🧪Endocrinology🧪 - Micro/Macrovascular Complications of Diabetes Flashcards
What are the 2 types of vascular complications you can get from DM?
Microvascular
Macrovascular
What are the microvascular complications of DM?
Retinopathy
Nephropathy
Neuropathy
What are the macrovascular complications of DM?
Cerebrovascular disease
Ischaemic heart disease
Peripheral vascular disease
What is the association between extent of hyperglycaemia and microvascular complications?
Extent/severity of hyperglycaemia (measured by HbA1c) is strongly associated with increased risk of microvascular complications
What is the target HbA1c to reduce the risk of microvascular complications?
53 mmol/mol (<7%)
What is the relationship between hypertension and complication risk?
Rise of systolic BP leads to increase in risk of microvascular complications and myocardial infarction
What are the other factors related to the development of microvascular complications?
Duration of diabetes
Smoking - endothelial dysfunction
Genetic factors
Hyperlipidaemia
Hyperglycaemic memory
What is meant by hyperglycaemic memory in the context of microvascular complications?
Inadequate glucose control early on can result in higher risk of complications LATER, even if HbA1c improved - some damage is already done
What is the overall mechanism of vascular damage in DM?
Activation of inflammatory pathways
Damaged endothelium results in:
-‘Leaky’ capillaries
-Ischaemia
(diagram is for context - not memorisation)
What is diabetic retinopathy a problem?
Leading cause of:
-Visual loss in people with diabetes
-Blindness in people of working age
Why does diabetic retinopathy need to be screened for?
Early stages are asymptomatic
Aim of screening - to detect retinopathy EARLY when it can be treated before it causes visual disturbance / loss
Annual retinal screening in the UK for all diabetes patients
What are the 4 types of diabetic retinopathy that will be experienced, from least to most severe?
Background retinopathy
Pre-proliferative retinopathy
Proliferative retinopathy
Diabetic maculopathy
What causes diabetic retinopathy?
High blood sugar damages retinal vessels, causing leakage and ischemia.
Neovascularization occurs as the retina tries to compensate, but these new vessels are fragile and may rupture
Leakage and ischaemia, compounded with new fragile vessels, disrupt retinal function
What is background retinopathy?
Leaks of fluids/lipids disrupts retinal function
No new vessel formation (can progress)
Hard exudates, microaneurysms, blot haemorrhages
What is pre-proliferative retinopathy?
Intermediate stage of diabetic retinopathy
Multiple retinal haemorrhages, venous abnormalities (such as beading and looping), and areas of ischemia
These changes signal worsening retinal damage and increased risk of progression to proliferative retinopathy, where abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) can occur, leading to severe vision loss if untreated
What is proliferative retinopathy?
Ischaemic damage to retina due to lack of endothelial integrity has lead to neovascularisation
Major retinal disruption
Progression of background retinopathy -> pre-proliferative -> proliferative retinopathy
What is maculopathy?
Same as retinopathy, but happens to be near the macula
Much more serious threat to macular vision
What is the treatment plan for all retinopathies?
Improve HbA1c, stop smoking, lipid lowering
Achieve good BP control (<130/80mmHg)
What is the treatment plan for background retinopathy?
Continued annual surveillance
What is the treatment plan for pre-proliferative retinopathy?
If left alone will progress to new vessel growth
So, early panretinal photocoagulation
What is the treatment plan for proliferative retinopathy?
Panretinal photocoagulation