Case Study 1
Mr GM. 58 years old. Diagnosed inn 2015 with T2DM during acute hospital admission following an unconscious collapse. Staff where he lives reported a 10-day period of being off his food and was reporting polydipsia, polyuria and increasing weakness. He also experienced episodes of vomiting and dia
hoea resulting in significant dehydration.
Lives in a Supported Residential Care facility (SRF) with minimal support.
Medical history:
Paranoid Schizophrenia with a history of apathy, listlessness and indifference
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Recent exace
ation with cu
ent maintenance dose of glucocorticoid 5mg.
Mo
id Obesity BMI 45.1 kg/m2
Two BGL’s of 6.3mmol/L and 6.9mmol/L (relation to food unknown) taken in 2014 during hospitalisation but not followed up.
Routine Medications:
Quetiapine
Sodium Valproate
Findings at diagnosis:
HbA1c 12% (108mmol/mol)
Blood osmolality 352mOs/kg
Ketones 4.6mmol/L
Antibodies for Type 1 diabetes negative
Urine microbiology – positive for urinary tract infection
Serial troponin levels normal
Treated initially with fluids and rapid acting insulin.
Discharged on Gliclazide MR 120mg daily, Metformin 1g twice daily and Lantus 100 units nocte
Refe
als made to dietitian, diabetes educator and podiatrist with liaison with SRF manager. He declined a mental health worker.
Ongoing care was in the hands of his GP.
Case Study 2
Mr JS 47 years of age. Single.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1995 at 17 years of age. Reports unawareness of symptoms until he became unable to rouse one morning when his parents called an ambulance. On questioning they reported rapid weight loss, lack of energy, polydipsia and polyuria over the preceding couple of weeks. Pathology at diagnosis is unknown. Commenced on twice daily Actrapid and Protaphane insulin.
No family history of diabetes
Works on a casual basis at the local pub.
Non-smoker. Minimal alcohol.
Background:
JS reports that his attention to diabetes was poor when he was a teenager and young adult. Now managing self-care. “Would do things differently if he could wind back clock”.
Pathology results:
2003
BGL 22.3 mmol/L
HbA1c 12.4%
serum creatinine 140 µmol/L
ica
onate 9 mmol/L
Hb 120g/L
2011
Glucose 17.2mmol/L
HbA1c 8.2%
Creatinine 342 µmol/L
eGFR 19 ml/min
ica
26 mmol/L
Hb125g/L
2019
BGL 3.0mmol/L
HbA1c 9.5%
Creatinine 477 µmol/L
eGFR 12 ml/min
ica
29mmol/L
Hb 111g/L
Changed to basal bolus insulin several years ago. Was on Glargine (Lantus) 25 units at night. Novorapid 12 units before each meal.
Past Medical History includes retinopathy treated with laser and amputation L) hallux three years ago.
Recent hospitalisation for hypoglycaemia. Had two episodes at work. Unsure of reason. Was surprised when his measured BGL was 2.7mmol/L.
Insulin dose reduced to Lantus 20 units nocte and Novorapid 6 units before each meal with no further hypoglycaemia. Was seen by a DNE and had his sick day plan revised. Will contact for insulin titration. JS reported he would like his HbA1c to be 7%.
Cu
ent medication:
Ramipril 5mg bd
Lercandipine 20mg nocte
Da
opoetin alpha 20mcg weekly
Calcium ca
onate 600mg bd
Calcitriol 0.25mcg daily
Case Study 3
Ms GP 58yo from India. Recently diagnosed with Type 2 DM
One grown up child. Weighed 4kg at birth.
Presented to her GP with recu
ent urinary tract infections and fatigue
Wt 66kg Ht 1.56m Waist circumference 88cm
Non smoker. No alcohol
No regular exercise
Works as personal care assistant in nursing home
Strong family history of T2DM, sister and mothe
FBG 6.1mmol/L
OGTT 2-hour 11.4mmol/L.
HbA1c 5.9%
Commenced on Metformin 500mg bd
No blood glucose monitoring commenced
GP management plan includes exercise physiologist, podiatrist, diabetes educator and ophthalmologist
Past Medical history
Dyslipidaemia treated with Lipitor 40mg for past 5 years. (Cu
ent lipid results in normal range)
BP 140/80mmHg
Serum creatinine 162 umol/L. Normal urinalysis with no microalbuminuria
Mild elevation of liver function tests for the past couple of years