Diabetes mellitus has its highest prevalence rates among the geriatric population. Diabetes increases the risk of “large” blood vessel disease, especially …
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Link
Incidence:
Diabetes mellitus has its highest prevalence rates among the geriatric
population As many as 20 of people aged 75 and over may be affected
African American young old age 65-74 are more affected than their white
counterparts
Signs/Symptoms
The vast majority of patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes are 90,
and many may be asymptomatic
Contributing Factors
Contributions to the high rates of diabetes in elderly persons are obesity,
sedentary life style, genetics, and drug use that may increase glucose
levels eg glucocorticoids
Complications:
Diabetes complications significantly impact the quality of life of elderly
patients
Diabetes increases the risk of large blood vessel disease, especially
coronary heart disease heart attacks, cerebrovascular disease stroke,
and peripheral vascular disease limb amputation Microvascular small
vessel complications include retinopathy with vision loss, nephropathy
kidney failure, and neuropathy affecting gait, balance, and skin
integrity
Management:
Management often requires a multidisciplinary team approach including
physicians primary care, ophthalmology, vascular
surgery,
physiatry/rehabilitation, nurses, dieticians, diabetes educators,
pharmacists, and podiatrists - to name a few Reducing complications of
diabetes can result in improved outcomes and higher quality of life for
elderly diabetic patients
———————–
For more information on specific topics please contact:
Primary Contact: Edmund Duthie, Jr, MD eduthie@mcwedu
Diabetes: Edith Burns, MD eburns@mcwedu
Vascular Disease: Edmund Duthie Jr, MD eduthie@mcwedu,
Management of Chronic Illness: Mary Cohan, MD mcohan@mcwedu and
Susie Stewart, RN, BSN lsstewart@fmlhedu Sr Health Program
Mr Karl Andrews portrayal begins with his recent retirement at age 65 He
will progressively appear throughout the MCW 4-year curriculum, aging
with each curriculum year During your 4-year curriculum, you will become
Mr Andrews physician giving you the opportunity to provide continuous
care and make decisions regarding how to care for his complications, select
appropriate medical interventions, and coordinate multiple care providers
Mr Andrews has a history of smoking, is overweight, has hypertension,
diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypercholesterolemia As the case
develops, he develops
atherosclerotic vascular disease with critical limb
ischemia, and later a stroke
MCWs
Virtual Patient Case 1
Mr Karl Andrews
Source:auch.org
