Endocrinology Flashcards
DIABETES MELLITUS
What are the three main types of diabetes mellitus and their respective pathophysiologies?
- T1DM = autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas leading to absolute insulin deficiency + high glucose
- T2DM = insulin resistance + relative insulin deficiency due to excess adipose tissue
- Pre-diabetes = misses criteria for T2DM but likely to develop over next few years
DIABETES MELLITUS
What are some risk factors for T2DM?
- Obesity + inactivity
- Asian
- FHx
- Gestational diabetes
- PCOS
DIABETES MELLITUS
What is the clinical presentation of…
i) T1DM?
ii) T2DM?
iii) diabetes in general?
i) Polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, ?DKA in young
ii) Often ASx + incidental, may have polyuria/polydipsia
iii) Visual blurring, candida infections, acanthosis nigricans
DIABETES MELLITUS
How do you diagnose diabetes mellitus?
Asymptomatic and 2x results or symptomatic with 1 result:
- Fasting glucose ≥7.0mmol/L
- Random glucose or OGTT after 2h ≥11.1mmol/L
- HbA1c ≥48mmol/mol (6.5%)
DIABETES MELLITUS
What additional investigations would you consider in T1DM?
- C-peptide (low) + useful if atypical features
- Diabetes-specific Ab (anti-GAD + ICA)
- Monitor for other autoimmune conditions e.g., Addison’s, coeliac, thyroid
DIABETES MELLITUS
When investigating diabetes mellitus, how would you diagnose someone with…
i) impaired fasting glucose?
ii) impaired glucose tolerance?
i) 6.1 ≤ fasting glucose < 7.0mmol/L
ii) Normal fasting glucose but 7.8 ≤ OGTT 2-h value < 11.1mmol/L
DIABETES MELLITUS
What are the HbA1c targets in diabetes mellitus?
How can falsely elevate/reduce HbA1c levels?
- T1DM/T2DM on lifestyle ± metformin = 48mmol/mol
- T2DM on drug which can cause hypoglycaemia = 53mmol/mol
- Lower = reduced RBC life (sickle cell, G6PD, HS)
- Higher = increased RBC life (splenectomy, low vitamin B12 + folate)
DIABETES MELLITUS
What dietary advice is given in diabetes mellitus?
How do you manage pre-diabetes?
- High fibre, low glycaemic index sources of carbs, low salt/fat
- Structured exercise, diet change + weight loss, regular HbA1c testing
DIABETES MELLITUS
What is the management of T1DM?
What are some side effects of this?
- S/c insulin
- Basal bolus preferred (bedtime long-acting + short-acting before each meal) or BD biphasic (mixed rapid + long-acting before breakfast/tea)
- Hypoglycaemia, weight gain, lipodystrophy (rotate sites)
DIABETES MELLITUS
What are the BM targets in T1DM?
What are the sick day rules?
- 5-7mmol/L on waking, 4-7mmol/L before meals, measure QDS
- Continue insulin, check BMs frequently, monitor ketones
DIABETES MELLITUS
What is the first-line management of T2DM?
- Metformin
DIABETES MELLITUS
A woman with a diagnosis of T2DM comes for a review. She currently takes metformin and her HbA1c is 53mmol/mol. What should you do and why?
- Increase metformin dose (if possible) as only add second PO hypoglycaemic agent if HbA1c is ≥58mmol/mol
DIABETES MELLITUS
A woman with a diagnosis of T2DM comes for a review. She currently takes 2 oral hypoglycaemic agents and her HbA1c is 60mmol/mol. What should you do and why?
- Either triple therapy or consider insulin therapy as HbA1c is ≥58mmol/mol
DIABETES MELLITUS
If triple therapy is not effective, tolerated or contraindicated, what would you consider?
What is the criteria?
- Metformin + sulfonylurea + GLP-1 mimetic
- BMI ≥35 + physical or psychological issues associated with obesity
- BMI <35 where insulin has occupational implications or weight loss would benefit other obesity-related comorbidities
DIABETES MELLITUS
What is the criteria for continuing on a GLP-1 mimetic?
- Reduction of at least 11mmol/mol in HbA1c AND weight loss of at least 3% initial body weight in 6m
DIABETES MELLITUS
What are the 6 types of oral hypoglycaemic agents?
Give an example for each.
- Biguanides e.g., metformin
- Sulfonylureas e.g., gliclazide
- DPP4 inhibitors e.g., sitagliptin
- Thiazolidinediones e.g., pioglitazone
- SGLT-2 inhibitors e.g., empagliflozin
- GLP-1 mimetic e.g., s/c exenatide
DIABETES MELLITUS
Biguanides:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Increased insulin sensitivity AND decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis
ii) GI upset (D+V), lactic acidosis
DIABETES MELLITUS
Sulfonylureas:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Stimulate pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin
ii) Hypoglycaemia, weight gain, hyponatraemia
DIABETES MELLITUS
DPP4 inhibitors:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Increases incretin levels which inhibit glucagon secretion
ii) Increased pancreatitis risk
DIABETES MELLITUS
Thiazolidinediones:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Activate PPAR-gamma receptor in adipocytes to promote adipogenesis + fatty acid uptake to reduce insulin resistance
ii) Fluid retention, weight gain, increased risk of bladder ca
DIABETES MELLITUS
SGLT-2 inhibitors:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Reversibly inhibits Sodium-GLucose co-Transporter 2 (SGLT-2) in PCT to reduce glucose reabsorption + increase urinary glucose excretion
ii) Increased UTI risk, Fournier’s gangrene, weight loss, (euglycaemic) DKA
DIABETES MELLITUS
Glucagon like peptide-1 mimetics:
i) mechanism of action?
ii) side effects?
i) Incretin mimetic which inhibits glucagon secretion
ii) N+V, pancreatitis + weight loss
DKA
What is the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
- Absence of insulin leads to uncontrollable lipolysis = increased production of FFA which are oxidised in the liver to ketone bodies leading to ketoacidosis
DKA
What is the clinical presentation of DKA?
- Acetone breath (pear drops)
- Vomiting, dehydration + abdo pain
- Hyperventilation due to acidosis = Kussmaul’s breathing
- Drowsiness, coma + hypovolaemic shock