Understanding diabetes
This page signposts resources which describe what diabetes is, how it is diagnosed and the different types of diabetes. Resources are also included on prediabetes and how type 2 diabetes might be prevented.
See also key national resources for the four UK countries at National standards and guidance.
The following resources were last accessed on 30 October 2012 Some of them are in PDF format - see how to access PDF files. They are arranged under headings.
What is diabetes?
Department of Health NSF: What is diabetes?
This section from the National Service Framework provides an overview of the different types of diabetes, their symptoms and diagnosis.
Diabetes UK: All about diabetes
This part of the Diabetes UK website offers descriptions of the different types of diabetes and discusses causes and risk factors with links to related resources.
Diabetes UK: Diabetes and the body: 'Explaining diabetes' animation
The animation shows how the body works in three contexts - unaffected by diabetes, with type 1 diabetes and with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes UK: Diabetes Risk Score Assessment Tool
This assessment tool aims to identify individuals with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) and is designed to predict an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes within the next 10 years. It was developed in collaboration with University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Diabetes UK would like to see the Diabetes Risk Score more widely used in preference to the finger prick test as it takes into consideration the risk factors for diabetes. Using a points system which identifies if a person is at low, moderate or high risk appropriate advice is provided in the form of lifestyle changes or a GP referral.
Healthline: Type 2 diabetes
This is an American site which aims to offer “objective, trustworthy, and accurate health information, guided by the principles of responsible journalism and publishing”. Information is presented in the form of dated articles which also include references. Different sections are indicated by tabs heading the page and further down the page there is a section headed Essential type 2 diabetes information which includes an article on 'The prediabetes and diabetes relationship'. There is also a Directory of videos available within the website which includes many on diabetes and related topics.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). Diabetes dictionary
The NDIC is an information dissemination service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NDDK) in the USA. The dictionary aims to provide definitions for words commonly used when people talk or write about diabetes.
NHS Choices: Diabetes
The key purpose of NHS Choices is to meet the health information needs of the public and patients in England. This section of the Health A-Z conditions listing (see Di) shows the information available on different types and aspects of diabetes. It includes a self-assessment test to help people check whether they are at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Merck Manuals Online Medical Library
Merck & Co, Inc. is a pharmaceutical company and the Merck Manuals are a series of healthcare books for professionals and consumers. The online version is freely available with additional photographs, audio and video material not available in the printed form.
NHS Evidence: Topics A-Z
This page within NHS Evidence, which is a searchable portal of authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice, features selected clinical and public health topics. The following topics are available:
Diabetes type 1
Diabetes type 2
PRODIGY
PRODIGY, which was formerly Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS), aims to be a reliable source of evidence-based information and practical 'know how' about the common conditions managed in primary and first-contact care. It is aimed at general practice and nurses working in primary care. There are sections on type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
RCN Learning Zone: Diabetes essentials
This learning area is designed to provide an overview of the core concepts of diabetes; diagnosis and current treatments and roles and responsibilities in regard to treating patients with diabetes. It is relevant to all registered nurses, student nurses, midwives and health visitors, health care assistants (HCAs) and assistant practitioners working in any health care setting or nursing specialism.
World Health Organization (2012) Factsheet 312: Diabetes
This factsheet presents key information on what diabetes is, its consequences, and the activities of WHO in preventing and controlling diabetes. Links are also provided to other WHO diabetes related resources.
Preventing diabetes
Prediabetes is now recognised as a condition and its diagnosis enables actions to be taken which can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. The RCN learning area, Diabetes essentials, has a section on pre-diabetes in Diabetes essentials: Core concepts about diabetes.
Diabetes UK: Prediabetes
Prediabetes, which is when glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, is also described by a number of different terms including: borderline diabetes; impaired glucose tolerance (IGT); impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Diabetes UK have published a position statement on prediabetes as well as a care recommendation.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC): Diabetes Prevention Program
The NDIC website at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) in America, describes the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its findings. The DPP was a major multicentre clinical research study and found that "participants who lost a modest amount of weight through dietary changes and increased physical activity sharply reduced their chances of developing diabetes. Taking metformin also reduced risk, although less dramatically".
NHS Evidence: Topics A-Z
This page within NHS Evidence, which is a searchable portal of authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice, features selected clinical and public health topics. There is a section on: Diabetes prevention.
NICE Pathways: Diabetes overview: Preventing type 2 diabetes
The pathway brings together the relevant Nice guidance and related resources and aims to provide fast access to these. This section dedicated to preventing type 2 diabetes, includes information on national strategy, risk assessment and training.
NICE public health guidance (2011) Preventing type 2 diabetes – population and community interventions
This guidance (PH35) makes a series of eleven n recommendations including the integration of national strategy on type 2 diabetes with national activities to prevent other non-communicable diseases.
NICE public health guidance (2012) Preventing type 2 diabetes: risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk
This guidance (PH38) focuses on identifying people at high risk of type 2 diabetes and the provision of effective, cost effective and appropriate interventions for them.
Diagnosing diabetes
The RCN learning area, Diabetes essentials, has a section on the main symptoms of different types of diabetes and tests used to diagnose diabetes at Diabetes essentials: Diagnosis of diabetes.
Department of Health NSF: Identification of people with type 2 diabetes
Standard 2 of the National Service Framework focuses on the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies to identify people who do not know they have diabetes.
DiabeteSuffolk.com: Understanding diabetes: Diagnosing diabetes
Series of question and answers about processes that are used to diagnose diabetes.
Diabetes UK (2012) Position statement: Early identification of people with type 2 diabetes
This position statement calls for a systematic approach to identifying people with type 2 diabetes early which identifies and targets high risk groups.
Map of Medicine: Healthguides
The Healthguides, made available in the NHS Choices website, "show the ideal, evidence-based patient journey for common and important conditions". There is a guide for Diabetes: suspected in adults. Some of the lower levels of the pathway are only accessible to NHS health care staff who have Athens password access - see Map of Medicine.
NHS Choices: Diagnosing type 2 diabetes
Describes how a glucose tolerance test (GTT) is used to determine whether a person has diabetes.
World Health Organization (2006) Definition and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycaemia: report of a WHO/IDF consultation (PDF 1.61MB)
This document which updates the 1999 'Definition, diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus and its complications', resulted from a review of the diagnostic criteria for diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) undertaken because of changes made in recommendations from the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Diabetes UK (2011) Care recommendations: New diagnostic criteria for diabetes
Diabetes UK provide further information on the WHO recommendations, and in particular the WHO recommendation on the Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.