• Anat Tsur, Ilana Harman-Bohem, Anreas E Buchs, Itamar Raz, and Julio Wainstein.
• Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinic, Clalit Health Services, Jerusalem. tsuranat@netvision.net.il
• Harefuah. 2006 Aug 1; 145 (8): 583-6, 630.

AbstractThe incidence and prevalence of diabetes have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The reasons for the pandemic are the sharp rise in obesity, decline in physical activity and the increase in life expectancy. There are some 400,000 people with diagnosed diabetes in Israel and they are at a markedly increased risk for cardiovascular disease, blindness, end-stage renal disease and lower limb amputation. To effectively lower this significantly increased burden of disease, a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to chronic disease management is required. To facilitate such an approach, the Israel Diabetes Association published a guideline for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes. The guideline, based on the ADA (American Diabetes Association) and IDF (International Diabetes Federation) guidelines, was approved by other national professional societies including hypertension, family practice, obesity, nephrology, atherosclerosis and internal medicine. The guidelines highlight the metabolic syndrome and prediabetic states, interventions for the prevention of diabetes, the new definitions of diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism and the newly defined targets for glucose, lipid, cholesterol and blood pressure control. In addition, the recommendations for periodic review and screening for complications are summarized. The need for patient education and empowerment are emphasized as is the need for the development and implementation of unique tools including computerized treatment flow-charts, prompts and quality measures, for the long term management of a complex metabolic disease.

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