Type 1 Diabetes

Question 1

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 1

Insulin deficiency due to autoimmune destruction of Insulin Secreting Beta cells

Question 2

Which genes are involved? (2)

Answer 2

HLA D3 and D4

Question 3

What triggers the onset?

Answer 3

Viral infections, diet, toxins, emotional and physical distress

Question 4

Does anything precede it?

Answer 4

Yes, there is usually a pre-diabetic phase

Question 5

Any links to other conditions?

Answer 5

Yes, it usually is linked to other autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

Question 6

Is it common?

Answer 6

not really, it affects 54 million people worldwide

Question 7

What is the typical age of onset?

Answer 7

Usually teens-twenties (but can have late onset which is rare)

Question 8

Who is affected?

Answer 8

Caucasians in north europe are most at risk

Question 9

Symptoms (7)

Answer 9

Polyuria, Polydipsia, Weight loss, Visual blurring, genital thrush, lethargy, recurrent infections

Question 10

Signs (1)

Answer 10

Raised fasting glucose >7mmol/L

Question 11

Investigations

Answer 11

Fasting Blood Glucose >7, Random glucose >11, HbA1C >48mmol/L

Question 12

Treatment (5)

Answer 12

Insulin therapy, diabetes education, address all vascular risk factors, quit smoking, optimise nutrition

Question 13

What long term complications are there? (5)

Answer 13

Retinopathy, Nephropathy, Neuropathy, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease-all of these conditions need monitoring!

Question 14

Other Acute Complications (3)

Answer 14

Hyper/hypoglycaemic states, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Recurrent Infections

Question 15

Is there a good prognosis?

Answer 15

May have good health but there is an increased risk of co-morbidities in the future if not managed well