Checkpoint inhibitor-induced T1D – a newly emerging syndrome

8th June 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

Checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that block checkpoint molecules, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed death-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD – L1). They have revolutionised cancer treatment because of their ability to improve survival in a growing number of cancers. Some of the cancers that have been successfully treated include melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.…

Early weight loss following T2DM diagnosis – does the body remember?

8th June 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are diagnosed and managed in primary in the early years. We know from the UKPDS that early tight glycaemic control have enduring legacy effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We also know from the DiRECT trials that significant weight loss when the diabetes duration is short can lead to diabetes remission (1,2).…

New faster acting insulin – how fast is faster?

6th June 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

I thought short acting insulin was fast acting until fast acting insulin came along. Just when you think fast acting is truly fast acting, along came faster acting. So, what is this faster acting insulin aspart (fiasp)? Is it just another play with semantics? Or is it just another attempt in extending a patent?…

Paediatric intracranial tumours – ordering the right test

A meningioma is a benign tumour that arises from the meninges. Meningiomas are often slow-growing, however in some instances, they may be fast-growing and their effects on adjacent brain tissue, nerves or vessels may cause serious disability. Timely access to a Bulk Billable MRI scan can enable a quick diagnosis and appropriate referral for neurosurgery without the patient requiring a CT scan with the associated ionizing radiation, especially relevant given the patient’s age.…

SGLT2 inhibitors and the diabetic kidney – friend or foe?

26th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

Sometimes when a drug is contraindicated for patients with low eGFR, it may mean that usage of the drug may further damage the kidneys or increase the risk of certain adverse events. For example, the use of metformin in patients with eGFR <30 significantly increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Usage of lithium in patients with impaired renal function (low eGFR) may further damage the kidneys.…

GP: The centre of type 2 diabetes care – are you up to the task?

26th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

GPs in south west Dydney (SWS) are increasingly overwhelmed by the numbers of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) coming through the doors. We know that this cohort have a more “aggressive” disease and much higher and earlier complication rates. T2DM continues to be strongly associated with numerous cardiovascular and renal complications.…

Implementing a successful low calorie diet in general practice – Part 2

23rd May, 2019. Dr Chee L Khoo

How to implement a low calorie diet for weight loss in general practice

In the last issue, we described our retrospective audit of all the patients at my practice who has a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and who was offered a low calorie, low carbohydrate diet program between January and May 2018. In general, all patients with type 2 diabetes were offered a partial meal replacement (two sachets plus a meal) and regular follow up over the subsequent 12 months.…

How to create a weight loss program for patients with T2D

13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with obesity and abnormal fat distribution. Fat loss especially from the liver and pancreas have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and, in some cases, lead to diabetes remission. Bariatric surgery can achieve significant weight loss and a significant proportion of patients achieved diabetes remission with weight loss (reference needed).…

The young T2D – more trouble ahead than you think

13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

You are already seeing the worrying trend of younger and younger patients being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D). My youngest is 25 years old when first diagnosed with T2D. I am sure many of you have patients younger than that. Of course, we need to make sure that these are not patients with type 1 diabetes.…

Ramadan is here – do we need to do anything different with patients with diabetes?

13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims, falling in the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar year. Because the timing of Ramadan is linked to the sighting of the new moon, the timing of this month varies. Ramadan is a period of worship, self-discipline, austerity and charity. The most important significance of Ramadan is that Muslims are required to observe fasting during daylight hours.…

Diabetes inducing drugs – who is next on the list?

13th May 2019, Dr Chee L Khoo

The list of drugs that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing. We know statins (1,2), anti-psychotics (3) and many of the anti-retroviral (4) and immunosuppressant agents (5) have been shown to increase the risk of T2D. We also heard last year about the ACE inhibitors. Recent studies have implicated the 5α-reductase inhibitors, the drugs that we use to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as well.…