SCREENING, PREVENTION, COUNSELING, AND TREATMENT FOR THE COMPLICATIONS OF TYPE-II DIABETES-MELLITUS - PUTTING EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE

PURPOSE: To summarize current knowledge of interventions that should i mprove the care of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Interventi ons lie within the realms of prevention, screening, and treatment, all of which are focused on office practice. METHODS: Review of the liter ature by a multidisciplinary team involved in the care of patients wit h diabetes, followed by synthesis of the literature into a clinical ca re guideline. Literature was identified through consultation with expe rts and a focused MEDLINE search. MAIN RESULTS: An algorithm-based gui deline for screening and treatment of the complications of diabetes wa s developed. The emphasis is on prevention of atherosclerotic disease, and prevention, screening, and early treatment of microvascular disea se. Implementation of these practices has the potential to significant ly improve quality of Life and increase life expectancy in patients wi th type Ii diabetes mellitus.