Diabetes mellitus can cause impairment that can be measured based on criteria developed by the AMA.
NOTE: Diabetics often have end-organ damage to heart, peripheral arteries, kidneys, and eyes. Impairment for these injuries is determined under the affected organ(s) and the impairments combined.
Parameters:
(1) type of diabetes
(2) therapy
(3) complications
Diabetic microangiopathy is indicated by one or both of the following:
(1) retinopathy
(2) albuminuria > 30 mg/dL
Type |
Therapy |
Complications |
Impairment of the Whole Person |
Type 2 |
controlled by diet alone |
with or without evidence of diabetic microangiopathy |
0 – 5% |
Type 2 |
requires diet and hypoglycemic medication |
evidence of diabetic microangiopathy |
6 – 10% |
Type 1 |
|
with or without evidence of diabetic microangiopathy |
11 – 20% |
Type 1 |
|
frequent hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia despite conscious efforts at control |
21 – 40% |
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Endocrinology