Diabetes Mellitus Flashcards
What is the relevant epidemiology of diabetes?
4.4 million in the UK
Estimated 1.2million undiagnosed type 2
People of Asian and Black Caribbean descent are 2-4x more likely to have diabetes compared to white populations
90% type 2
8% type 1
2% other forms
What is the epidemiology/genetics of type 1 DM?
Usually diagnosed in childhood
Peak around puberty
Worldwide incidence increasing
10-15% affected 1st degree relative
36% concordance in MZ twins
Lower genetic link than type 2 DM
What is the relevant epidemiology and genetics of Type 2 diabets?
Risk: Age, obesity, FH, ethnicity, sedentary lifestyle, low socio-economic status
Increasing prevalence in under 40s in the UK
40% lifetime risk with 1st degree relative
60-100% concordance in MZ twins
Stronger genetic link than T1
What is the ideal blood glucose range?
4.4 to 6.1 mmol/L
Where is insulin produced?
Beta cells
Islets of langerhans in the pancreas
What is the role of insulin?
Anabolic hormone - reduce blood glucose
Cells in the body absorb glucose from blood
Muscles and liver absorb glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen (glycogenesis)
Where is glucagon produced?
By alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
What is the role of glucagon?
Catabolic -> increase blood glucose
Liver -> glycogenolysis
Liver -> gluconeogenesis -> protein and fats into glucose
What is the key pathophysiology of T1DM?
Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas
No longer able to produce adequate insulin
T cell-mediated response
What is the key presentation of T1DM?
4Ts
Toilet - frequent urination
Thirsty -
Tired
Thinner - weight loss
May also present with diabetic ketoacidosis
At what blood glucose levels can type 1 DM be diagnosed?
Must also have clinical suspicion
Random >=11.1mmol/L
Fasting >=7.0mmol/L
OGTT >=11.1mmol/L
What autoantibodies may be tested for in DM type 1?
Anti-GAD
Anti-islet cell
Anti-insulin
How does serum C peptide relate to insulin?
Connects alpha and beta chains of pro-insulin
Reflects levels of insulin
Not routinely measured
Longer half life than insulin
What are the different aspects of managing T1DM?
Blood glucose monitoring
Subcutaneous insulin
Monitoring dietary carbohydrate intake and ‘carb counting’
Monitoring for complications, both short term and long term.
Patient/carer education
Support and individualised care
Physical activity
Hypoglycemia awareness and management
DKA awareness and ketone monitoring
Optimisation of cardiovascular risk
DVLA /occupational implications
What are the main methods that diabetics monitor their blood glucose?
BM machines - capillary blood glucose
Continuous glucose monitors - conc in interstitial fluid
Who manages the insulin prescription in a MDT for diabetics?
A diabetic specialist nurse
What are the different types of insulin available?
Rapid-acting - ActRapid
Short acting - NovoRapid
Intermediate acting - Humulin 1
Long-acting - Levemir and Lantus
Can be given as combination with rapid and intermediate insulin
Humalog 25
Humalog 50
Novomix 30
Why might diabetics need to contact the DVLA?
When on insulin therapy - risk of Hypos
Needs assessment and medical risk evaluation
What are the three characteristics of insulin?
Onset - lenght of time before reaches bloodstream and stars to lower blood glucose
Peak time - insulin at maximum activity
Duration - how long continues to lower blood glucose
Compare the peak and duration of different types of insulin
What is the once daily regime of insulin?
Long or intermediate acting insulin given at bedtime
Suitable in T2 - combined with oral hypoglycemic drugs
Used if dependent on others for injection
What is the twice daily insulin regime?
Biphasic insulin - before breakfast/evening meals
Assumes three meals a day
Peak action varies with solubility of insulin
Difficult to get glycemic control - risk of hypos
What is the basal bolus insulin regmie?
Long acting insulin at bed for overnight requirements
Combined with rapid/short acting for meals
Most common regime
May suffer hypos between meals and at nigh
Why must the insulin injection site be rotated?
Lipodystrophy - subcuntaneous fat hardens if repeated injected
Prevents insulin absorption
Breifly describe how continuous sub-cut insulin infusions work?
Canula - subcut injection (must be rotated 2-3days)
Pump of rapid acting insulin - continuous low dose (mimic long acting insulin), larger doses bolused for mealtimes and hyperglycemia
Must have back up prescription of insulin pens just in case
What are the pros/cons of a continuous sub-cut insulin infusion?
+ better glycaemic control
+ inc flexibility
+ fewer injections
- technical difficulties (must have back up prescription of insulin pens)
- wearing a device
- blockages in the line
What is a closed loop system for insulin control for diabetics?
Continous blood glucose monitoring measures glucose and sends signal to glucose pump (Bluetooth)
Glucose control algorithm automatically determines insulin dose
Insulin pump delivers dose
This reduced hypos however may still need to carb count for meals/snacks and adjust for exercise
How can a pancreas transplant be used to treat T1DM?
Donor pancreas produce insulin
Host pancreas remain insitu to produce digestive enzymes
Risky and requires life long immunosuppression
Reserved for patients with severe hypos and having kidney transplants
How is an islet transplant used to treat T1DM?
Inserting donor islet cells into liver to produce insulin
Patients still often require insulin therapy after this
What is the relevant pathophysiology of T2DM?
Combination of peripheral insulin resistance and relative secretory failure
Hyperglycemia has secondary affect on liver -> glycogenolysis -> further raises levels
Progressive decline in B cell function - B cell apoptosis - often have 50% function remaining at diagnosis
What is metabolic syndrome?
A group of condition that often occur together and increase your risk of heart disease, T2DM and stroke
What conditions are included within metabolic syndrome?
Increase BP (130/85)
High triglycerides
Large waistline (central obesity)
Low HDL cholesterol
Elevated fasting blood sugar
What is the sub-acute presentation of T2DM?
Excessive tiredness
Polyuria
Excessive thirst
Unintended weight loss
Many are asymptomatic
What are the late established complications of T2DM?
Diabetic retinopathy
Polyneuropathy
Erectile dysfunction
Arterial disease
Susceptible to infections e.g thrush
Slow healing skin wounds
Acanthosis nigricans (signs of insulin resistance)
What is the reliance on blood glucose for diagnosis of T2DM?
Symptomatic and single abnormal blood glucose - can diagnose but should repeat the test
Asymptomatic - do not diagnose based on a single result, repeat the test in one month
What can cause transient hyperglycemia?
Acute infection
Trauma
Circulatory stress
What are the different diagnostic ranges for HbA1c?
In mmol/mol
>=48 is T2DM
42-47 pre-diabetes
<42 is normal
What is the diagnostic range for fasting plasma glucose?
mmol/L
>7.o is T2DM
6.1-6.9 is Pre-diabetes
<= 6.o is normal