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Diabetes mellitus: an update for healthcare professionals

British Medical Association
Board of Science and Education
February 2004
 
Diabetes mellitus is a serious complex chronic condition that is a major source of ill health. It predisposes to the development of potentially life-threatening conditions. Current estimates are that diabetes affects 1.3 million of the UK population, is a major component of the work of general practitioners and consumes approximately 10 per cent of hospital resources. Meticulous management of diabetes can reduce the risk and rapidity of development of a range of serious long-term complications, notably heart disease, stroke, blindness, renal failure and peripheral vascular disease.

This report focuses on recent changes in our understanding of the epidemiology, aetiology and clinical management of diabetes, placing emphasis on controversial issues and recent advances.

This report is available from:
BMA science and education department
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9JP
email: info.science@bma.org.uk

Editorial Board
A publication from the BMA science and education department and the Board of Science and Education

Chairman, Board of Science and Education	Professor Sir David Carter
Director of professional activities	Dr Vivienne Nathanson
Head of science and education	Dr Caroline Seddon
Project manager	Nicky Jayesinghe
Editor	Angela Sharpe
Contributing authors	Dr John Casey
	Dr Fiona Green
Editorial secretariat	Dalia Ben-Galim
	Fleur Conn
	Hilary Forrester
	Louise Lakey
	Elaine Martyn

Board of Science and Education
This resource was prepared under the auspices of the Board of Science and Education of the British Medical Association, whose membership for 2003/2004 was as follows:

Professor Sir Brian Jarman	President, BMA
Dr George Rae	Chairman, BMA representative body
Mr James Johnson	Chairman, BMA council
Dr David Pickersgill	Treasurer, BMA
Professor Sir David Carter	Chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr P Maguire	Deputy chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr G D Lewis
Professor S Lingam
Dr J Long
Dr S Minkoff
Dr S J Nelson
Dr S J Richards
Dr D M B Ward
Dr C Smith
Dr S J L Smith
Professor B R Hopkinson	Co-optee
Dr G Buckley	Co-optee
Dr N D L Olsen	Deputy member

Acknowledgements
The Association is very grateful for the help provided by the BMA committees and many outside experts and organisations. We would particularly like to thank Professor John Tooke (Consultant Diabetologist, Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth), Professor Andrew Morris and Professor Ray Newton (Consultant Diabetologists, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee).