Dunning T, Martin P (2018) Palliative and end of life care of people with diabetes: Issues, challenges and strategies. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 143: 454–63
- People with diabetes have a lower life expectancy than the general population because the condition is associated with various complications and comorbidies, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer and frailty.
- Quality of life, symptoms, level of comfort and often function can all be improved with the early implementation of palliative care.
- The authors advocate early initiation of palliative care and proactive planning for the end of life as part of a patient’s personalised diabetes care plan.
- To aid the identification of patients with a high risk of 1-year mortality, the authors recommend that healthcare professionals use the Gold Standard Framework and diabetes-related indicators of reduced life expectancy.
- An evidence-based framework should be used to underpin early discussions with patients and their families about the many complex issues surrounding end-of-life care so their preferences and values can be incorporated in advance care plans.
Amid accumulating evidence of benefits with new diabetes drugs, Vinod Patel asks whether the costs can be justified.
9 Nov 2023