Diabetes Mellitus for NEET PG Medicine: ICMR Diagnosis and Treatment Ladder, DKA Protocol, HHS, Hypoglycaemia, Diabetic Foot

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🎯 Exam priority: Very high. Expect: diagnostic and prediabetes cut-offs, GDM screening, ICMR HbA1c-based drug ladder and targets, drug adverse effects, DKA severity and protocol (fluids before insulin, potassium rule, dextrose at 250), HHS numbers, euglycaemic DKA, hypoglycaemia definitions, retinopathy stages, albuminuria and diabetic foot care.

CBME mapping: GM 11.1–11.24. Antidiabetic pharmacology is in Pharmacology; diabetic retinopathy in Ophthalmology; GDM in OBG; DKA in children in Paediatrics.

Diabetes thresholds, ICMR treatment ladder, DKA and HHS, drugs, foot and complications. Drawn by TrackNation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diabetes (ICMR): FPG ≥ 126 (8-h fast), 2-h OGTT ≥ 200, HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, or random ≥ 200 with symptoms. Prediabetes: FPG 100–125, OGTT 140–199, HbA1c 5.7–6.4%.

• Screen overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥ 23; ≥ 27.5 obese) with risk factors, and anyone with osmotic symptoms, weight loss, ACS, recurrent or deep-seated infections (liver abscess, lower-lobe pneumonia, TB, pyelonephritis) or non-healing ulcers. Pregnancy: first-trimester FPG ≥ 126 = pre-existing diabetes; 92–125 = GDM.

• Type 1 is autoimmune (antibodies), may present as DKA; LADA is adult-onset autoimmune diabetes that progresses slowly.

• ICMR T2DM ladder: HbA1c < 8.5% → metformin; 8.5–10% → metformin + a second agent (SU, TZD, DPP-4i, SGLT2i, AGI, GLP-1 RA); > 10% → basal insulin + metformin + another oral drug. Targets: HbA1c ≤ 7% (relaxed in the elderly), pre-meal 80–130, post-meal < 180, BP 140/90 (130/80 in CKD), LDL < 100 (< 70 with CAD).

• Monitoring: HbA1c every 6–12 months (3-monthly if uncontrolled); yearly ECG, urine ACR, dilated fundoscopy, foot examination.

• Drug adverse effects: metformin — GI upset, B12 malabsorption, rare lactic acidosis (stop before contrast); SGLT2i — genital mycotic infections, euglycaemic DKA; DPP-4i — slight pancreatitis risk; GLP-1 RA — avoid with medullary thyroid cancer history; sulfonylureas and insulin — hypoglycaemia.

DKA, HHS and Hypoglycaemia

• DKA: may be the first presentation of type 1; triggers — missed insulin, infection. Abdominal pain, vomiting, Kussmaul breathing, fruity breath; fever means infection. Pitfalls: insulin before fluids, stopping IV insulin before SC insulin, trusting amylase for pancreatitis, normal K⁺ despite body depletion, cerebral oedema in children.

• HHS (type 2): glucose > 600 mg/dL, osmolality > 320, altered consciousness, fluid deficit can exceed 10 L; enough insulin to prevent ketoacidosis. Euglycaemic DKA: SGLT2 inhibitors, alcohol, cirrhosis. Alcoholic ketoacidosis: ketoacidosis without significant hyperglycaemia.

• Hypoglycaemia on treatment: glucose ≤ 70 mg/dL (sulfonylureas, insulin). Without diabetes treatment, confirm Whipple's triad (symptoms, glucose < 55, relief with glucose); C-peptide and insulin levels help find the cause.

Complications and Diabetic Foot

• Retinopathy: microaneurysms (background) → neovascularisation (proliferative) and macular oedema; no early symptoms — yearly dilated fundoscopy.

• Nephropathy: start ACEi/ARB at the first sign of albuminuria (ACR ≥ 30 mg/g) or with hypertension.

• Neuropathy: symmetric stocking-glove polyneuropathy (commonest); autonomic — gastroparesis, resting tachycardia, erectile dysfunction; third-nerve palsy with ptosis and diplopia.

• Diabetic foot (ICMR): test sensation with a 10 g monofilament; PAD if pulses absent or ABI < 0.9; probe-to-bone or X-ray for osteomyelitis; deformities (claw toes, rocker-bottom Charcot foot). Moist dressings, off-loading, glucose control; do not use hydrogen peroxide, EUSOL, povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine. Uninfected wounds need no antibiotics. Follow-up: low risk yearly, medium 6-monthly, high (previous ulcer/amputation) 3-monthly.

Traps the Examiner Sets

• DKA: fluids before insulin; K⁺ < 3.3 → potassium first.

• Add dextrose at glucose 250 but keep insulin running until the anion gap closes.

• HbA1c > 10% at diagnosis → basal insulin (ICMR).

• SGLT2i can cause DKA with near-normal glucose.

• GDM by first-trimester FPG 92–125 (ICMR).

Memory Hooks & Shortcuts

Shortcuts to lock in this article's numbers and lists. Each one only re-packages facts proven above.

• 🧠 '126-200-6.5': fasting, OGTT/random, HbA1c — diagnosis

• 🧠 ICMR ladder '8.5-10': under 8.5 one drug, up to 10 two, above 10 insulin — treatment ladder

• 🧠 DKA: 'Fluids, then K check, then Insulin' — FKI — DKA order

• 🧠 DKA '250 = sweeten the drip' (add dextrose) — dextrose

• 🧠 HHS '600/320' — HHS

• 🧠 SGLT2i: 'Sugar Gone, Lethal ketones Too' (euglycaemic DKA) — SGLT2i

Rapid-Revision Cards

• Diabetes cut-offs

  FPG ≥ 126; OGTT ≥ 200; HbA1c ≥ 6.5; RBS ≥ 200 + symptoms.

• Prediabetes

  FPG 100–125; OGTT 140–199; HbA1c 5.7–6.4.

• GDM (ICMR)

  1st-trimester FPG 92–125.

• ICMR ladder

  < 8.5 metformin; 8.5–10 dual; > 10 basal insulin + 2.

• Targets

  HbA1c ≤ 7; FPG 80–130; PPG < 180.

• BP and LDL in DM

  140/90 (130/80 CKD); LDL < 100 (< 70 CAD).

• Annual checks

  ECG, ACR, fundus, foot.

• Metformin

  B12 ↓; rare lactic acidosis; stop before contrast.

• SGLT2i

  Mycotic infections; euglycaemic DKA.

• GLP-1 RA

  Avoid with medullary thyroid cancer history.

• DKA severity

  Severe pH < 7.0, HCO3 < 10.

• DKA fluids

  1 L NS in 1 h, then 250–500 mL/h.

• DKA insulin

  0.1 U/kg bolus + 0.1 U/kg/h.

• DKA potassium

  K⁺ < 3.3 → K⁺ first.

• DKA dextrose

  Glucose < 250 → add D5.

• DKA bicarbonate

  pH < 6.9 (or < 7.1 + shock).

• Stopping infusion

  SC insulin 30 min before.

• HHS

  Glucose > 600, osm > 320, no ketoacidosis.

• Euglycaemic DKA

  SGLT2i, alcohol, cirrhosis.

• Hypoglycaemia on Rx

  ≤ 70 mg/dL.

• Whipple's triad

  Symptoms, glucose < 55, relief.

• Retinopathy

  Microaneurysms → new vessels.

• Albuminuria

  ACR ≥ 30 → ACEi/ARB.

• Diabetic foot

  10 g monofilament; ABI < 0.9; moist dressing.

Sources

Facts in this article were checked against these documents.

• Standard Treatment Workflows: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Diabetic Foot — Indian Council of Medical Research, DHR, 2022 (link)

• MSD Manual Professional: Diabetes Mellitus; Drug Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis (and HHS); Complications of Diabetes Mellitus; Hypoglycemia — Merck & Co. (MSD Manuals), reviewed 2025–26 (link)

• Competency Based Undergraduate Curriculum, General Medicine (GM 11) — National Medical Commission, 2024

Test Yourself: Practice Questions

Thirty questions in NEET PG style, most of them clinical vignettes.

Practice Questions (NEET PG pattern)

Original questions written in the style of the exam: +4 for a correct answer, −1 for a wrong one. Every answer was checked against the sources listed above. NEET PG papers are not published by NBEMS, so these are not past-paper questions.

Q1. An adult has fasting plasma glucose 132 mg/dL on two occasions. By ICMR criteria this is

• (a) normal

• (b) impaired glucose tolerance

• (c) diabetes mellitus

• (d) impaired fasting glucose

Q2. HbA1c of 6.1% indicates

• (a) diabetes

• (b) hypoglycaemia

• (c) normal glycaemia

• (d) prediabetes

Q3. A 2-hour OGTT value of 165 mg/dL is

• (a) impaired fasting glucose

• (b) normal

• (c) diabetes

• (d) impaired glucose tolerance

Q4. A pregnant woman's first-trimester fasting plasma glucose is 104 mg/dL. Per ICMR she has

• (a) normal glucose

• (b) prediabetes only

• (c) pre-existing diabetes

• (d) gestational diabetes

Q5. A newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic has HbA1c 7.8%. The ICMR first-line drug is

• (a) triple therapy

• (b) metformin monotherapy

• (c) sulfonylurea plus insulin

• (d) basal insulin

Q6. A newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic has HbA1c 11.2%. Per ICMR, start

• (a) diet only

• (b) basal insulin with metformin and another oral drug

• (c) metformin alone

• (d) a DPP-4 inhibitor alone

Q7. The ICMR glycaemic target for most adults with type 2 diabetes is

• (a) HbA1c ≤ 7%

• (b) HbA1c ≤ 9%

• (c) HbA1c ≤ 5.5%

• (d) HbA1c < 6% for all

Q8. In a diabetic patient with coronary artery disease, the ICMR LDL target is

• (a) < 100 mg/dL

• (b) < 130 mg/dL

• (c) < 160 mg/dL

• (d) < 70 mg/dL

Q9. Annual monitoring in type 2 diabetes per ICMR includes all EXCEPT

• (a) coronary angiography

• (b) dilated fundoscopy

• (c) urine albumin–creatinine ratio

• (d) foot examination

Q10. A long-term metformin user develops a low B12 level. The explanation is

• (a) autoimmune gastritis only

• (b) lactic acidosis

• (c) metformin causes vitamin B12 malabsorption

• (d) SGLT2 effect

Q11. Metformin should be stopped temporarily before

• (a) a chest X-ray

• (b) eye drops

• (c) dental cleaning

• (d) radiological procedures using iodinated contrast

Q12. A woman started on dapagliflozin develops vulvovaginal candidiasis. This adverse effect is typical of

• (a) sulfonylureas

• (b) SGLT2 inhibitors

• (c) DPP-4 inhibitors

• (d) metformin

Q13. A GLP-1 receptor agonist is contraindicated in a patient with

• (a) a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer

• (b) fatty liver

• (c) hypertension

• (d) obesity

Q14. A young person presents with vomiting, abdominal pain, deep sighing breathing and fruity breath; glucose 420 mg/dL, pH 6.95, HCO3 8. The severity of DKA per ICMR is

• (a) not DKA

• (b) severe (HCO3 < 10)

• (c) mild

• (d) moderate

Q15. In DKA, the first therapeutic step is

• (a) 1 L of 0.9% saline over the first hour

• (b) oral fluids only

• (c) sodium bicarbonate

• (d) insulin bolus before fluids

Q16. The ICMR insulin regimen in DKA is

• (a) 1 U/kg/h

• (b) glargine 20 units SC

• (c) insulin only after glucose < 250

• (d) regular insulin 0.1 U/kg IV bolus then 0.1 U/kg/h

Q17. A DKA patient has serum potassium 3.0 mEq/L. Per ICMR,

• (a) give potassium before starting insulin

• (b) give bicarbonate

• (c) stop fluids

• (d) start insulin and ignore potassium

Q18. During DKA treatment blood glucose falls to 230 mg/dL but the anion gap is still high. The next step is

• (a) stop insulin

• (b) switch to SC insulin and discharge

• (c) add 5% dextrose and continue insulin

• (d) give bicarbonate

Q19. Per the ICMR DKA workflow, sodium bicarbonate is indicated when

• (a) pH < 6.9, or pH < 7.1 with hypotension, or hyperkalaemia

• (b) HCO3 < 18 in all

• (c) never

• (d) pH < 7.3

Q20. Before stopping the IV insulin infusion in resolved DKA, the patient should receive

• (a) a bicarbonate bolus

• (b) subcutaneous long/intermediate and short-acting insulin at least 30 minutes earlier

• (c) oral metformin only

• (d) nothing

Q21. In DKA, a normal serum potassium means

• (a) hyperkalaemia will follow

• (b) no potassium needed ever

• (c) total body potassium may still be depleted

• (d) the patient is not in DKA

Q22. A type 2 diabetic is drowsy with glucose 900 mg/dL, serum osmolality 360 and no significant ketoacidosis. The diagnosis is

• (a) DKA

• (b) alcoholic ketoacidosis

• (c) hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state

• (d) hypoglycaemia

Q23. A patient on empagliflozin has nausea, vomiting and anion gap acidosis with ketones but glucose of only 190 mg/dL. The likely diagnosis is

• (a) lactic acidosis from metformin

• (b) HHS

• (c) gastroenteritis only

• (d) euglycaemic DKA due to SGLT2 inhibitor

Q24. A malnourished heavy drinker has vomiting and high anion gap ketoacidosis with near-normal glucose. The diagnosis is

• (a) methanol poisoning

• (b) DKA

• (c) HHS

• (d) alcoholic ketoacidosis

Q25. In a patient on insulin or sulfonylurea, hypoglycaemia is defined as blood glucose

• (a) ≤ 100 mg/dL

• (b) ≤ 40 mg/dL only

• (c) ≤ 90 mg/dL

• (d) ≤ 70 mg/dL

Q26. The earliest lesion of diabetic retinopathy is

• (a) retinal capillary microaneurysms

• (b) neovascularisation

• (c) vitreous haemorrhage

• (d) retinal detachment

Q27. A normotensive diabetic has urine ACR 60 mg/g on repeat testing. The next drug step is

• (a) an ACE inhibitor or ARB

• (b) a calcium-channel blocker only

• (c) no treatment

• (d) a beta-blocker

Q28. The commonest form of diabetic neuropathy is

• (a) autonomic gastroparesis

• (b) third-nerve palsy

• (c) diabetic amyotrophy

• (d) distal symmetric (stocking-glove) polyneuropathy

Q29. Loss of protective sensation in a diabetic foot is screened with

• (a) pinprick on the face

• (b) a tuning fork of 512 Hz only

• (c) ABI

• (d) a 10 g monofilament

Q30. For a clean diabetic foot ulcer without osteomyelitis, the ICMR workflow advises

• (a) hyperbaric oxygen first

• (b) moist dressings, off-loading and glucose control — not hydrogen peroxide, EUSOL or povidone-iodine

• (c) daily hydrogen peroxide

• (d) routine antibiotics for all

Active Recall

From memory: give diabetes, prediabetes and GDM thresholds, the ICMR T2DM ladder and targets, key drug adverse effects, the ICMR DKA protocol with potassium, dextrose and bicarbonate rules, HHS and euglycaemic DKA features, hypoglycaemia definitions, and complications with diabetic foot care.