For this discussion post, you will need to write an original
post of at least 450 words. Then respond to at least two peers by
Saturday.
Nearly everyone knows someone with type 2 diabetes. It may be
your grandfather, mother, professor, or even the young person
sitting next to you. Those with type 2 diabetes often do not talk
about it and may not even realize they have it. Type 2 diabetes
mellitus is rapidly increasing in the United States in parallel
with the increase in levels of obesity. Those with a family history
are especially prone to developing the disease. Over 30 million
people in the United States are living with type 2 diabetes and
the medical care and social costs are estimated at over $300
billion dollars a year. It is predicted that by 2025 there will be
over 50 million people with type 2 diabetes costing the country
over $500 billion if current trends continue. Type 2 diabetes is a
progressive disease which affects blood vessels and nerves and
thereby impacts nearly every organ in the body. The impact on the
feet from neuropathy and diminished blood supply may lead to
infections and amputations. The impact on the retina can lead to
blindness while the impact on the kidneys is among the leading
cause of renal failure requiring expensive hemodialysis or
transplantation. The impact on the blood vessels also increases
the probability of coronary artery disease and stroke. Most
recently an increased risk of dementia has been recognized. Thus,
type 2 diabetes ranks at the very top of the conditions classified
as a 21st-century epidemic. Testing for diabetes is increasingly
being done as part of routine health care using the hemoglobin Ale
blood test which measures average blood sugar control over a
2-month period. Many of the newly recognized diabetics have mild
disease that would greatly benefit from weight loss. Weight loss
has been the approach to preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes
for many years. Even loss of 5% of body weight can have a
substantial impact on blood sugars. Approaches to weight loss
include a variety of partially successful diets most of which can
reduce weight in the short run, but all of which are difficult for
individuals to maintain in the longer run. Gastric bypass surgery,
despite its costs and potential side effects, has been shown to
have an immediate effect on type 2 diabetes even before the impacts
of weight loss occur. It is now often recommended for those with
type 2 diabetes and a BMI of greater than 35. Management of most
patients with type 2 diabetes requires the efforts of several
types of clinicians. A primary care clinician, and increasingly a
nurse practitioner or physician assistant, is often key. Other
health professionals who are needed for high quality preventive
care may include nutritionists to work with patients on their
eating habits, podiatrists to prevent and treat foot problems, as
well as optometrists and ophthalmologists to identify and treat
diabetic eye problems to prevent blindness. Type 2 diabetes is
often cited as a disease which requires shared decision-making and
self-care. Ifinsulin is required for management of the disease,
adjustment to prevent high and low blood sugars often rests on the
knowledge and engagement of patients and families. Type 2 diabetes
can be a very expensive disease to treat especially when
hospitalization is required for very high blood sugar or for
complications of the disease. Treatment of high blood pressure
among type 2 diabetics has been shown to reduce costs as have
annual influenza vaccinations. Early identification of damage to
the retina from type 2 diabetes and laser treatment has been shown
to be an effective and low cost approach to preventing blindness.
Studies of the underlying mechanism for the development and
progression of diabetes may in the future lead to better methods
for prevention and treatment. An increasing number of treatments
for type 2 diabetes have been approved by the U.S. FDA. It is not
yet clear which treatments work best and for whom they are most
effective. Comparative effectiveness research is now under way to
help clinicians tailor the available treatments to the individual
patient.
1. Identify interventions discussed in this case which can be
classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary. Explain.
2. Identify ways that this case suggests that coordination of
health care can improve the quality of care for type 2 diabetics.
Explain.
3. Identify ways that this case suggests that the cost of care
for type 2 diabetes can be reduced while increasing or maintaining
quality. Explain.
4. What role should society at large play in reducing the
epidemic of obesity? How should it be accomplished?
5. How would you suggest combining the approaches to type 2
diabetes discussed in this case to prevent and treat type 2
diabetes?Explain.