Endocrinology Flashcards
What is the definition of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to complete insulin deficiency
Describe the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Usually at ages 5-15
What are the risk factors of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Northern European Family History: - HLA DR3-DQ2 or - HLA-DR4-DQ8 Other autoimmune diseases: - Autoimmune thyroid - Coeliac disease - Addison’s disease - Pernicious anaemia
Describe the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
- Autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the Islets of Langerhans by autoantibodies
- Insulin deficiency and continued breakdown of liver glycogen
- Hyperglycaemia and Glycosuria
What does the absence of insulin in type 1 diabetes cause?
Increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreased peripheral glucose
What are the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus?
Polydipsia
Polyuria
Weight Loss
(Usually short history of severe symptoms)
How is type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosed?
Symptoms/Signs mentioned above
Young
BMI < 25
Personal and/or FHx of autoimmune disease
What is the typical value of random plasma glucose in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus?
> 11mmol/l
How is type 1 diabetes mellitus treated?
INSULIN
Short acting
Short acting insulin analogues
Longer acting insulins
Give some examples of rapid insulins.
Lispro, aspart, glulisine
Give some examples of short acting insulins.
Regular
Give some examples of short acting insulin analogues (intermediate insulins).
NPH
Give some examples of longer acting insulins.
Detemir and glargine
What causes diabetic ketoacidosis?
Untreated T1DM
Undiagnosed DM
Infection/illness
Explain the pathophysiology of diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Complete absence of insulin > unrestrained increased hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreased peripheral glucose uptake
- Hyperglycaemia > osmotic diuresis > dehydration
- Peripheral lipolysis increase FFA > oxidised to Acetyl CoA > ketones
= ACIDOSIS
What are the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Diabetes Symptoms ++ Nausea and vomiting Weight loss Drowsy/ Confused Abdominal Pain
What are the signs of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Reduced tissue turgor Kussmaul’s breathing Breath smell of ketones Hypotension Tachycardia
How is diabetic ketoacidosis investigated?
Hyperglycaemia: Random Plasma Glucose >11mmol/l
Ketonaemia: Plasma ketones > 3mmol/l
Acidosis: Blood pH < 7.35 or Bicarbonate <15mmol/l
Urine dipstick: glycosuria/ketonuria
What are the complications of diabetic ketoacidosis?
Coma Cerebral oedema Thromboembolism Aspiration Pneumonia DEATH
How is diabetic ketoacidosis managed?
ABC
Replace fluid loss with 0.9% saline IV
IV insulin
Restore electrolytes e.g. K+
What is the definition of type 2 diabetes?
Combination of peripheral insulin resistance and less severe insulin deficiency
What is the clinical presentation of type 2 diabetes?
Polydipsia Polyuria Glycosuria Central obesity Slower onset
What are the risk factors of type 2 diabetes?
Increase w/ age M > F Ethnicity: African-Carribean, Black African and South Asian Obesity Hypertension
What are the normal glucose levels in a non-diabetic patient?
Random - <11.1 Fasting - <6.1 2h post prandial - <7.8 HbA1c (mmol/mol) - <42 HbA1c (%) <6.0
What are the normal glucose levels in a pre-diabetic patient?
Random - N/A Fasting - 6.1-6.9 2h post prandial - 7.8-11.0 HbA1c (mmol/mol) - 42-47 HbA1c (%) 6.0-6.4
What are the normal glucose levels in a diabetic patient?
Random - 11.1 Fasting - 7.0 2h post prandial - 11.1 HbA1c (mmol/mol) - >47 HbA1c (%) >6.4
What does HbA1c measure?
Glycosylated glucose
How can lifestyle be modified to treat type 2 diabetes?
Diet
Weight Control
Exercise
What is the first line therapy for type 2 diabetes?
Metformin (biguanide)
What is considered if HbA1c is still high after using metformin?
If HbA1c still high consider dual therapy: Metformin + DPP4 inhibitor Metformin + Pioglitiazone Metformin + sulfonylureas Metformin + SGLT-2i
What is considered if HbA1c is still high after using dual therapy?
Triple therapy
What is considered if HbA1c is still high after using triple therapy?
Insulin
How does biguanide (e.g. metformin) work?
Decreased gluconeogenesis in liver and increase cell sensitivity to insulin
What are the side effects of biguanide?
NOT hypoglycaemia GI disturbances (anorexia, diarrhoea, nausea)
How does sulfonylureas e.g. gliclazide work?
Promote insulin secretion
What are the side effects of sulfonylureas?
Hypoglycaemia
Weight gain
Give an example of a biguanide.
Metformin
Give an example of a sulfonylureas.
Gliclazide
What is hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia characterised by?
- Marked hyperglycaemia
- Hyperosmolality
- Mild/no ketosis
- Uncontrolled T2DM
What is the clinical presentation of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia?
Decrease level of consciousness Severe dehydration Hyperglycaemia Hyperosmolality No ketones in blood/urine
Describe the pathophysiology of hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia.
Decreased insulin levels insufficient to inhibit hepatic glucose production but sufficient to inhibit hepatic ketogenesis
How is hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia diagnosed?
Hyperglycaemia >11mmol/l
Urine dipstick: heavy glycosuria
Plasma osmolality: high
How is hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia treated?
Fluid replacement w/ 0.9% saline
LMWH e.g. SC enoxaparin to decrease risk of thromboembolism
Restore electrolyte loss (K+)
What causes Cushing’s syndrome?
Chronic excess of cortisol hormone released by the adrenal glands
What are the ACTH dependent causes of Cushing’s syndrome?
Cushing’s disease (most common)
Ectopic ACTH production
ACTH treatment
What causes Cushing’s disease?
Caused by an ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma
What does Cushing’s disease lead to?
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
What are the ACTH independent causes of Cushing’s syndrome?
Adrenal adenoma
Iatrogenic
What is the clinical presentation of Cushing’s syndrome?
Central obesity Plethoric complexion Moon face Mood change Proximal muscle weakness Purple abdominal striae Gastric ulcers Osteoporosis Hirsutism Emotional disturbance Enlarged sella turcica Cardiac hypertrophy (hypertension) Buffalo hump Adrenal tumour or hyperplasia Thin, wrinkled face Amenorrhea Purpura Skin ulcers (poor wound healing)
How is Cushing’s syndrome diagnosed?
Drug history – Cushing’s can be caused by oral steroids so first exclude this
Random plasma cortisol (screening). If high:
Overnight dexamethasone suppression test
+ Urinary free cortisol (24hr). If positive:
Test plasma ACTH
How is Cushing’s syndrome treated?
Dependent on cause
If cause is:
Pituitary adenoma - Transsphenoidal surgical resection
Adrenal adenoma - Adrenalectomy
What are the complications of Cushing’s syndrome?
Cardiovascular disease
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Osteoporosis
What is primary adrenal insufficiency?
A disorder that affects the adrenal glands, causing decreased production of adrenocortical hormones
What is secondary adrenal insufficiency?
Occurs in patients with pituitary or hypothalamic involvement. This results in decreased ACTH secretion, which ultimately results in adrenal failure.
What is primary adrenal insufficiency also known as?
Addison’s disease
What causes adrenal insufficiency?
In developed countries autoimmune destruction (21-hydroxylase present in 60-90% of people)
TB is one of the commonest cause in developing countries.
Describe the pathophysiology of adrenal insufficiency.
Destruction of the adrenal cortex results in the decreased production of the hormones
What are the risk factors of adrenal insufficiency?
Female sex
Adrenocortical antibodies
Other autoimmune diseases
What is the cumulative risks for patients with positive tests for adrenocortical autoantibodies of developing Addison’s disease?
~50%
What are the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency?
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight loss
What are the signs of adrenal insufficiency?
Hyperpigmentation – Only in Addison’s
Postural hypotension
Hypoglycaemia
Other signs of autoimmunity may be present (vitiligo, hashimoto’s etc.)
How is adrenal insufficiency investigated?
Serum electrolytes: ↓ Sodium ↑ Potassium
FBC: Anaemia and eosinophilia
Morning serum cortisol: Reduced
Adrenal CT or MRI
How is adrenal insufficiency managed?
Glucocorticoid + Mineralocorticoid
Aim to mimic normal physiological state
Treat underlying cause
What is Conn’s syndrome?
Autonomous aldosterone production that exceeds the body’s requirements and is independent of the renin-angiotensin ll system
Explain the pathophysiology of Conn’s syndrome.
- Excess aldosterone
- Increased sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys
- Hypertension and potential hypokalaemia
What is the clinical presentation of Conn’s syndrome?
Hypertension (mild to severe) Nocturia and polyuria Mood disturbance Difficulty concentrating Headache Fatigue Low potassium Muscle cramps Heart arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation is most common) Anxiety, depression Memory loss
How is Conn’s syndrome investigated?
Plasma potassium = Low
Aldosterone/renin ratio = High
What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease?
Bronze pigmentation of skin Changes in distribution of body hair GI disturbances Weakness Hypoglycaemia Postural hypotension Weight loss
What are the symptoms of an adrenal crisis?
Profound fatigue Dehydration Vascular collapse (very low BP) Renal shut down Low serum Na High serum K
How is Conn’s syndrome treated?
If the cause is a single benign adrenal tumour - Unilateral adrenalectomy
If the cause is due to bilateral adrenal hyperplasia - Aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone)
What are the goals of Conn’s syndrome treatments?
Lower BP, decrease aldosterone levels and resolve any electrolyte imbalance
What is the definition of hypokalaemia?
<3.5mmol/L
What are the symptoms of hypokalaemia?
Asymptomatic Fatigue Generalised weakness Muscle cramps and pain Palpitations
What are the signs of hypokalaemia?
Arrhythmias
Muscle paralysis and rhabdomyolysis
What causes hypokalaemia?
Increased excretion
Reduced intake
Shift to intracellular
What might cause increased excretion of potassium in hypokalaemia?
Drugs e.g. thiazide, loop
Renal disease - diuretics, other drugs, mineralocorticoid excess
GI loss - diarrhoea, vomiting, laxative abuse
Increased aldosterone
What might cause reduced intake of potassium in hypokalaemia?
Dietary deficiency
What might cause a shift to intracellular in hypokalaemia?
Drugs e.g. insulin, salbutamol
How is hypokalaemia diagnosed?
ECG: Flat T waves, ST depression, Prominent U waves, Prolonged PR
Urine osmolality, electrolytes
Bloods: FBC, U&E
How is hypokalaemia managed?
Potassium PO/IV
Other electrolyte replacements
Treat underlying cause
What is hyperkalaemia
> 5.5mmol/L
What are the symptoms of hyperkalaemia?
Fatigue
Generalised weakness
Chest pain
Palpitations
What are the signs of hyperkalaemia?
Arrhythmias
Reduced power
Reduced reflexes
Signs of underlying cause
What might cause impaired excretion of potassium in hyperkalaemia?
AKI and CKD
Drug effect
Renal tubular acidosis (T4)
What causes hyperkalaemia?
Impaired excretion
Increased intake
Shift to extracellular
What might cause increased intake of potassium in hyperkalaemia?
Intravenous therapy
Increased dietary intake
What might cause a shift to extracellular in hyperkalaemia?
Metabolic acidosis
Rhabdomyolysis
How is hyperkalaemia diagnosed?
ECG: ‘tall tented T waves’, prolonged PR interval (>200ms), widening of the QRS interval (>120ms), small/absent P waves
Urine osmolality, electrolytes
Bloods: FBC, U&E
How is hyperkalaemia managed?
ABC assessment
Consider cardiac monitoring
1. Protect myocardium: 10ml, 10% calcium gluconate
2. Drive K+ intracellularly: Insulin/Dextrose, Nebulised Salbutamol
What is a phaeochromocytoma?
Very rare adrenal medullary tumour that secretes catecholamines
What causes phaeochromocytomas?
Phaeochromocytomas occur in certain familial syndromes:
Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome
Neurofibromatosis
Von-Hippel Lindau Disease
What are the symptoms of phaeochromocytomas?
Headache, Profuse Sweating, Palpitations, Tremor etc.
What are the signs of phaeochromocytomas?
Hypertension, Postural hypotension, tremor, hypertensive retinopathy, pallor