Diabetes Mellitus (Type Two) Flashcards
What is type two diabetes mellitus?
It is defined as chronic condition in which there is abnormally elevated blood glucose levels
This is due to a relative deficiency of insulin, resulting from increased amounts of adipose tissue
What is the pathophysiology of type two diabetes mellitus?
In type two diabetes mellitus, there is development of insulin resistance due to repeated exposure to insulin – resulting in peripheral tissues becoming insensitive
Therefore, the body requires hyperinsulinemia to ensure normal uptake of glucose into cells
The beta-pancreatic cells become damaged due to this increased insulin secretion, resulting in the production of decreasing insulin levels
This insulin deficiency results in altered lipolysis in adipose tissue, increased glucose production in liver tissue and reduced glucose uptake in muscle tissue
This is therefore a positive feedback process, which further increases glucose levels and results in hyperglycaemia
What are the four risk factors associated with type two diabetes mellitus?
Older Age > 45 Years Old
Black, Chinese & South Asian Ethnicity
Central Obesity
Reduced Physical Activity
What are the five clinical features of type two diabetes mellitus?
Polyuria
Polydipsia
Nocturia
Feet Ulcers
Blurred Vision
What is polyuria?
It is defined an increased urine frequency, > 3L per day
What is polydyspia?
It is defined as increased thirst
What are the four investigations used to diagnose type two diabetes mellitus?
Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test
Random Blood Glucose Test
Fasting Blood Glucose Test
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
What is a HbA1c test?
It measures the quantity of glucose bound to haemoglobin
What does a HbA1c test indicate? How?
It indicates an average glucose level for the past two to three months
This is due to the fact that glucose permanently binds to haemoglobin and haemoglobin cells last up to a period of three months
What HbA1c test result indicates a diagnosis of type two diabetes mellitus?
> 48mmol/mol (6.5%)
In which nine circumstances is a HbA1c test contraindicated?
Haemoglobinopathies
Haemolytic Anaemia
Untreated Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Children
Pregnant Patients
HIV Patients
Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Corticosteroid Administration
Patients with A Short Duration of Diabetes Symptoms
When after pregnancy is a HbA1c test no longer contraindicated?
> 2 months
What four conditions/treatments can result in a falsely low HbA1c reading?
Sickle Cell Anaemia
GP6D Deficiency
Hereditary Spherocytosis
Haemodialysis
What five conditions/treatments can result in a falsely high HbA1c reading?
Splenectomy
Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Folic Acid Deficiency
Alcoholism
Why are HbA1c tests not deemed as useful for diagnosing type one diabetes?
This is due to the fact that is may not accurately reflect a recent rapid rise in serum glucose
Therefore, a HbA1c < 6.5% does not exclude a diagnosis
What is a random blood glucose test?
It involves taking a blood sample and a random time, which may be confirmed by repeat testing
What random blood glucose test indicates type two diabetes mellitus?
> 11.1 mmol/L
What is the diagnostic criteria for a random blood glucose test for type two diabetes?
It should be demonstrated once in symptomatic individuals, however on two separate occasions in those that are asymptomatic
What is a fasting blood glucose test?
It involves taking a blood sample after an individual has fasted overnight
What is a normal fasting blood glucose test result?
< 5.6mmol/L
What fasting blood glucose test indicates type two diabetes mellitus?
> 7mmol/L
What is the diagnostic criteria for a fasting blood glucose test for type two diabetes?
It should be demonstrated once in symptomatic individuals, however on two separate occasions in those that are asymptomatic
What is an OGTT?
It involves taking a patient’s baseline fasting plasma glucose, giving them a 75g glucose drink and then measuring their plasma glucose two hours later
What OGTT result indicates type two diabetes mellitus?
> 11.1mmol/
What is the diagnostic criteria for OGTT for type two diabetes?
It should be demonstrated once in symptomatic individuals, however on two separate occasions in those that are asymptomatic
Does an unrecordable blood glucose indicate a DKA or hypogylcaemia?
DKA
What are the four conservative management options of type two diabetes mellitus?
Dietary Modification
Regular Exercise
Smoking Cessation
Driving Advice
What dietary advice is recommended in type two diabetes?
To eat regular meals – which are high in fibre and low in starchy carbohydrates
What is the glycemic index?
A rating system for foods containing carbohydrates
It shows how quickly each food affects blood glucose levels when that food is eaten on its own
What is a high glycaemic index?
It suggests carbohydrates are broken down quickly during digestion and therefore release their glucose into blood quickly
What is a low glycaemic index?
It suggests carbohydrates are broken down slowly during digestion and therefore release their glucose into the blood gradually
Why is it important that diabetic patients are aware of what foods have a high and low glycemic index?
It is recommended that individuals have a diet consistent of low glycaemia sources of carbohydrates
Why do we encourage diabetics to exercise regularly?
Weight loss
Increases insulin sensitivity
What is the initial target weight loss in type two diabetics who are overweight?
5% – 10%
Why do advise type two diabetics to stop smoking?
It increases the risk of ischaemic heart disease, which is a common complication of diabetes
Do individuals need to inform the DVLA if they are on insulin?
Yes
What are the three criteria type two diabetes require to obtain a group one licence?
Hypoglycaemic awareness
They must not an episode of hypoglycaemia requiring the assistance of another person within the preceding 12 months
They have no relevant visual impairments
What are the five criteria type one diabetes require to obtain a group two licence?
They should not have a severe hypoglycaemic event in the previous 12 months
They should have full hypoglycaemic awareness
They should show adequate control by regular glucose monitoring
They should demonstrate an understanding of the hypoglycaemia risks
They should have no debarring complications of diabetes
How long prior to driving should individuals check glucose levels?
2 hours
How long should patients wait after a hypo to start driving?
45 minutes
What is a curative management option of type two diabetics?
Conservative lifestyle advice
When is metformin used to manage type two diabetes?
It is the first line pharmacological management option
What are the four mechanism actions of metformin?
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activation
Increased Insulin Sensitivity
Decreased Hepatic Gluconeogenesis
Reduced Carbohydrate Gastrointestinal Absorption
Whar are the three side effects of metformin?
Gastrointestinal Upset
Vitamin B12 Malabsorption
Lactic Acidosis
What are the two factors which make type two diabetics susceptible to lactic acidosis when administered metformin?
Liver disease
Renal failure
How do we reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects associated with metformin?
The metformin dose should be started at a low dose and tritiated up slowly
What is the most appropriate management step when individuals develop unacceptable metformin side effects?
We switch to modified-release metformin
What are the six contraindications of metformin?
Chronic Kidney Disease, eGFR < 30ml/min
Recent Myocardial Infarction
Sepsis
Acute Kidney Injury
Alcohol Abuse
Severe Dehydration
In which condition should metformin be stopped in? Explain
Myocardial Infarction
Lactic acidosis risk
What advice should be given to type two diabetics who are administered metformin and are schuled to undergo an iodine-containing x-ray contrast media procedure? Why?
They should be advised to discontinue metformin on the day procedure and 48 hours following
This is due to the increased risk of renal impairment due to contrast nephropathy
What advice should be given to diabetics administered metformin who are scheduled for elective surgery?
In cases where it is administered once daily or twice daily, it can be continued as normal
In cases where it is administered three times daily, the lunchtime dose should be missed
This assumes only one meal will be missed during surgery, eGFR > 60 and no contrast during procedure
When are sulfonylureas used to manage type two diabetics?
They are a second line pharmacological management option
What is the mechanism of action of sulfonylureas?
They increase pancreatic insulin secretion, through inhibition of ATP-dependent K+ (KATP) channels on the cell membranes of pancreatic beta cells
Name three sulfonylureas used to manage type two diabetics
‘ides’
Glimepiride
Gliclazide
Glipizide
What are the six side effects associated with sulfonylureas?
Hypoglycaemic Episodes
Weight Gain
Hyponatraemia (SIADH)
Hepatotoxicity
Peripheral Neuropathy
Bone Marrow Suppression
What are the four contraindications of sulfonylureas?
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Renal Failure
Hepatic Failure
What advice should be given to diabetics administered sulfonylureas who are scheduled for elective surgery?
It should be omitted on the day of surgery
The exception is morning surgery patients who take twice daily, they can have the afternoon dose
What are the two blood test results of gliclazide overdose?
Increased Insulin Levels
Increased C-Peptide Levels
When are thiazolidinediones used to manage type two diabetes?
It is a second line pharmacological treatment option
What is the mechanism of action of thiazolidinediones?
They are agonists to the peroxisome proliferator activated-gamma receptors (PPAR) in adipocytes and reduce peripheral insulin resistance
Name a thiazolidinedione used to manage type two diabetes
Pioglitazone
What are the five side effects associated with thiazolidinediones?
Weight Gain
Liver Impairment
Fluid Retention
Bone Fractures
Urinary Bladder Cancer
What are the two contraindications of thiazolidinones?
Heart Failure
Obesity
When are SGLT-2 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes?
They are a second line pharmacological management option
They should be introduced in all cases where individuals develop cardiovascular disease, have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (QRISK > 10%) or develop heart failure
What is the mechanism of action of SGLT-2 inhibitors?
They reversibly inhibit SGLT-2 in the renal proximal convoluted tubule, which reduces glucose reabsorption and increases urinary glucose excretion
Name three SGLT-2 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes
‘glifozin’
Canagliflozin
Dapagliflozin
Empagliflozin
What is an advantage of SLGT-2 inhibitor administration?
It reduces cardiovascular disease
What are the five side effects associated with SGLT-2 inhibitors?
Weight Loss
Urinary Tract Infection
Thrush
Fournier’s Gangrene
Normoglycaemia Ketoacidosis
Diabetic Foot Disease = Amputation
What is Fournier’s gangrene?
It is defined as necrotising fasciitis of the genitalia or perineum
What are the two clinical features of Fournier’s gangrene?
A red, swollen patch of skin in the perineal area
Perineal pain
When are DPP-4 inhibitors used to manage type two diabetes?
They are a second line pharmacological treatment option
What are incretin mimetics?
They are gastrointestinal hormones, which reduce blood glucose through increased insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon production and reducing gastrointestinal absorption
Name an incretin mimetic
GLP-1
What enzyme inhibits incretin mimetics?
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)