title: Type 2 diabetes: a case study.
abstract: Increased prevalence of diabetes in the community has been accompanied by an increase in diabetes in hospitalised patients. About a quarter of these patients experience a hypoglycaemic episode during their admission, which is associated with increased risk of mortality and length of stay. This article examines the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes using a case study approach. The psychosocial implications for the patient are also discussed. The case study is based on a patient with diabetes who was admitted to hospital following a hypoglycaemic episode and cared for during a practice placement. The importance of early diagnosis of diabetes and the adverse effects of delayed diagnosis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noble
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
keywords: Blood glucose; case study; diabetes; glucose testing; hyperglycaemia; hypoglycaemia; insulin resistance; sulfonylureas; type 2 diabetes