Diabetes Flashcards
How is it thought that the pancreatic beta cells are progressively lost in type 1 diabetes?
A genetic disposition interacts with an environmental trigger to cause auto-immune destruction (killer lymphocytes, macrophages and antibodies) of the beta cells.
What genetic markers is the genetic predisposition in type 1 diabetes associated with?
HLA DR3 and HLA DR4
Why is there a suspected viral link to type 1 diabetes?
There is strong seasonal variation in onset.
In type 1 diabetes the classic presentation is a young person with a recent viral infection and which triad of symptoms?
- Polyuria
- Polydypsia
- Weight loss
Why is Polyuria a symptom of diabetes?
In diabetic individuals their kidneys are filtering higher than normal levels of glucose. This is normally fully reabsorbed in the isoosmotic proximal tubules of nephrons. At these high glucose levels, however, not all glucose is reabsorbed. This puts an osmotic pressure on the nephrons. The tubules reabsorb less water in order to maintain the isoosmotic character of the tubules, causing more water and the glucose to be lost in the urine.
Why do untreated type 1 diabetics feel thirsty?
- They are losing a lot of water in their urine.
2. The osmotic effects of gluose on the first centres.
Why do untreated type 1 diabetics experience weight loss?
The lack of insulin means their bodies cannot utilise as much glucose from the blood and therefore metabolise fat and protein stores.
What is the affect of the lack of insulin on skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and the liver?
- Skeletal muscle - decreased uptake of glucose by the muscle and decreased storage of glucose as glycogen
- Adipose tissue - decreased uptake of glucose
- Liver - decreased storage of glucose as glycogen and increased gluconeogenesis
If untreated what life-threatening crisis can type 1 diabetics experience?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
How do type 2 diabetics present?
Typically older and overweight.
Tend to retain approx. 50% of beta-cells at diagnosis.
Insidious onset, can have triad of symptoms but often variable symptoms: tiredness, persistent infections (typically thrush of genitalia), slow healing minor skin damage or visual problems.
Why might a type 1 diabetic suddenly have to increase their insulin injections?
Due to the effects of infection or trauma.
What does a type 1 diabetic treatment regime compose of?
Insulin injections (varying time courses of action)
Dietary management
Regular exercise
How can type 2 diabetes be managed?
- Lifestyle factors: diet and exercise
- Oral hypoglycaemic drugs:
Metformin - reduces gluconogenesis
Sulfonylureases - increase insulin secretion from beta cell and decrease insulin resistance - Insulin injections
What are macrovascular complication of diabetes?
Increased risk of stroke
Increased risk of MI
Poor circulation to the periphery - especially the feet
What are microvascular complications of diabetes?
Diabetic eye disease
Diabetic kidney disease
Diabetic feet
Diabetic neuropathy
Explain what diabetic eye disease is
Problems to vision caused by diabetes. The most important problem is retinopathy - damage to the small blood vessels in the eye. Damaged blood vessels can leak protein exudates onto the retina and can rupture causing bleeding in the eye. Proliferation reti opathy can also occur, when new blood vessel are formed which are very weak and prone to bleeding. Glaucoma can also happen as high levels of glucose change the osmotic potential of the lens and more water flow in. Cataracts can also develop.
Explain what diabetic kidney disease (Nephropathy) is
The kidney is affected by:
- Damage to the glomeruli
- Poor blood supply due to changes in kidney blood vessels
- Damage caused by infections of the urinary tract - which are more common in diabetes
What is an early sign of nephropathy?
An increase in the amount of protein in the urine (microalbuminuria).
What is diabetic neuropathy?
In diabetes damage to the peritheral nerves occurs by a number of ways. This has a variety of effects: loss of sensation, changes to sensation and changed due to the alteration of the function of the autonomic nervous system.
What is meant by the term ‘diabetic feet’?
Damage to the nerve supply, blood supply and increased risk of infection make the feet of diabetics particularly vulnerable. In the past loss of feet due to gangrene was not uncommon. Diabetics need to take care and keep their feet in good condition.
Clinical features of type 1 diabetes
Childhood Sudden onset Severe symptoms Recent weight loss Usually lean
Biochemical features of type 1 diabetes
Spontaneous ketosis
No C-peptide
Markers for auto-immunity
Clinical features of type 2 diabetes
Middle age Gradual onset May be few acute symptoms, but long-term chronic effects can be severe Often no weight loss Usually obese
Biochemical features of type 2 diabetes
Non-ketotic
C-peptide detectable
No markers for auto-immunity
Explain the clinical consequences of severe protein deficiency in children.
Protein deficiency results in an inadequate intake of essential amino acids. This leads to a reduced rate of protein synthesis and a reduced rate of synthesis of other nitrogen containing compounds. The signs and symptoms could include:
- Growth failure- height and weight below normal
- Impaired physical development (tiredness, weakness and poor exercise tolerance due to reduced muscle mass)
- Impaired mental developmental (low IQ)
- Negative nitrogen balance - Nin
What are the group of metabolic disorders. diabetes mellitis, characterised by?
Chronic hyperglycaemia due to insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or both
What are the characteristics of Type 1 diabetes?
Commonest onset in young
Characterised by the progressive loss of beta-cells of all or most of the beta-cells
Rapidly fatal if not treated
MUST be treated with insulin
What are the characteristics of Type 2 diabetes?
Affects a large number of usually older individuals
Characterised by SLOW progressive loss of beta-cells along with disorders of insulin secretion and tissue resistance to insulin.
May be present a long time before diagnosis
May not initially need treatment with insulin but sufferers usually progress to a state where they eventually do