Diabetes Flashcards
What is diabetes?
Group of metabolic disorders in which persistent hyperglycaemia is caused by:
deficient insulin secretion or
resistance to the action of insulin.
What are the common types of diabetes?
Type 1
Type 2
Gestational
Secondary diabetes (may be caused by pancreatic damage, hepatic cirrhosis, endocrine disease, antiviral, antipsychotics, endocrine)
What is type 1 diabetes?
Absolute insulin deficiency: no or very little endogenous insulin secretory capacity due to destruction of the insulin producing beta cells in the Islet of Langerhans.
What are the typical features of type 1 diabetes?
Hyperglycaemia (random plasma glucose concs > 11mmol/L)
KETOSIS (increase in ketones)
Rapid weight loss
BMI< 25KG/m2
< 50 years old
Personal or family history of autoimmune disease
What is type 2 diabetes?
Chronic metabolic condition characterised by insulin resistance.
Insufficient pancreatic insulin production occurs progressively over time.
Commonly associated with obesity, physical inactivity etc.
What are the aims of treatment for type 1 diabetes?
Using insulin regimens to achieve an optimal level of blood glucose control while avoiding or reducing frequency of having hypo episodes.
Minimise risk of macro/microvascular complications.
What are the treatment aims of type 2 diabetes?
Minimising the long term macro/microvascular complications by effective blood glucose control.
Maintain HbA1C at or below the target value set for each patient.
What are the signs of symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
Shaking and trembling Sweating Pins and needles Hunger Palpitations Occasional headache Double vision Slurring of speech CNS/cognitive issues (confusion, convulsions, unconsciousness, change in behaviour)
What is the initial management of hypoglycaemia IN COMMUNITY ?
1. Initially glucose 10-20g given by mouth in liquid form or sugar (2-4 teaspoons OR 3-6 sugar lumps) Repeat after 10-15 mins is necessary. 2. Non-diet version drinks: Original lucozade energy 110ml Coca-cola 100ml Ribena blackcurrent 19ml (to be diluted)
Quick acting carbs products: Glucogel, Dextrogel, GSF-syrup, Rapilose gel.
What is the management of hypoglycaemia after the initial management IN COMMUNITY ?
Sustainable snacks: sandwiches, fruits, biscuits, milk or the next meal if due (to prevent the blood glucose from falling again)
Is chocolate, high fat and sugary snacks a good choice for hypoglycaemia management IN COMMUNITY?
No,
Has higher fat content so glucose takes longer to have an effect.
What is the management of hypoglycaemia if patient is nil by mouth/ or unconscious IN COMMUNITY?
Glucagon 1mg IM or SC injection
What are the requirements for drivers with diabetes?
Tell the DVLA
Depends on their treatment, the type of license they hold, any diabetic complications including hypoglycaemia.
What type of patients MUST notify the DVLA about their diabetes?
Patients treated with insulin (due the higher risk of causing hypoglycaemia).
SU, nateglinde and repaglinde: carry a greater risk of hypoglycaemia, more monitoring required.
What is the DVLA advice for patients on insulin?
Always carry blood glucose meter and testing strips when driving.
Check BG concs no more than 2 hours before driving and every 2 hours while driving.
More frequent self monitoring required for greater risk of hypoglycaemia (after physical activity, altered meal routine etc)
Ensure there is a supply of fast acting carbs in the car.
What should the BG always be while driving?
5 mmol/L or over
What should be done if the BG falls below or equal to 5mmol/L? (DVLA)
Take a snack
What should happen if BG < 4mmol/l or war ning signs of hypoglycaemia while driving?
Do not drive.
If already driving: stop car in a safe place.
Switch of engine and remove the keys from ignition.
Move over to the passengers seat.
Eat or drink a suitable source of sugar.
WAIT 45 mins once BG has returned to normal.
Do not drive if hypoglycaemia awareness has been lost
Medical report needed to confirm that its been regained.
What is the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) used for?
- Used mainly for diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance.
- Used to establish presence of gestational diabetes
- Can be used for those who have less severe symptoms and a BG that does not establish or exclude diabetes (e.g. impaired fasting glucose)
How is the OGTT performed?
Measure the BG concs after fasting, then 2 hours after drinking a standard anhydrous glucose drink (Polycal or Rapilose OGTT oral solution)
What does HbA1c test measure and are there any requirements?
It reflects the average plasma glucose over the previous 2-3 months and provides a good indicator of glycaemic control.
- It can be performed at any time of the day
- It does not require any special preparation like fasting
What is the units that Hba1c is expressed in?
mmol/mol
What is the Hba1c value for a non diabetic patient?
Less than 42mmol/mol (<6.0%)
What is the Hba1c value for a pre diabetic patient?
42-47mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%)
What is the Hba1c value for a diabetic patient?
More than or equal to 48mmol/mol (>=6.5%)
What is the target hba1c for a diabetic patient?
48 mmol/mol (6.5%) and less
For patients managed by diet and lifestyle alone or
For patients on a single anti diabetic drug not associated with hypoglycaemia e.g Metformin.
What group of patients cannot be tested with the hba1c?
Children Pregnancy Women that are 2 months after birth Patients that have had symptoms of diabetes for less than 2 months. High diabetes risk and are acutely ill Medication that causes hyperglycaemia Acute pancreatic damage End stage CKD HIV infection
What is the hba1c test used for?
Monitoring glycaemic control in type 1 and 2.
Diagnoses type 2 diabetes only
Do not used to test type 1.
Also a reliable predictor of micro and microvascular complications and mortality.
In what patients should the hba1c test be interpreted with caution?
Patients with abnormal haemoglobin
Anaemia
Altered red cell life span
Recent blood transfusion.
How often do you measure hba1c?
Type 1: every 3-6 months (measure more frequently if BG changes rapidly)
Type 2: every 3- 6 months until hba1c and medication is stable, then reduce monitoring to every 6 months.
in what patients is hba1c monitoring invalid?
What other alternative testing can be done?
Patients with abnormal or lack of haemoglobin
Disturbed erythrocyte turnover.
Frutosamine estimation (less accurate than hba1c) measures all plasma proteins over the previous 2-3 weeks.
What are the BG ranges before meals for, non-diabetics, type 1 and 2 diabetics?
Non-diabetic: 4-5.9mmol/l
Type 2: 4-7mmol/l
Type 1: 4-7mmol/l
(When waking 5-7 mmol/l)
What are the BG ranges for 90 mins after meals with non-diabetics, type 1 and 2?
Non-diabetic: < 7.8mmol/l
Type 2: < 8.5mmol/l
Type 1: 5-9mmol/l
What type of patients should aim for a hba1c for 53mmol/mol (7.0%)?
Patients prescribed a single drug associated with hypoglycaemia (SU, NATEGLINIDE, REPAGLINDE)
Patients on 2 or more anti-diabetic drugs.
What initial advice would be given to a patient that has a hba1c higher than normal?
Lifestyle advice and adherence for 3 months
What is the initial treatment of type 2 diabetes and the dose?
Metformin
500mg OD, with breakfast for 7/7, then 500mg BD with breakfast and evening meals for 7/7, then 500mg TDS with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Max of 2g per day.
What is the first intensification of type 2 diabetes treatment if hba1c rises to 58mmol/mol?
Consider dual therapy with:
MET + DPP-4i (gliptins)
MET + PIOGLITAZONE
MET + SU
MET + SGLT-2i (flozins)
What is the second intensification for treatment of type 2 diabetes hba1c rises to 58mmol/mol?
Consider triple therapy:
MET + DPP-4i + SU
MET + PIO + SU
MET + PIO/SU + SGLT-2i
Insulin based treatment
Do not use piotigazone and dapaglifozin together
What is the 3rd option if triple therapy is not effective, CI, not tolerated? And for which patient groups?
MET + SU + GLP1-receptor agonist
For Adults with type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 35 or more AND specific psychological OR medical problems associated with obesity.
Or patients with a BMI of less than 35 AND insulin therapy have severe occupational implications OR if weight loss would benefit other obesity related co-morbidities.
What is the treatment of type 2 diabetes hba1c rises to 48mmol/mol when Metformin is CI or not tolerated?
Consider one of the following:
DDP-4i, PIO or SU
SGLT-2i (if others are not appropriate)
What is the first intensification for treatment of type 2 diabetes hba1c rises to 58mmol/mol when Metformin is CI?
DUAL THERAPY:
DPP-4i + PIO
DPP-4i + SU
PIO + SU
What is the second intensification for treatment of type 2 diabetes hba1c rises to 58mmol/mol WHEN Metformin is CI?
Consider insulin based treatment
what is recommended for insulin treatment for type 2 diabetes?
State alternatives?
NPH (ISOPHANE INSULIN)- OD or BD
NPH (Humulin I and Insuman) administered separated or as a biphasic mixture (Novomix and Humalog)
Appropriate for those with a hba1c of 75mmol/mol (9.0%)
Alternatives:Long acting insulin e.g insulin determir (Levemir) or glargine (Lantus) OD DOSING- patients may prefer this.
What is preferred? Biphasic prep that includes human analogue insulin OR Human soluble insulin? And for which patients?
Human analogue insulin is preferred.
For patients that prefer injecting insulin immediately before a meal, if hypoglycaemia is a problem or if BG concs rise a lot after meals.
What other anti diabetics drugs can be given with insulin
Metformin
SGLT-2i
GLP1-RECEPTOR AGONIST (under specialist care and careful MDT monitoring)
What is the mechanism of Metformin?
Decreases gluconeogenesis and increases peripheral utilisation of glucose.
Acts only in the presence of endogenous insulin.
What are the CI of Metformin?
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Lactic acidosis
Dyspnea, SOB, asthenia (lack of energy), hypothermia
Side effects of Metformin
GI side effects (abdo pain , diarrhoea, N+V): reducing the dose, slow increase in dose or m/r preps can help.
Decreased appetite and anorexia. Long term use: VIT B12 deficiency Renal impairment (AKI)
What are the monitoring requirements for Metformin
Renal function before treatment and annually (avoid if eGFR <30mol/min in adults and children)
Reduce dose in moderate renal impairment
Measure vit b12
What is the mechanism of action for Dipeptidylpeptidase- 4 inhibitors?
Inhibits DPP-4 to increase insulin secretion and lower glucagon secretion, preventing incretin breakdown.
Main side effects of DPP-4i?
Pancreatitis, GI upsets and peripheral oedema.
Not associated with weight gain and has a lower incidence of hypoglycaemia than SU.
Increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections with sitagliptin
Increased risk of headache and liver impairment with vildagliptin (jaundice, pale stools, dark urine, N+V ETC)
What are the MONITORING requirements for DPP4i?
Vilagliptin: liver function before treatment, every 3 months for the 1st year and periodically thereafter.
Pancreatitis: STOP treatment if acute pancreatitis develops (severe abdo pain, N+V)