Refractory diabetes refers to a specific situation where a patient's blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled despite treatment.
Specifically, a patient is considered to have refractory diabetes when they experience:
- Failure to achieve near normal or normal levels of blood sugar.
- Persistent glycosuria, which is the presence of glucose in the urine.
In essence, standard diabetes management strategies are not effective in bringing the blood glucose within the target range. This can lead to various complications if left unaddressed.
Here's a breakdown to further clarify:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Blood Sugar Levels | Elevated despite treatment efforts, not reaching normal or near normal levels. |
| Glycosuria | Glucose persistently present in the urine, indicating excess glucose being excreted. |
| Response to Treatment | Poor or no response to standard diabetes therapies, including lifestyle changes and medication. |
Therefore, refractory diabetes highlights the challenging nature of managing some cases of diabetes where conventional approaches prove inadequate.
