Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
12:08
Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Glycaemic instability is an underestimated problem in Type II diabetes
Stephan F E Praet1, Ralph J F Manders, Ruth C R Meex
1Department of Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. S.Praet@mmc.nl
Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|April 15, 2006
Summary
Continuous glucose monitoring reveals significant hyperglycaemia in Type II diabetes patients, underestimated by standard tests. This highlights the need for advanced monitoring to manage blood glucose excursions and prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Diabetes Research
Background:
- Standard glycaemic control measurements may not fully capture hyperglycaemia in Type II diabetes.
- Postprandial hyperglycaemia is linked to macro- and micro-vascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess 24-hour blood glucose profiles in Type II diabetes patients versus healthy controls.
- To compare continuous glucose monitoring with standard blood analyses under controlled conditions.
- To identify contributors to hyperglycaemia in Type II diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 24-hour continuous subcutaneous glucose-monitoring system (CGMS) in 11 Type II diabetes patients and 11 controls.
- Standardized diet and physical activity for all participants.
- Measured fasting plasma glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and performed oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT).
Main Results:
- Type II diabetes patients experienced hyperglycaemia for 55% of the time, compared to 2% in controls.
- Breakfast significantly contributed to hyperglycaemia and glycaemic instability (46%).
- HbA1c correlated with hyperglycaemia duration and postprandial glucose responses in diabetes patients.
Conclusions:
- CGMS demonstrates that standard glycaemic control tests underestimate hyperglycaemia in Type II diabetes.
- CGMS is a valuable tool for evaluating therapeutic strategies to reduce blood glucose excursions.
- Addressing postprandial hyperglycaemia is crucial for preventing diabetes-related vascular damage.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
01:24Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.
01:19Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the kidneys...
01:22Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
01:29Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
01:26Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...