This work is an outline of the key biochemical defects of diabetes and includes a discussion of recent changes in classification and diagnosis. Aspects of the management of diabetes and its acute and chronic complications are then addressed.

A pocketbook of diabetes for junior doctors, GPs, diabetic nurses and practice nurses.

• Biochemistry and classification
• the syndrome of diabetes mellitus
• classification of diabetes mellitus
• insulin resistance
• Diagnosis, initial management and education
• clinical presentation of diabetes
• establishing the diagnosis
• history and initial physical examination
• initial physical examination
• initial management
• influence of comorbidity
• psychological impact of diabetes
• aims of treatment
• relationship between glycaemic control and complications
• assessment of glycaemic control
• principles of education in diabetes
• organization of diabetes care
• economics of diabetes care
• Management of diabetes
• nutrition therapy
• tobacco
• physical exercise
• oral antidiabetic agents
• insulin therapy
• pancreatic and islet cell transplantation