Management of diabetes mellitus in terminally ill cancer patients

Zbigniew Zylicz

Vol 9, No 3 (2010)

Review articles

Published online: 2010-12-27

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Management of diabetes mellitus in terminally ill cancer patients

Zbigniew Zylicz

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2010;9(3):99-102.

Vol 9, No 3 (2010)

Review articles

Published online: 2010-12-27

Abstract

Many patients not only with cancer cared for by palliative care services suffer of diabetes. Treatment of diabetes in palliative care differs markedly from general medicine. Patients in palliative care usually have short prognosis and treatment targets are related more to the possible symptoms of hyper- or hypo-glycaemia and less to prevention of long term complications. Therefore monitoring of plasma blood glucose can be done less often. In this article we discuss all aspects of plasma glucose control in terminally ill. We also discuss problem of hyperglycaemia induced by steroids. The use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin, together or separately, is discussed in detail. For patients near the end of life and on insulin, we propose a scheme with once daily plasma glucose monitoring and once daily administration of long acting insulin.

Adv. Pall. Med. 2010; 9, 3: 99–102

Abstract

Many patients not only with cancer cared for by palliative care services suffer of diabetes. Treatment of diabetes in palliative care differs markedly from general medicine. Patients in palliative care usually have short prognosis and treatment targets are related more to the possible symptoms of hyper- or hypo-glycaemia and less to prevention of long term complications. Therefore monitoring of plasma blood glucose can be done less often. In this article we discuss all aspects of plasma glucose control in terminally ill. We also discuss problem of hyperglycaemia induced by steroids. The use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin, together or separately, is discussed in detail. For patients near the end of life and on insulin, we propose a scheme with once daily plasma glucose monitoring and once daily administration of long acting insulin.
Adv. Pall. Med. 2010; 9, 3: 99–102

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Keywords

diabetes mellitus; insulin; terminal illness; plasma glucose monitoring; steroid induced diabetes; oral hypoglycaemic agents

About this article

Title

Management of diabetes mellitus in terminally ill cancer patients

Journal

Advances in Palliative Medicine

Issue

Vol 9, No 3 (2010)

Pages

99-102

Published online

2010-12-27

Page views

599

Article views/downloads

4821

Bibliographic record

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2010;9(3):99-102.

Keywords

diabetes mellitus
insulin
terminal illness
plasma glucose monitoring
steroid induced diabetes
oral hypoglycaemic agents

Authors

Zbigniew Zylicz