Diagnosis of diabetes

Other related articles
An expert committee of the American Diabetes Association recently recommended a change in the names of the two main types of diabetes since the previous names generated confusion. The type of diabetes known as Type I, juvenile diabetes beginning, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is now known as one type of diabetes. The type of diabetes that was known as Type II, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult diabetes is now two type of diabetes. The new names reflect the effort to stop basing the names in the beginning of treatment or age.

A lower figure for the Diagnosis is Diabetes. The expert committee also recommended a lower level of fasting plasma glucose (GPA) to make the diagnosis of diabetes. The new value of GPA is 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg / dL) or greater, as opposed to 140 mg / dL or higher. This recommendation was based on a review of the results of more than 15 years of research. This research showed that a level of fasting blood glucose of 126 mg / dL or more is associated with an increased risk of diabetes complications affecting the eyes, nerves and kidneys. When the diagnosis was based on a blood glucose level of 140 mg / dL or higher, these complications are often developed before the diagnosis of diabetes. Experts believe that early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or delay the costly and burdensome that presents complications of diabetes.

The criteria for diagnosing pre-diabetes were based mainly on the conduct of a trial of oral glucose tolerance (PTOG). In this test, a person must come in fasting, drink glucose syrup and 2 hours later he took another blood sample. This complicated procedure made the detection and diagnosis of diabetes was a difficult and complicated process, and the committee of experts recommended its elimination from clinical use. The change to using the fasting plasma glucose to determine the presence of diabetes will make detection and diagnosis of diabetes is more straightforward. The value can be obtained easily fasting during the medical consultation, installed in clinics in the workplace and in other situations. Currently, about 5 to 6 million adults in the United States have diabetes but do not know. This simple method for assessing the fasting glucose should help identify these people so they can reap the benefits of early treatment.

The experts suggest that adults aged 45 or over are evaluated for diabetes. If your blood sugar is normal after the first test, should be re-evaluated every 3 years. Those under 45 should be evaluated if they are at high risk for diabetes. These risk factors are:

* Be 20% above the ideal body weight or have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more. The BMI is the ratio of weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). (Your doctor or dietitian can give you information about your BMI).
* Having a mother, father, brother or sister with diabetes.
* African American, Native Alaskan, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic American or American of the Pacific Islands.
* Giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5 kg or diabetes during pregnancy.
* Have blood pressure equal to or greater than 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
* Having abnormal levels of lipids in the blood, such as HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg / dL or triglycerides over 250 mg / dL.
* Have to abnormal glucose tolerance, if it has been previously assessed for diabetes.

The committee reports that diabetes can be detected by any of these 3 positive tests. To confirm the diagnosis should have a second positive test on another day.

* A casual plasma glucose level (taken at any time of day) from 200 mg / dL or higher when there are symptoms of diabetes.
* A level of fasting plasma glucose of 126 mg / dL or higher.
* A value of PTOG blood of 200 mg / dL or more measured in the range of 2 hours.

As mentioned above, the committee recommended not using the PTOG.
The expert panel also suggested a change in the assessment of diabetes during pregnancy, reporting that women with low risk of gestational diabetes do not need to be evaluated. This group includes low-risk women:

* Children under 25 years of age.
* With a normal body weight.
* No family history of diabetes.
* Not belonging to any ethnic group at high risk.

All women who are not in the category of low risk should be assessed for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes between the 28th and 24th week of pregnancy. The evaluation procedure requires the ingestion of a glucose drink and the measurement of blood glucose 1 hour later. If the value of blood glucose is 140 mg / dL or higher then women should be re-evaluated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETES
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse collects information about diabetes for the Combined Health Information Database (CHID). The CHID is a database produced by the agencies related to the health of the Federal Government. This database provides titles, abstracts and information available to health and education resources for health.

In order to provide the most updated information specialists at the headquarters set up an automatic search of CHID. For this information you can see the results of the automatic search of the Monitor on Diagnose Diabetes.

Or, if you prefer to conduct their search in the database, you can access the website and CHID online search personally.

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of the National Institutes of Health, a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States. Established in 1978, the headquarters generates information about diabetes for people with diabetes and their families, health professionals and the public. NDIC answers questions; develops reviews and distributes publications, and works closely with professional organizations and patients and government agencies to coordinate resources about diabetes.

Publications produced by headquarters are carefully reviewed to ensure scientific accuracy, content and readability.

This electronic text is not copyrighted. The seat allows users of this electronic publication to copy and distribute copies as they wish.

Other articles on the topic

* Diabetes and Pregnancy - the need for medical follow-up
* Diabetes, a growing pandemic
* Diabetes is a warning sign for heart disease