Pathophysiology and pathogenetically based tretment options of diabetic complications

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most widespread diseases in industrialized countries. Its macro- and microvascular complications lead to severe symptoms, mainly affecting the kidneys, the eyes, the peripheral nervous system and the heart. Since optimal blood glucose control is only achieved in a minority of patients, specific treatment options are needed which exert their effects despite hyperglycemia.

This book gives insights into pathophysiology and pathogenesis of diabetic complications. It shows a potential for pathogenetically-based therapeutic interventions which affect damaging pathways of glycolysis in
- diabetic nephropathy
- retinopathy
- neuropathy and
- diabetes-associated cardiovascular events.

This book is based upon the lectures held at an international expert meeting, performed on the occasion of the 44th Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Rome in September 2008.

It addresses specialists in internal medicine and diabetologists as well as general practitioners and all health care workers who deal with the challenging task of caring for patients with diabetes mellitus.