Diabetes mellitus, Type 2

 

Pt with symptoms AND

2 fasting glu levels >125mg/dL

then = diabetes (no GTT)

 

Non-ketosis prone hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance due to defects in insulin secretion and peripheral insulin action.

80% of diabetic cases.

Genetics: Strong polygenic familial susceptibility. Concordance is nearly complete in identical twins.

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Related to hyperglycemia and complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy

Polyuria

Polydipsia

Polyphagia

Weight loss

Weakness

Fatigue

Frequent infections

 

LABORATORY

Criteria for diagnosis

Symptoms of diabetes (polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss) plus casual (random) plasma glucose >=200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)or

Fasting plasma glucose >=126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) on 2 occasionsor

2 hour plasma glucose >=200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) during OGTT with 75 g glucose load

LFTs, amylase, lipase - abd pain


TREATMENT

 

APPROPIATE HEALTH CARE

Regular outpatient follow-up except for complicating emergencies such as severe hyperglycemia, hyperosmolar coma, and severe infections

 

GENERAL MEASURES

Home monitoring of blood glucose

Regular examination for complications: retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy

 

ACTIVITY

Regular aerobic exercise can improve glucose tolerance and decrease medication requirements

 

DIET

American Diabetes Association (ADA) provides dietary recommendations for NIDDM. The emphasis is on achieving glucose, lipid, and blood pressure goals. Mild caloric restriction is recommended to achieve mild to moderate weight loss (5-10 kg).

Food choices are similar to Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid:

10-20% of calories from protein

< 10% of calories each from saturated and polyunsaturated fat

Remainder of calories from monounsaturated fat and carbohydrates, depending on individual patient factors

Sugar is not specifically prohibited

 

PATIENT EDUCATION

Education is critical for patients with NIDDM. Include information on the disease, medication treatment, self-monitoring, foot care, physical activity and diet management

Support groups and classes certified by the ADA are recommended

The ADA has prepared numerous patient education materials (430 North Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 or contact local ADA affiliate listed in white pages of telephone directory)


MEDICATIONS

DRUG(S) OF CHOICE

The following classes of agents may be used alone or in combination-

Biguanide

Metformin (Glucophage) 500-850 mg bid-tid. Avoid metformin in situations which increase risk for lactic acidosis: renal insufficiency, radiocontrast agents, surgery or acute illnesses such as liver disease, cardiogenic shock, pancreatitis or hypoxia. Use caution in CBF, alcohol abuse, elderly or with tetracycline.

Sulfonylureas

Glimepiride (Amaryl) 1-8 mg/d in 1 dose

Glipizide (Glucotrol) 2.5-40 mg/d in 1-2 doses (1st 20 mg in AM)

Glipizide extended release tablets 5-20 mg/d in 1 dose

Glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase) 1.25-20 mg/d in 1-2 doses (1st 10 mg in AM)

Note: sulfonylureas may be taken with meals except glipizide which should be taken 30 min before meals

Thiazolidinediones

Pioglitazone (Actos) 15-45 mg qd

Rosiglitazone (Avandia) 2-4 mg bid. Monitor serum transaminase q 2 mo for 1st year.

a-Glucosidase inhibitors

Acarbose(Precose)25-100 mg tid

Miglitol (Glyset) 25-100 mg tid taken at beginning of meals to decrease postprandial glucose peaks. Avoid use in renal insufficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulceration or partial bowel obstruction.

 

Contraindications:

To oral agents: type I (insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus, ketotic patient, pregnancy, history of specific drug allergy

Use caution in liver or renal disease and acute infection or stress

Precautions:

Warn patients of signs of hypo- and hyperglycemia

Home glucose monitoring (1-4 times/d) recommended for most patients taking insulin

Significant possible interactions:

Drugs which may potentiate sulfonylureas include: salicylates, clofibrate, warfarin (Coumadin), chloramphenicol, ethanol, and ACE inhibitors

Beta-blockers may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia and delay return to normoglycemia

Thiazolidinedione pioglitazone may decrease effectiveness of oral contraceptives

Drugs which bind others in the intestine, such as cholestyramine resin, should be taken at least 2 hours apart from a-glucosidase inhibitors

 

ALTERNATIVE DRUGS

First generation sulfonylureas

Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) 100-500 mg/d in 1 dose

Tolazamide (Tolinase) 100-1000 mg/d in 1-2 doses

Tolbutamide (Orinase) 500-3000 mg/d in 2-3 doses

Insulin - lispro, regular, NPH, Lente, Ultralente in 1 or preferably 2-3 injections per day. Insulin may be used in combination with oral agents. Most often required in late stages of Type 2 diabetes mellitus when oral agents fail to control blood glucose.

Meglitinide

Repaglinide (Prandin) 0.5-4 mg before meals tid. May be useful in patients with sulfa allergy who are not candidates for sulfonylureas.


FOLLOWUP

PATIENT MONITORING

Frequency of followup depends on compliance and degree of metabolic control. Every two to four months is typical.

Review of symptoms and home blood glucose levels

Hemoglobin A1c

Funduscopy

Cardiopulmonary exam

Foot exam for ulcers, arterial insufficiency, neuropathy

After five years, perform yearly: Ophthalmologist exam, monitor for proteinuria and renal insufficiency

 

PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE

Avoidance of weight gain and obesity and maintenance of regular physical activity may prevent or delay NIDDM

 

EXPECTED COURSE/PROGNOSIS

Maintenance of normal blood sugar levels may delay or prevent complications of diabetes

In susceptible individuals, complications begin to appear 10-15 years after onset, but can be present at time of diagnosis since disease may go undetected for years 

 

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Pediatric: Occasional cases of nonketosis-prone diabetes mellitus have been seen in children

Geriatric: Common in the elderly and is a significant contributing factor to blindness, renal failure, and lower limb amputations

Others: Generally diagnosed after age 40

 

PREGNANCY

Diabetes can cause significant maternal complications and fetal wasting. Intensive management has improved the outcome dramatically.