Endocrinology

New research from Diabetes UK has found that only a small percentage of the UK public are aware of how life-changing this condition can be. Everyone needs to be aware that diabetes is a serious condition with serious consequences, which is becoming more common.

People with a severe mental illness die 15–20 years earlier than they would have done, had they not had a severe mental illness. The principle cause of this increased mortality is from long-term conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and cancer. 

In chronic kidney disease, diabetic patients need diligent consideration of glycaemic targets; the risks versus benefits of glucose lowering treatment need to be assessed carefully.

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for heart disease and stroke even when glucose levels are under control. In this one-to-one interview, Professor Stephen Bain, Professor of Medicine (Diabetes) at ABM University Health Board, discusses new advances in cardiovascular and diabetes management.

This article is based on a presentation given by Dr Chris Smith, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, RAH and Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, at the GM Conference Ageing and Healthcare Today, held in Edinburgh.