Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Endocrinology

Insulin resistance and progressive β-cell failure causing chronic hyperglycaemia.

Risk factors

  • Age
  • Obesity
  • Family history
  • Ethnicity (S Asian, Afro-Caribbean)
  • GDM history
  • PCOS

Clinical features

  • Often asymptomatic
  • Polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss
  • Recurrent infections
  • Blurred vision

Investigations

  • HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%)
  • Fasting glucose ≥7
  • OGTT 2-h ≥11.1
  • Random glucose ≥11.1 + symptoms
  • Annual: ACR, eGFR, lipids, BP, foot, retinal screen

Management

  • Lifestyle: diet, exercise, weight loss
  • Metformin first-line
  • Add SGLT2i if CV/CKD risk; GLP-1RA if obesity or CV risk
  • Sulfonylurea / DPP4i / insulin as adjunct
  • BP <140/90 (<130/80 if albuminuria)
  • Statin if QRISK ≥10%

Complications

  • Macro: CV, stroke, PAD
  • Micro: retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy
  • Foot ulcer / Charcot
  • DKA (T2DM with SGLT2i — euglycaemic)

Clinical pearls

  • SGLT2i CV + renal benefit
  • Remission possible with weight loss within 6 yr of diagnosis

Educational — verify locally.

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