impairment, or if deterioration suspected).
What are common side-effects of metformin?
How can side-effects be minimised?
Common side-effects include nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. These generally improve as treatment continues. Some patients however will need a dose reduction, but where possible treatment should be continued. Slow titration can help minimise GI side-effects.
Metformin has been showed to result in neutral or small weight-loss.
Can also cause vitamin B12 deficency
What are examples of sulphonylureas?
Examples include: gliclazide, glipizide, glimepiride
Where do sulphonylureas fit in the treatment of T2DM?
These are an alternative first-line choice, particularly if there are osmotic symptoms or if the patient is intolerant of, or has CI to metformin.
MOA Sulphonylureas
These stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cells and therefore rely on some residual beta cell function.
Side-effects of sulphonylureas
- HYPOGLYCAEMIA
- WEIGHT GAIN (1-5kg) - probably due to increased plasma-insulin concentrations
- abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea
Which sulphonylureas are at higher risk of hypoglycaemia?
All SU’s are associated with the risk of hypoglycaemia. Longer acting SU’s (e.g. glibenclamide) have a greater risk than short acting (e.g. gliclazide). Patients should have access to self-blood glucose monitoring and should test at times relevant to driving.