No abstract

The psychological impact of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy is compounded by the loss of diabetes self-management skills. The appropriate role and timing for rehabilitative intervention has not been determined. Twenty-nine individuals with diabetes mellitus, 16 with stable visual impairment and 13 with fluctuating and transitional visual impairment, underwent psychological assessment before and after entering into a specially designed rehabilitation program. Low levels of performance were rehabilitation program. Low levels of performance were demonstrated by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Diabetes Self-Reliance Test in both groups. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Rand Mental Health Index suggested that subjects with stable vision impairment were moderately compensated relative to the transitional group, although the former group may have been totally blind. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in psychological profiles after the program. It is suggested that a rehabilitation program may be of clinical benefit early in the course of vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Insulin is one of the oldest and best studied treatments for diabetes mellitus. Despite many improvements in the management of diabetes, the nonphysiological time-action profiles of conventional insulins remain a significant obstacle. However, the advent of recombinant DNA technology made it possible to overcome these limitations in the time-action profiles of conventional insulins. Used as prandial (e.g. insulin lispro or insulin aspart) and basal (e.g. insulin glargine) insulin, the analogues simulate physiological insulin profiles more closely than the older conventional insulins. If rapid-acting insulin analogues are used in the hospital, healthcare providers will need a new mind-set. Any error in coordination between timing of rapid-acting insulin administration and meal ingestion may result in hypoglycaemia. However, guidelines regarding in-hospital use of insulin analogues are few. The safety profile of insulin analogues is still not completely established in long-term clinical studies. Several studies have shown conflicting results with respect to the tumourigenic potential of this new class of agents. The clinical implications of these findings are not clear. Although novel insulin analogues are promising 'designer drugs' in our armamentarium to overcome some of the limitations of conventional insulin therapy, cost may be a limiting factor for some patients.

A program was developed to improve independence, self-esteem, and glycemic control in patients with diabetes and blindness. Twenty-nine individuals with both insulin-dependent and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus entered 12-week programs that included education focusing on diabetes self-management skills for the visually impaired, monitored exercise sessions, and group support. Glycated hemoglobin values fell from 13.0% +/- 0.6% (SEM) to 11.4% +/- 0.5% (P = .001). Exercise tolerance in a 12-minute walk test improved from 0.48 +/- 0.04 to 0.64 +/- 0.05 miles (P = .001). Marked improvements occurred in psychosocial indices, demonstrated through changes in the Rand Mental Health Index from 155 +/- 6 to 174 +/- 5 (P = .0001), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale from 22 +/- 1 to 19 +/- 1 (P = .001), the Zung Depression Scale from 0.50 +/- 0.02 to 0.44 +/- 0.02 (P = .001), and the Diabetes Self-Reliance Test from 60 +/- 3 to 74 +/- 2 (P = .0001).

The intrapersonl distress and the impact of diabetes and vision impairment on marital functioning were assessed. Significant degrees of intrapersonal distress were demonstrated by the Beck Depression Inventory, Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale, and Rand Mental Health Index. Family functioning as assessed by the Family Assessment Device was significantly compromised. Vision impairment was a major stressor in the spousal relationship. Of 18 subjects who had been involved in a committed relationship at the onset of vision impairment, 9 had separated. Separation occurred at a mean of 1.6 years after the vision impairment. Totally blind individuals were at greater risk for separation than those who were legally, but not totally, blind. Psychological intervention was a limited benefit. Studies are necessary to identify the appropriate timing for further interventions.