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Pat Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to Pat Phillips.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Association between impaired glucose metabolism and quality of life: results from the Australian diabetes obesity and lifestyle study.

AIMS: We examined the association of quality of life with glucose tolerance status in an Australian population to determine the stage in the development of diabetes that quality of life is impaired. METHODS: The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study (AusDiab) was a population-based study of 11,247 people from randomly selected areas of Australia. As part of the study, participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and completed the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: Previously diagnosed diabetes was associated with a significantly greater risk of being in the lowest quartile of each dimension of the SF-36 scale (except for mental health) and this association was only partially attenuated by adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and treatment for hypertension and lipid abnormalities (adjusted odds ratios [95% CI]: bodily pain, 1.51 [1.18-1.94]; general health, 2.20 [1.64-2.95]; physical functioning, 1.50 [1.10-2.05]; role limitation (emotional), 1.43 [1.07-1.91]; role limitation (physical), 1.57 [1.13-2.18]; social functioning, 1.93 [1.46-2.54] and vitality, 2.24 [1.56-3.22]. Among those with newly diagnosed diabetes (NDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), there was also evidence of reduced quality of life on some dimensions of the SF-36 scale (NDM, general health, physical functioning and role limitation (physical); IGT, physical functioning and social functioning) after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION: These findings show that diabetes is associated with a reduced quality of life and that this is evident in the early stage of the disease, particularly in relation to the ability to perform physical activities.

Australia↗
PubMed2006

Diabetes and the skin - onychomycosis.

Case history - Oliver: Oliver is aged 70 years, has had type 2 diabetes for 18 years, and has been treated with insulin for 4 years. He presents after two episodes of cellulitis of his right lower leg and forefoot, which have cleared on antibiotics. There are no residual skin changes on his leg and forefoot other than some postinflammatory pigmentation.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Dietary dilemmas in diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Two of the 'f' words summarising predisposition to type 2 diabetes are fixed (family history, age forty years), but the third (fat) can be changed. The diagnosis of diabetes can be the trigger to review lifestyle, 'eat less and walk more' and to lose fat tissue. Initially this is often enough to bring blood glucose into the target range, but later as the metabolic abnormality of type 2 diabetes progresses, oral hypoglycaemic agents will be needed. Nonetheless, lifestyle issues remain important in managing the medical components of the type 2 syndrome (blood glucose, blood pressure, blood fats and blood clotting). OBJECTIVE: This article uses a case based approach to discuss how a dietician can help patients review and modify their lifestyle. DISCUSSION: A coordinated approach by the general practitioner, dietician and diabetes educator will often help to discover the cause of abnormal blood glucose levels, and assist the patient in normalising them.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗
PubMed2002

One pair must last a lifetime. Foot care and diabetes.

This is the first in a series of six articles on foot care, covering diabetes, vascular disease, neuropathy, painless ulcers and structural abnormalities. The management strategies will help patients 'make one pair last a lifetime'.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Is it dementia? Which one?

BACKGROUND: People fear losing their identity or no longer being themselves. It can be devastating to see someone who spent their life with you turn into someone who looks like your loved one but who no longer recognises you and may be frightened, suspicious, hostile or violent. OBJECTIVE: This article gives practical guidelines with a recognition, definition and differential diagnosis of dementia. DISCUSSION: Dementia may not be obvious to the individual, the family or their family doctor and should not be simply attributed to 'Alzheimer's'. Dementias can be confused with delirium or depression and the different dementias have different prognoses and different interventions.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2002

Oral hypoglycaemics. When not to use what.

BACKGROUND: In the 1940s and '50s the first oral hypoglycaemic agents (the sulphonylureas and metformin) became available. These remained the only agents for the next 50 years. Over the last five years three new classes have been released. General practitioners now have a wider range of effective hypoglycaemic agents from which to choose. OBJECTIVES: This article focuses on those patients where particular agents should not be used: i.e. 'when not to use what'. DISCUSSION: In general however, it must be remembered that problems with oral hypoglycaemics are rare. The great majority of patients have no problems with their prescribed hypoglycaemic medication.

Acarbose↗
PubMed2002

One pair must last a lifetime. Case studies of foot care in diabetes.

Neuropathy is the second most important of the four major 'traffic light' warnings for future foot problems (vascular, neuropathy, structural, self care). Peripheral neuropathy is a significant clinical problem in 20% of patients with diabetes. Painful neuropathy can disrupt patients lives but simple effective interventions are available. Painless neuropathy is often not perceived to be a problem by the patient or their doctor but puts the foot at risk from trauma (physical, chemical and thermal). Patients with neuropathy need systematic reassessment of self and professional diabetes care, and education about footwear and foot care. A podiatrist can be invaluable in prescribing appropriate footwear and orthotics to distribute foot pressure and in educating patients about self care. Patients with the 'double whammy' of neuropathy and vascular disease are at extreme risk of limb threatening problems and should have a regular monitoring program by themselves (or their carers) and their professionals as well as an 'action plan' to detect and deal with problems early.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗