Diabetes complications

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	Time: 16 hours Level: Introductory

	Introduction Introduction Resource This unit is taken from Chapter 5 of the OU course Diabetes care; we hope you find studying with us a valuable experience. This course is designed to inform people from a variety of backgrounds about diabetes...

	1 Assessing diabetes complication risk factors 1.1 Having tests Resource The following story (Case Study 1) illustrates that diabetes care is about more than checking your blood glucose level regularly. However, it can be difficult for people to understand why certain tests... 1.2 Discovering the risks Resource The incidence of diabetes is dramatically increasing both nationally and worldwide. This is of great concern because of the debilitating day-to-day effects of the condition if it is not controlled, but... 1.3 The diabetes annual review Resource The function of the diabetes annual review is to identify risk factors. The GP or a doctor in the hospital diabetes team may perform this review, while other members of the team, for example the practice... 1.4 What monitoring is carried out at the annual review? Resource The diabetes annual review consists of a series of tests to monitor risk factors as well as the presence of any signs of diabetes complications. It also involves an assessment of the self-management skills...

	2 Monitoring blood glucose levels 2.1 Blood glucose levels Resource Most people with diabetes are encouraged to keep their day-to-day blood glucose level between 4 and 7 mmol/l before meals. This is very similar to the blood glucose range of someone who does not have diabetes.... 2.2 Self-monitoring of blood glucose Resource Many people with diabetes are encouraged to monitor their blood glucose as it gives them immediate feedback to help them in the day-to-day management of the condition. It can help them to make decisions... 2.3 Self-monitoring of urine glucose Resource Some people may choose not to test their blood glucose. They may instead test for the presence of glucose in their urine as a measure of blood glucose control. In someone without diabetes, the amount of... 2.4 Venous blood sampling Resource The most accurate method for measuring blood glucose is to take a sample of blood from a vein (a venous sample) that is then tested in a laboratory. (This will result in a plasma glucose level.) This is... 2.5 HbA1c levels Resource Another way of assessing blood glucose control is by measuring the glycated haemoglobin. This test is abbreviated to HbA1c . Haemoglobin is a protein that is found in red blood cells and its function...

	3 Monitoring ketone levels 3 Monitoring ketone levels Resource Ketones, which are formed when fats in the body are broken down, are an alternative energy source, and are usually only present when there is insufficient glucose to meet the body's energy requirements....

	4 Monitoring lipid levels 4 Monitoring lipid levels Resource Another common blood test that is often taken at the same time as the venous blood sample for HbA1c is for the lipid profile. Lipids are fats, and they can be found in the blood. The target for ideal blood...

	5 Blood pressure monitoring 5 Blood pressure monitoring Resource High blood pressure (hypertension) is another common problem in people with diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes. Along with dyslipidaemia, it is strongly associated with a high risk of developing CHD....

	6 Calculating body mass index 6 Calculating body mass index Resource Being overweight is another risk factor for CHD, as well as a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Assessing whether somebody is overweight can be done in two ways. Simply weighing someone may not...

	7 Making sense of the measurements 7 Making sense of the measurements Resource It is clear that there are several risk factors that contribute to diabetes complications, and that must be assessed at least annually, and treated if possible to reduce the risk of damage. The risk factors...

	8 Summary 8 Summary Resource This unit covered the annual review for people with diabetes. You have seen that even if someone feels they are in good health, they may still have risk factors that could increase the chances of getting...

	9 Questions 9 Questions Resource The Learning Outcomes can be found at the start of this unit

	References and Acknowledgements References Resource Acknowledgements Resource