Diabetes mellitus clinical presentation

Cardiovascular complications and atherosclerosis are more prevalent in diabetic than in nondiabetic human beings (1-4). In this report on monkeys with a high percentage of spontaneous diabetes mellitus, I present preliminary data which relate the dietary regimen and clinical history of these animals to the eventual development of atherosclerosis. Although the number of... 

Julie Singer is a 55-year-old white woman who was admitted to the emergency department in acute distress. A previous physical examination showed hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2. The patient s present medications include enalapril 40 mg, nifedipine 60 mg, and 100 U insulin. A physical examination revealed prominent ankle edema, a palpable spleen, and hepatomegaly. Chest radiography revealed diffuse cardiac enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy. Based upon the history and clinical hndings, what is your diagnosis and what treatment do you recommend ... 

The clinical manifestations of PAD are associated with reduction in functional capacity and quality of life, but because of the systemic nature of the atherosclerotic process there is a strong association with coronary and carotid artery disease. Consequently, patients with PAD have an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic events [myocardial infarction (Ml), ischemic stroke, and death] compared to the general population (4,5). In addition, these cardiovascular ischemic events are more frequent than ischemic limb events in any lower extremity PAD cohort, whether individuals present without symptoms or with atypical leg pain, classic claudication, or critical limb ischemia (6). Therefore, aggressive treatment of known risk factors for progression of atherosclerosis is warranted. In addition to tobacco cessation, encouragement of daily exercise and use of a low cholesterol, low salt diet, PAD patients should be offered therapies to reduce lipid levels, control blood pressure, control blood glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus, and offer other effective antiatherosclerotic strategies. A recent position paper... 

Although there is still debate about its significance, mildly increased excretion (20 to 300mg/L) of albumin, so-called microalbuminuria (more correctly termed minimal albuminuria or paucialhuminuria), appears to be a predictor of future development of clinical renal disease in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus. It is important to remember that tubular and postrenal causes of albuminuria may also be present in association with these disorders. 

Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from a cellular-mediated autoimmune destruction of the insuhn-secreting cells of pancreatic p-cells. In the vast majority of patients, the destruction is mediated by T cells. This is termed type lA or immune-mediated diabetes (Box 25-2). The a-, 8-, and other islet cells are preserved. The islet cells have a chronic mononuclear cell infiltrate, called insulitis. The autoimmune process leading to type 1 diabetes begins months or years before the clinical presentation, and an 80% to 90% reduction in the volume of the j3-cells is required to induce symptomatic type 1 diabetes. The rate of islet cell destruction is variable and is usually more rapid in children than in adults. 

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