Cell health depends on a steady supply of fuel from glucose and free fatty acids. Both these major fuels are regulated by insulin. Cells in the muscle, liver, and fat need insulin to receive glucose, and hence do not become exposed to high blood glucose levels when the blood sugars are high and insulin levels are low. The lack of insulin slows the movement of glucose into these cells, and probably spares them from damage when blood sugars are high. However, other cells such as those in the brain, nervous system, heart, blood vessels and kidneys pick up glucose directly from the blood without using insulin. These cells, except the brain, are more prone to damage from high blood sugars because they become exposed to high internal levels of glucose. This to quite an extent explains why damage tends to occur in specific organs such as in nerve and kidney cells, and in small blood vessels like those in the eyes. This project on the organ damage in diabetes is an attempt to elaborate on the various factors to be considered in managing these patients, the pointers for early diagnosis and prevention of the same.

The insulin resistance syndrome can be defined as insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, and their associated co-morbidities. Clinically, the term insulin resistance syndrome describes a constellation of abnormalities such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes/hyperglycemia, and coronary artery disease. Insulin is responsible for glucose uptake into the body cells and tissues. The response of the cells to insulin varies from individual to individual. In some individuals, the tissue response to insulin may be diminished. This means that even with adequate levels of insulin, the glucose uptake into the cells and tissues is not optimal. This results in a compensatory over-secretion of insulin from the pancreas. The persistence of high levels of insulin in the blood or hyperinsulinemia is thought to be responsible for some of the abnormalities associated with this condition. However, the exact causal association of the condition with these disorders and the pathophysiology of their evolution are unclear. The most common underlying mechanism proposed is increased free fatty acids from abdominal fat in individuals with central obesity. This leads to deranged insulin signaling, reduced muscular glucose uptake, increased triglyceride synthesis, and hepatic gluconeogenesis. A genetic basis of the disease as well as several other factors such as tumor necrosis factor-a, adiponectin, leptin, Interleukin-6, and some adipokines have also been implicated. Insulin resistance syndrome is of clinical significance because of its association with potentially debilitating conditions that contribute to long-term morbidity and even mortality of the individual. People with insulin resistance syndrome are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction, polycystic ovarian disease, and fatty liver. In this book, we have tried to collate the experiences of the pioneers of this field on the subject and provide the reader a comprehensive view on the topic along with practical management points, which we are sure will benefit the physicians in their clinical practice. The contributors have focused on the condition as is prevalent in our subcontinent and have tried to give an insight on the issues pertaining to the same with a topical flavor.

Critical Issues and Diabetes - ECAB - E-Book

Patients with diabetes are predisposed to infections. The risk ratio for infectious disease-related hospitalization for diabetic versus nondiabetic persons is more than 2, and almost 2 for death attributable to infection. Infections in diabetes may precipitate metabolic derangements and, conversely, the metabolic derangements of diabetes may facilitate infection. Abnormalities in the microvascular circulation of individuals with diabetes may result in decreased tissue perfusion, which facilitates the acquisition of infection and impairs response to therapy. The incidence of TB among diabetic patients is 2–5 times higher when compared to the general population, which recently has raised the concern that a combination of DM and HIV infection might lead to a further increased incidence of TB in India and in other developing nations. However, it is unclear whether diabetes is an independent risk for common upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Urinary tract is also reported to be the most prevalent site of infection in patients with diabetes. These infections are known to account for a relatively smaller percentage of reported patients probably due to the fact that most patients, including diabetics, with urinary tract infection are treated as outpatients. A number of long-term effects of diabetes mellitus on the genitourinary system predispose diabetic patients to bacterial urinary tract infections. In addition, complications of urinary tract infection (e.g., bacteremia, renal abscesses, and renal papillary necrosis) are more common in patients with than without diabetes. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis and emphysematous pyelonephritis are some of the less commonly reported conditions seen in diabetics though being important pathologies. The primary goal of this book is to provide a high-quality, evidence-based text on the various aspects of the associations of various infections in diabetics with prime focus on TB and diabetes, rare conditions such as rhinocerebral mucormycosis and emphysematous pyelonephritis and also the various acute infections commonly reported in the condition. The book includes in-depth analysis of the diagnostic and management issues considering the same.

Decision making in instituting insulin therapy is an important aspect of diabetes management. The appropriate insulin regimen for an individual patient should take into account the patient’s lifestyle, age, motivation, general health, self-management skills, and treatment goals. In addition, a discussion of the newer insulins versus older insulin is a much desired topic in the Indian context. Another area of interest is the insulin delivery mechanism in the intensive care units in hospital settings. This CME module is designed to address such questions with supportive typical clinical scenarios, with which all readers will be able to identify. Thus it provides an excellent opportunity to widen one’s perspective in this area.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a greater risk of developing atherosclerotic macrovascular diseases like myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. There is 2- to 4-fold increased risk of atherosclerotic heart disease and stroke in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients. As the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly, this diabetes related atherosclerotic disease is predicted to be a major public health problem. Atherosclerosis is a complex process and in diabetic patients, it behaves differently with increased lesion progression and severity. This accelerated atherosclerotic process in diabetics is explained on the basis of several risk factors like hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, accelerated formation of advanced glycation end products, increased oxidative stress, and genetic factors. It is difficult to establish precisely the elements responsible for this atherosclerosis in diabetics, but by epidemiological, clinical, and by animal studies, it has been possible to get an idea of this problem in diabetics. Of the several risk factors for atherosclerosis in diabetes, dyslipidemia is the leading one, and an insight into the pathophysiologic relation of isolated triglyceridemia in Indian diabetics with the identification of the targets for control of lipids in diabetes (practical vs. ideal) needs to be well understood by the treating physician. This book is designed to address such issues with supportive typical clinical scenarios, with which the readers will be able to identify. Thus, it provides an excellent opportunity to widen one’s perspective in this area.

Of all lower extremity amputations, 40–70% are related to diabetes. In most studies, the incidence of lower leg amputation is estimated to be 5–25/100,000 inhabitants/year: among people with diabetes the number is 6–8/1,000. Lower extremity amputations are usually preceded by a foot ulcer in people with diabetes. The most important factors related to the development of these ulcers are peripheral neuropathy, foot deformities, minor foot trauma, and peripheral vascular disease. The spectrum of foot lesions varies in different regions of the world due to differences in socioeconomic conditions, standards of foot care and quality of footwear. This clinical update is designed to address this condition in a comprehensive way to help the reader take important questions while managing the patient with supportive typical clinical scenarios, with which all readers will be able to identify. Thus it provides an excellent opportunity to widen one’s perspective in this area.