Diabetes management in family practice

Abstract

Chronic diseases pose a particular chal-lenge to the busy general practitioner. As such diabetes is often a complex disease with multiple complications. The therapeutic choices are often challenging and the practitioner must not only aim to control blood glucose but blood pressure and blood lipids as well. There is clear evidence that diabetes will increase and become a major public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Fortunately many studies have provided evidence as to how improve outcomes is these patients. The following five topics in diabetes management are featured, namely; the emerging epidemic, optimal glucose control, insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension.

South African Family Practice Vol. 48 (10) 2006: pp. 18