Diabetes mellitus, Type 2 FOLLOWUP

PATIENT MONITORING


  • Frequency of followup depends on compliance and degree of metabolic control. Every two to four months is typical.
  • Review of symptoms and home blood glucose levels
  • Hemoglobin A1c
  • Funduscopy
  • Cardiopulmonary exam
  • Foot exam for ulcers, arterial insufficiency, neuropathy
  • After five years, perform yearly: Ophthalmologist exam, monitor for proteinuria and renal insufficiency

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PREVENTION/AVOIDANCE
Avoidance of weight gain and obesity and maintenance of regular physical activity may prevent or delay NIDDM

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS


  • Appear to be due to effects of diabetes mellitus on arterial walls in one form or another
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Proliferative retinopathy
  • Nephropathy and chronic renal failure
  • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease
  • Hyperosmolar coma
  • Gangrene of extremities
  • Blindness
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Skin ulceration
  • Charcot joints

EXPECTED COURSE/PROGNOSIS


  • Maintenance of normal blood sugar levels may delay or prevent complications of diabetes
  • In susceptible individuals, complications begin to appear 10-15 years after onset, but can be present at time of diagnosis since disease may go undetected for years

Aug 09, 06 • Type 2 diabetes