DIABETES
OBJECTIVES
When the student has finished this module, the student will be able to:
1. Explain the role of insulin in the body.
2. Identify the process by which hyperglycemia damages tissues.
3. Explain the process that is the cause of type I diabetes.
4. Identify two risk factors for developing type II diabetes.
5. Identify three signs of diabetes.
6. Identify six complications of diabetes.
7. Identify three classes of medications that are used to treat diabetes.
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by a high blood glucose level
that is caused by defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes is one of
the most serious health problems in the world today. Estimates vary, but at least one
source notes that there are approximately 170 million diabetics worldwide,1 that number
is expected to increase to 300 million by 2025,2 and the number of diabetics in the United
States and the amount of morbidity the disease causes are staggering.3
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Approximately 20.8 million people in the United States have diabetes.
There are approximately 6.2 million people with diabetes that are undiagnosed.
The number of new cases of diabetes is increasing each year. From 1980 to 2005,
the number of adults newly diagnosed with diabetes almost tripled, from 493,000
in 1980 to 1.4 million in 2005.
From 1980 to 2005, the number of Americans with diabetes increased from 5.6
million to 15.8 million.
Diabetes was the 6th leading cause of death in the United Sates in 2002.
Adults with diabetes have rates of heart disease that are 2 to 4 times higher than
adults without the disease.
Diabetics are 2 to 4 times more likely to have a stroke than people without
diabetes.
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years old.
Approximately 73% of all adults with diabetes have hypertension and use
prescription anti-hypertensives.
More than 60% of all non-traumatic lower limb amputations are caused by
diabetes.
Diabetes that is not well controlled in the first trimester of pregnancy can cause
major birth defects.
Diabetics are more likely to develop other illnesses and when they acquire these
illnesses, their prognosis is worse.
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The total cost for diabetes in the United States in 2002 was estimated at 132
billion dollars.
Lost productive time in the workplace is approximately 18% higher for diabetics
than for non-diabetics.
INSULIN AND GLUCOSE
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for the body. When carbohydrates
are ingested, the final products of that process are glucose, fructose, and galactose, with
glucose representing the majority. Glucose is a major source of energy, as is converted to
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the glycolytic pathway.
But for glucose to be utilized it must be carried into the cells; the glucose molecule is
too large to diffuse through the pores of the cell membrane, and the transport of glucose
is done by insulin. Insulin is a large polypeptide that is secreted by the β cells in the islets
of Langerhans in the pancreas, and it helps promote the transport of glucose into the liver
(where it is stored as glycogen), or into the muscle cells, where it is also stored as
glycogen, or used as an energy source. The process by which insulin promotes glucose
entry into the cells is called facilitated diffusion, and it is not completely understood.
However, it is thought that when insulin binds to an insulin receptor on a cell membrane,
it increases the membrane concentration of a glucose transporter, Glut4.4
In the normal person, blood glucose is maintained within a narrow range of 80 to 90
mg/dL, and fasting glucose for adults should be < 110 mg/dL. Close control of blood
glucose is important, as glucose is the only nutrient that can be used by the brain, retina,
and germinal epithelium of the gonads. As well, prolonged hyperglycemia leads to the
pathophysiologic changes characteristic of diabetes. When blood glucose rises (e.g., after
a meal), the secretion of insulin rises dramatically, both in amount and the speed in which
this rise occurs, as glucose enters the pancreatic β cells and stimulates insulin release.
HYPERGLYCEMIA AND ITS PATHOGENIC EFFECTS
It is clear that both the level and duration of hyperglycemia are associated with an
increased risk of developing diabetic complications: the higher the blood sugar and the
longer that elevation lasts, the greater the risk. In recent years there has been much
research on the mechanisms by which elevated blood sugar damages tissues, and the
current thinking is that there are four processes involved.5
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The polyol pathway: Aldose reductase reduces toxic aldehydes in the cell to
inactive alcohols. However, when the glucose concentration inside the cell
becomes too high, the glucose is also reduced to sorbitol and during this reduction
process the NADPH cofactor is consumed. NADPH is also an essential cofactor
for regenerating reduced glutathione which is a vital intracellular antioxidant, so
as a result of the elevated glucose, the cell is exposed to oxidative stress and
subsequent structural and functional damage.
AGE precursors: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are reactive, unstable
sugar-derived substances produced from the nonenzymatic reaction of reducing
sugars with free amino groups of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. The
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production of AGEs is increased under the condition of increased oxidative stress
caused by diabetes. An excess of AGEs has several harmful effects: they modify
proteins involved in gene transcription, they cause a generalized cellular
dysfunction by interfering with intracellular signaling mechanisms, and they
increase the production of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that
damage the vasculature.
PKC activation: Protein kinase-C (PKC) is an intracellular enzyme that modifies
proteins by adding phosphate groups to them, thus regulating the transmission of
signals within the cell. Hyperglycemia activates PKC and changes gene
expression, decreasing the expression of activities that are essential for normal
function and increasing the expression of activities that are harmful for normal
expression.
Increased hexosamine pathway activity: The hexosamine pathway is an additional
pathway of glucose metabolism. During glycolysis, some of the byproducts of
that process are diverted out of that pathway into a signaling pathway that
produces compounds that change genetic expressions, and this harmful process is
increased under conditions of hyperglycemia.
Obviously, when blood sugar is high, all the cells of the body are exposed, but the
capillary endothelial cells in the retina, mesangial cells in the glomerulus, and neurons
and Schwann cells in the peripheral nerves are critically affected. The end result of all of
the above processes is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (particularly
superoxide) and oxidative stress, and that is though to be the mechanism by which
hyperglycemia damages cells.
PATHOGENESIS OF TYPE I DIABETES
Type I diabetes is characterized by destruction of the pancreatic β cells by CD4+ and
CD8+ T cells and macrophages that infiltrate the islets, and a subsequent lack of insulin
production.6 Approximately 10% of all people with diabetes have type I diabetes. It is
thought to be caused by an autoimmune process in genetically susceptible people that is,
at times, triggered by an infectious or environmental factor.7 Autoimmunity is a process
by which immunocompetent cells attack tissues in their own body, and there is ample
evidence that type I diabetes is an autoimmune process: the presence of
immunopathologic T cells in the damaged islets, the presence of antibodies that react to
the islets cells in the serum of diabetic patients, the effectiveness of immunosuppression
in delaying the onset type I diabetes, the evidence that type I diabetes can be transferred
from a diabetic to a non-diabetic via a bone marrow transplant, and the linkage to the
disease with certain alleles at HLA class II loci.8 The exact contribution of these three
factors – autoimmunity, infection, environmental – is not completely known. There are
definitely susceptible genotypes but, given the relatively recent rise in type I diabetes
among young adults (a rise to0 rapid to be caused by changes in the gene pool), it is also
clear that environmental factors are important.9 The most commonly suspected
environmental “triggers” that cause type I diabetes are viruses, specifically enteroviruses,
rotavirus, and rubella. However, there is no conclusive evidence linking these viruses to
the development of type I diabetes, perhaps because the infection can precede the disease
by several years.10 People who will develop type I diabetes are born with a normal
number of β cells, and the process of destruction of the β cells is, for most people, a slow
process and takes many years. Type I diabetes occurs when 80% of the β cells are
destroyed. The onset of type I diabetes is usually in children 4 years of age or older, and
the peak time of onset is at the ages of 11 through 13.
PATHOGENESIS OF TYPE II DIABETES
Type I diabetes is caused by the auto-immunologic destruction of pancreatic β cells,
but the pathogenesis of type II diabetes is much more complicated and involves genetic
and environmental factors that cause impaired β cell function and insulin resistance.11
Although there appears to be little doubt about the genetic component of type II
diabetes, there is little direct evidence of this. It is far clearer that the development of type
II diabetes has a genetic component when family and ethnic factors are considered.
It is well known that type II diabetes is an inherited condition, as is shown by the 100%
concordance rate of diabetes seen in identical twins, the tendency of type II diabetes to
"run in the family," and the high rates of the disease that are seen in certain racial and
ethnic groups.12 It was also shown in the Framingham Offspring Study that the risk of
developing type II diabetes if a single parent had the disease was 3.5 times greater, and if
both parents had the disease, the risk was 6 times greater. There were no differences
noted in maternal versus paternal transmission.
As regards impaired β cell function, the current thinking is that insulin resistance is the
primary mechanism responsible for the development of type II diabetes, not impaired
insulin secretion.13 Insulin resistance occurs when there is a defect in the ability of
insulin to transport glucose into the cell. It appears to be caused by genetics, obesity, age,
and a sedentary lifestyle.14
Who develops type II diabetes? There are many risk factors. The usual onset of the
disease is in adults over the age of 40. Old age is a risk factor for diabetes: 18.4% of
adults 65 years of age and older have type II diabetes. More alarmingly, in the past 8
years, the incidence of type II diabetes in adults between the ages of 30-39 has risen
70%.15 Racial and ethnic factors are also important. African-Americans and Hispanic
Americans are at a greater risk for developing type II diabetes than white Americans. The
problem of type II diabetes is particularly serious among African-American females aged
55 years or older. The incidence of type II diabetes is also higher among Native
Americans. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are probably the two most important factors
for developing type II diabetes.16
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES
Diabetes usually presents with the classic triad of polyuria, polydipsia, and
polyphagia, weight loss, and a fasting glucose > 200mg/dL. The American Diabetes
Association suggests that a diagnosis of diabetes can be made if the above physical
findings are present, the fasting blood glucose is > 126 mg/dL, and the fasting plasma
glucose two hours after a 75 gram glucose load is ≥ 200 mg/dL and this is confirmed by a
repeat test. Glycosated hemoglobin (HbA1c) indicates the average blood glucose during
the 120 days prior to the test and is used for long-term monitoring of glycemic control.
PREVENTION OF DIABETES
Type I diabetes can be a devastating disease. Currently, the only available effective
treatment is insulin therapy. Unfortunately, insulin therapy must be continued forever,
and although insulin therapy, along with good preventive care and close attention can
help reduce or delay the onset of complications, it cannot eliminate them entirely.17
Prevention would be far preferable.
One approach to prevention has been the efforts to spare the β cells from destruction
before the process starts. However, although there have been intensive work directed
towards prevention, there has not been much success. The first problem is identifying
people at risk, and although there are strong genetic and familial factors associated with
the development of the disease, at this point, they cannot be consistently used to
determine with complete accuracy who is at risk and needs intervention.18
Another approach to prevention has been the use of immunosuppressive drugs. There
was much interest in this in the 1980s and there was some initial enthusiasm. But it was
subsequently found out that although some patients had a dramatic response to the
therapy, not all did, and the response in the successful cases was not sustained. There
were also serious side effects such as renal damage and infections.19
Large scale attempts for prevention have also been made by using both of these
approaches, identifying at risk and using drug therapy. The Diabetes Prevention Trial –
Type 1 was a large clinical trial conducted by several medical associations. Study
subjects who were determined to be at risk for developing type 1 diabetes (e.g., family
history, presence of islet cell antibodies) were given low dose insulin injections or oral
insulin. Unfortunately, neither approach was successful.20
A more promising method of prevention has been transplantation, either islet cell
transplantation or whole pancreas transplantation.21 Many patients who receive islet
transplantation are insulin independent for a year after the operation, and the 5 year rate
of partial islet function is very high. But islet function decay over time is common, the
patients must accept the need for lifelong use of immunosuppressive drugs, and this
approach is currently limited to patients with recurrent severe hypoglycemia and severe
labile diabetes: whole pancreas transplantation is far superior.
There has been far more success is in preventing type II diabetes. Although it is clear
that type II diabetes is caused by a subtle interplay between genetic and environmental
factors, there is a large body of evidence from the epidemiology literature that strongly
suggests that the increase in the incidence of the disease is due to diet and lifestyle
factors.22 In particular, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are implicated in the development
of the disease. Prevention of the development of diabetes and diabetic complications,
however, is possible.
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Obesity: Both the Nurse’s Health Study23 and the Women’s Health Study24
clearly showed that obesity dramatically increased the risk of developing type II
diabetes, and several studies have clearly shown that change in diet and weight
loss can prevent development of the disease.25,26
Physical activity: Certainly, exercise can lead to weight loss which reduces the
risk of developing type II diabetes. However, there is evidence that physical
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activity has an independent effect on decreasing the risk;27,28 this may be due to
increasing insulin sensitivity.
Smoking: Prospective studies have shown that cigarette smoking is associated
with an increased risk of developing diabetes.29,30 Again, this effect may be due to
an increase in insulin sensitivity.
Alcohol: Alcohol in moderation has been shown to be associated with a decreased
risk of developing diabetes compared with abstinence or occasional drinking.
Heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk.31
Diet: There have been many attempts to determine the effect of specific dietary
patterns on the development of diabetes. However, research that has attempted to
determine the association between nutrients (e.g., fats, carbohydrates,
micronutrients) and the development of diabetes has been inconclusive.32
Control of hypertension: Even modest reductions in diastolic blood pressure can
reduce the incidence of death, stroke, and microvascular complications.33
Drug therapy: Metformin and troglitazone have both been shown to significantly
reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes, but less so when compared to
changes in diet and lifestyle.34 Other drugs hat have shown some promise in
preventing type II diabetes are the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors,
angiotensin II receptor blockers, pravastatin, orlistat, and bezafibrate.35
However, only the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists
and incretin-mimetic drugs (e.g., exenatide) appear to favorably affect β cell
volume and morphology.36
Prevention of the complications of diabetes, in particular the cardiovascular and
cerebrovascular complications, has also received attention, and although the incidence of
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events can be decreased, achieving this requires a
multifaceted approach. Glucose control alone does not appear to reduce the
cardiovascular risk associated with type II diabetes, although it may be useful for patients
with type I diabetes.37 A recent study showed that aggressive treatment with aspirin, tight
glucose control, lipid lowering agents, and renin-angiotensin system blockers can
decrease the risk of vascular complications and deaths from cardiovascular causes.38 The
statin drugs have been shown to reduce the incidence of major cardiac events in diabetic
patients and good control of hypertension is also beneficial.
COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES
Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes
Cardiovascular complications are very common among diabetics. Approximately 80%
of all patients with diabetes die from a cardiovascular event;39 the risk of acute
myocardial infarction (MI) is increased 2 to 4 times for diabetic patients.40 Also, many
diabetic patients may have an acute MI without chest pain. Hypertension is twice as
common among diabetics as among non-diabetics.41
The pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in diabetes appears to be caused by
a number of factors that injure the vascular endothelial wall such as high cholesterol, C-
reactive protein, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia that cause capillary
hypertension.42,43
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the more serious complications of diabetes, and the
longer someone has diabetes, the greater the chance of developing it. It is the leading
cause of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age, but it can be prevented with early
detection and treatment. It is more prevalent among people with type I diabetes than type
II. It affects the microcirculation of the eyes: capillary wall weakness causes aneurysms
and fluid leakage from the capillaries, eventually leading to ischemia and infarction44 and
the optic disc, venules and arterioles can also be affected. Hyperglycemia is strongly
associated with diabetic retinopathy, and good control of blood sugar can greatly reduce
the incidence of this complication.45 As well, good control of blood pressure may
decrease the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Treatment can include laser photocoagulation
and vitrectomy.46
Diabetic Neuropathy
Painful diabetic neuropathy is a relatively common complication of diabetes.47
Neuropathies affect up to 50% of all diabetics; it is more common in the elderly,
smokers, and people with uncontrolled diabetes. Men and women are equally affected.
Poor glycemic control and the duration of the illness are the major causes of this
disorder.48 Neuropathies are heterogenous, and can be classified as acute hyperglycemic
neuropathy, generalized symmetric neuropathies (e.g., autonomic, sensory, sensorimotor)
focal and multifocal neuropathies, and superimposed chronic inflammatory
demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Several factors are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy: oxidative
stress related to hyperglycemia, loss of growth factor tropism, vascular insufficiency, and
autoimmune destruction of small nerve fibers is generally believed to be involved.
The end result of those processes is that nerve fibers degenerate, and the blood vessels
that supply those nerves become damaged.
The signs and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are varied and can be especially
discomforting:
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Burning sensations
Skin tingling
Abnormal response to painful stimuli
Pins and needles sensations
Numbness
Pain
Spasms
Autonomic neuropathies can produce signs and symptoms such as dysphasia, ataxia,
syncope, gastrointestinal complaints, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, weak urinary
stream, heat intolerance, diplopic, and eye pain.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complex metabolic emergency that is defined by:
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Serum pH less than 7.2
Bicarbonate level less than18 mEq/L
Serum glucose greater than 250 mg/dL
Serum ketone concentration greater than 5 mEq/L
DKA can occur in anyone with diabetes, but it is more common in patients with type I
diabetes.49 The pathogenesis of this disorder is complex, but DKA is basically caused by
an insulin deficiency with a resulting increase in the levels of glucagon, epinephrine,
growth hormone, and cortisol. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes due to poor
compliance with their therapeutic regimen, patients with an infectious process, or those
who have very brittle diabetes have a subsequent rise in serum glucose. Glucose cannot
be utilized and as a result, the body responds by producing energy through
gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and the breakdown of fats. The breakdown of fats
produces ketones and these are subsequently changed to acids that cause a metabolic
acidosis. The hyperglycemia causes increased urine output and dehydration.
Signs/symptoms of DKA are excessive thirst, increased urination, nausea, vomiting,
weakness, confusion, coma, hypotension, an acetone-like odor on the breath, shallow,
rapid breathing, Kussmaul respirations, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia.50
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the United
States. It occurs in approximately 20 to 40% of type I diabetics and less than 20% of type
II diabetics.51 The progression of this complication is slow, and it moves through stages
characterized by increased albumin excretion, blood pressure elevation, and declining
glomerular filtration rate. As with diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy is more
likely to occur in patients with poor control of their blood sugar, and it can be prevented
with good glycemic control. Both angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors and
angiotensin II receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce the risk of developing
diabetic nephropathy.52
Impaired Wound Healing/Infection
Impaired wound healing and wound infections are serious complications of
diabetes.53,54 Diabetics have a diminished immune response to infection: there is
decreased chemotaxis, decreased phagocytosis, decreased opsonization, decreased
bacterial killing, and decreased antioxidant activity.55 Diabetics also have decreased
microvascular supply to the extremities; this limits the ability of the body to fight
infection (e.g., to deliver oxygen, limiting leukocyte infiltration) and when an infection
is present, it limits the concentration of antibiotics that can reach the affected tissue. The
feet are common sites for the development of wounds and wounds that become infected.
Patients may suffer from cellulitis or more serious complications such as chronic
osteomyelitis or gas gangrene.56
TREATMENT OF DIABETES
Pharmacotherapy
There are a myriad of drugs available for treating diabetes. All have different
mechanisms of action, but the goal is the same: lowering blood glucose to a level that
will prevent or minimize complications. Many patients must take multiple agents and
therapy must be tailored to the individual. Regular physical activity and weight loss must
also be included in the treatment plan.
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Exenatide: This drug has a unique mechanism of action. It mimics the
endogenous incretin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and by doing so, it stimulates
glucose-independent insulin release, thus making it unlike the sulfonylureas.57
(Note: Incretins are gastrointestinal hormones that stimulate insulin secretion). It
is dosed twice a day and given by injection, and is commonly prescribed along
with a sulfonylurea and/or metformin. Common side effects include nausea,
diarrhea, vomiting, and headache.
Biguanides: The biguanides (metformin and phenformin) were first used for
diabetes in the late 1950s: phenformin was withdrawn from commercial use in the
1970s because it caused lactic acidosis and death. Metformin is the biguanide in
use today.58 Metformin is not a hypoglycemic drug: it is an antihyperglycemic
drug that lowers blood sugar when hyperglycemia is present, but it will not lower
blood sugar below the normal range. It has four mechanisms of action: decreased
glucose absorption by the gut, increased glucose uptake by the tissues, decreased
glucose production by the liver, and decreased insulin requirements for glucose
disposal. It should not be used in patients with significant renal disease. Common
side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and rarely, lactic acidosis.
ά-glucosidase inhibitors: ά-glucosidase enzymes digest carbohydrates in the brush
border of the small intestine, and the ά-glucosidase inhibitors (e.g., acarbose,
miglitol) are competitive antagonists of these enzymes, delaying glucose
absorption, and keeping blood sugar low. They are used for the control of type II
diabetes, and they can be used alone or with another drug. Common side effects
include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Meglitinides: The meglitinides (repaglinide and nateglinide) are used for treating
type II diabetes. They stimulate the production of insulin in the pancreas in a
manner similar to the sulfonylureas, and they have a rapid onset of action and a
short duration of action. Runny nose, cough, and flu-like symptoms, nad
gastrointestinal complaints are common side effects
Thiazolidinediones: This class of medications includes rosiglitazone and
pioglitazone. These drugs act to decrease insulin resistance by binding to specific
receptors in the cell’s nucleus. This activates the transcription of a number of
genes and produces the pharmacologic effect. They are used for the treatment of
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type II diabetes. The main side effects of these drugs are fluid retention and
elevation the hepatic transaminases.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4): This class of drugs includes sitagliptin
and viladagliptin. They increase insulin secretion by inhibiting the action of DPP4. DPP-4 is an enzyme that destroys incretins (e.g., GLP-1, GIP), hormones that
reduce blood glucose by increasing the production and release of insulin by the
pancreas. The most common side effect of the popular DPP-4 inhibitor,
sitagliptin, are upper respiratory tract infection and headache.
Pramlintide: This drug can be used for type I and type II diabetes. It works by
slowing the absorption of glucose through the gut and by decreasing the
production of glucose by the liver by inhibiting the action of glucagon. It is given
by subcutaneous injection. The main side effects are nausea and vomiting,
headache, and fatigue.
Inhaled insulin: Inhaled insulin was first marketed in 2006. It is a rapid acting
insulin and it does not produce better glycemic control than injected insulin. It is a
bit awkward to use and concerns for pulmonary toxicity means that pulmonary
function must be monitored.
Sulfonylureas: This class of drug includes glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride,
and they are very popular for controlling type II diabetes. They work by
stimulating the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. Common side effects include
hypoglycemia, nausea, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.
Insulins: Insulins in use today are used for the control of type I diabetes and at
times, for control of type II diabetes. They all differ in their onset of action, peak
effect, and duration of action. They can be delivered by subcutaneous injection,
via an insulin pump, or transdermally.
DIABETIC DIET
The American Diabetes Association has published guidelines for preventing and
managing type II diabetes in 2007.57 Radical alterations are not generally recommended:
attempts to control the disease through control of macronutrients does not appear
necessary. Some of the highlights are:
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Modest weight loss is recommended.
Low-carbohydrate or low-fat calorie restricted diets may be used for weight loss.
Regular physical activity is recommended.
Alcohol should be avoided and/or taken in moderation (e.g., 1-2 drinks).
Dietary fiber intake should be 4g/1000 kcal.
Sucrose-containing foods should be limited.
As regards type I diabetes, the patient should be educated regarding the timing, size,
frequency, and composition of meals. The patient should receive a diet plan that includes
a daily caloric intake, recommendations about the amount of fats, carbohydrates, and
proteins to be taken in. It is recommended that 20% of the daily calories should be taken
at breakfast, 35% for lunch, 30% for dinner, and 15% for a late evening snack. Fat intake
should be 30% or less of total calories, and protein intake should be approximately 0.9
grams per kg of body weight a day. Sucrose containing foods should be consumed in
moderation and midmorning and mid-afternoon snacks can help avoid hypoglycemia
DIABETIC WOUND CARE
Diabetic ulcers, particularly of the feet, are a serious complication of the disease.
Approximately 15%c of people with diabetes will develop foot ulcers, and amputations
as a result are relatively common.58 Risk factors that can identify a patient at risk for
ulceration include includes ischemia, neuropathy, deformity, callus formation, and
edema. Preventive measures include daily inspections by the patient and period
inspections by a health care professional, careful nail cutting, the proper treatment of
minor injuries, and selection of proper footwear that does not produce pressure points. If
an ulcer is present, use the following measures:59
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Offloading the foot: This can be accomplished by a change of shoes, crutches,
walkers, wheelchairs, some type of cast, or a specialized foam insert.
Wound control: The wound should be debrided to remove affected tissue, assess
the true degree of the ulcer, and reduce the bacterial load of the ulcer. Following
debridement, a dressing should be applied. The choice of dressing can be tailored
to the patient’s needs: there is no evidence that one type is better than another, but
the dressing should stay in place, minimize shear force, and not cause additional
tissue damage. Stimulation of wound healing can be accomplished by using
several different products. Regranex® is platelet-derived growth factor. It
stimulates fibroblasts and connective tissue cells, increasing cell growth and
repair, and its use has yielded impressive results. Dermagraft® is artificial human
dermis that is metabolically active, and it too can definitely improve wound
healing of diabetic ulcers. Apligraf® is a collagen gel that contains fibroblasts and
is covered by a layer of keratinocytes (cells that synthesize keratin, a protein that
is the primary component of epidermis) that has been proven to reduce the time to
wound closure. Hyaff® is an ester of hyaluronic acid, a primary component of the
extracellular matrix that increases the growth and movement of fibroblasts. When
it is applied to a diabetic wound, the hyaluronic acid contact with the tissue
stimulates granulation and healing. Hyperbaric oxygen has been used for healing
diabetic foot ulcers: some studies have proven it to be useful, others have not, and
there is no current consensus on its effectiveness.60,61 However, adequate
oxygenation is essential for wound healing, and dehydration, cold, stress, pain,
and cigarette smoking will affect adequate oxygen delivery to the tissue
Microbiological control: Topical antibacterials (e.g., silver compounds) can be
used, and if indicated, systemic antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, erythromycin, etc)
should be given.
Vascular control: Angioplasty and arterial bypass can be used successfully.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OF HYPOGLYCEMIA
Hypoglycemia is defined as a serum blood sugar less than 60 mg/dL, and it can be a true
medical emergency. Glucose is the primary energy source for the brain, and
hypoglycemia also causes myocardial stress: permanent brain damage, myocardial death
and death are possible with profound, prolonged hypolycemia (Goldfrank)
Patients who are hypoglycemic and have an altered mental status should be treated
with boluses of 50% dextrose iv and dextrose iv solutions. (Rowden) Drugs availabelfor
treating hypoglycemia are: (Rowden)
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Glucagon: Glucagon is a naturally occurring hormone that stimulates
gluconeogenessis through utilization of hepatic glycogen. It is given via
subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Nausea and vomiting are common side
effects.
Diazoxide: Diazoxide inhibits insulin release from the pancreas. Hypotension is a
major side effect.
Octreotide: Octreotide suppresses insulin secretion. Currently there is no defined
dosing or dosing schedule. Gastrointestinal upsets are the most common side
effects.
POST-TEST
1. Type I diabetes is characterized by:
a. Lack of insulin production.
b. Insulin resistance.
c. Obesity.
d. Certain body types.
2. Type II diabetes is characterized by:
a. Lack of insulin production.
b. Insulin resistance.
c. Certain body types.
d. Insulin resistance and impaired β cell function.
3. The compound that is needed to transport glucose into the cell is:
a. Glucagon.
b. Epinephrine.
c. Insulin.
d. Dopamine.
4. Normal fasting blood glucose is:
a. < 140
b. < 60
c. < 150
d. < 110
5. The test that can be used for long-term glycemic control is:
a. HbA1c.
b. Random glucose.
c. Serum creatinine.
d. Ketones.
6. The basic mechanism by which hyperglycemia damages tissues is:
a. Oxidative stress.
b. Hemolysis.
c. Infection.
d. Ischemia
7. Type I diabetes is thought to be caused by:
a. Trauma.
b. An autoimmune process
c. Smoking.
d. Obesity.
8. Type II diabetes is thought to be caused by:
a. Trauma.
b. An autoimmune process.
c. Obesity.
d. Smoking.
9. Signs and symptoms of diabetes include:
a. Edema, liver damage, and polyuria.
b. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia.
c. Polyuria, polydipsia, and peripheral edema.
d. Oliguria, polydipsia, and polyphagia.
10. Type II diabetes can be prevented by:
a. Weight loss and physical activity.
b. Weight loss and diet.
c. Immunosuppressive drugs and diet.
d. Diet and cessation of smoking.
11. True or false: Islet transplantation is a permanent cure for diabetes for all type I
diabetics.
a. True
b. False
12. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Pulmonary complications.
b. Liver damage.
c. Brain damage.
d. Cardiovascular disease.
13. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Diabetic retinopathy.
b. Pulmonary complications.
c. Liver damage.
d. Brain damage.
14. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Pulmonary complications.
b. Nephropathy.
c. Liver damage.
d. Systemic infections.
15. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Systemic infections.
b. Neuropathy.
c. Liver damage.
d. Bladder infections.
16. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Systemic infections.
b. Liver damage.
c. Myocarditis.
d. Impaired wound healing.
17. A common complication of diabetes is:
a. Cardiac arrhythmias.
b. Ketoacidosis.
c. Pulmonary edema.
d. Hepatitis.
18. Sulfonylureas work by:
a. Increasing insulin production.
b. Decreasing insulin production.
c. Gene transcription.
d. Decreasing glucose absorption.
19. The biguanide that is used to control diabetes is:
a. Rosaiglitazone.
b. Metformin.
c. Acarbose.
d. Exenatide.
20. True or false: Radical alterations in diet are recommended for people with type II
diabetes.
a. True
b. False
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