Contents:
A guideline for the management of diabetes in palliative care
Introduction
There is very little gold standard evidence for managing diabetes in the palliative care population, mainly due to the vulnerability of this group and difficult recruitment to research in this area. The following guidelines are, therefore, based on review of available literature and clinical experience shared by the diabetes and palliative care teams.
Purpose
The aim of these guidelines for management of diabetes in end of life care is to:
- Avoid hypoglycaemia
- Limit symptomatic hyperglycaemia
- Avoid unnecessary blood glucose checks and complex insulin regimes
- Prompt checking of CBG if symptoms of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia glycaemia are present, or if a diabetic patient’s condition changes.
- Consider treatment of diabetic emergencies
- Ensure the patient is on the lowest effective dose of steroid
Management will be different for each patient and will need to be reviewed as their condition changes – for example, as their oral intake and weight changes.
Scope
This is a regional guideline for all adults with palliative care needs, regardless of their care setting. It can be used in hospital, hospice and community. There will be specific situations which will demand slight alterations in the way the guidance is used, and this will be highlighted throughout the document.
Abbreviations
QDS – four times a day
TDS – three times a day
BD – twice daily
OD – once daily
ACEi – ACE inhibitor
ARB – Angiotensin receptor blocker
GP1 analogue – Glucagon like peptide
CBG – capillary blood glucose
DSN – diabetes specialist nurse
DKA – diabetic ketoacidosis
HHS – Hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state
LA – long acting (insulin)
HPA-axis – Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Disclaimer
These Guidelines are intended for use by healthcare professionals and the expectation is that they will use clinical judgement, medical, and nursing knowledge in applying the general principles and recommendations contained within. They are not meant to replace the many available texts on the subject of palliative care.
Some of the management strategies describe the use of drugs outside their licensed indications. They are, however, established and accepted good practice. Please refer to the current BNF for further guidance.
Whilst SPAGG takes every care to compile accurate information , we cannot guarantee its correctness and completeness, and it is subject to change. We do not accept responsibility for any loss, damage or expense resulting from the use of this information.