Acta medica Austriaca最新文献

Today obesity has already reached epidemic proportions in the industrialised nations and is seen as the main problem of this century. Because of the epidemiological situation and the risk of associated and resultant illnesses it is, in future, particularly important to strengthen the awareness of the problem amongst the general population, among experts in the fields of health and politics, as well as to develop public health strategies for health promotion, to reinforce target group oriented prevention measures in appropriate settings, and offer professional therapies in accordance with evidence-based guidelines. Within the framework of nutritional therapy, the general nutritional recommendations, (<30 En% fat, >55 En% carbohydrates, 10-15 En% protein) combined with a daily energy deficit of 300-1000 kcal are accepted for chronic disease prevention. In order to avoid long-term deficits in intake of macro- and micro-nutrients, a varied diet is recommended. The aim, not only of therapy, but also of prevention is a long-term change in dietary practices, which can only be achieved in combination with exercise and implementation of suitable behavioural methods.

Diabetes mellitus comprises of a group of heterogeneous disorders which have an increase in blood glucose concentrations in common. The current classifications for diabetes mellitus type 1-4 are described and the main features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are compared to allow for better discrimination between these diabetes types. Furthermore, the criteria for the correct biochemical diagnosis during fasting and during oral glucose tolerance tests are summarized. These data form the basis of the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the clinical practice in diabetes.

Hypertension is a highly prevalent comorbidity of diabetes mellitus. It contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality in those patients. The present article represents the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients according to current scientific evidence.

Diabetes mellitus causes diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, optical nerve neuropathy, cataract and defects of the eye muscles. The incidence of these defects correlates with duration and quality of the metabolic control. The recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the diagnosis, the therapeutic measures and requirements for adequate follow-up depending on the stages of the different forms of diabetic eye diseases are summarized.

These are the guidelines for preventive care, diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot syndrome. Diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, bone deformity and altered biomechanics are foot-related risk conditions. The position statement is focused on screening methods and recommendations for clinical care for diabetics, who currently have no foot ulcers. A decision pathway is offered with respect to diagnosis and management of diabetic patients at increased risk or who manifest injuries.

Diabetes mellitus is the leading single cause for renal replacement therapy. Its development and progression, however, can be ameliorated by adequate therapy. The present article represents the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

The change of therapeutic concepts in oncology in the last few years is demonstrated in many examples like: influence on cell surface receptors, signal transduction, inactivation of oncogenes, activation of tumor suppressor genes, induction of apoptosis and inhibition of degradation of intracellular peptides. Therapeutic targets have become more specific in the last years using the results of experimental laboratories for clinical application. Unfortunately, however, only very few oncologic ailments can be influenced substantially so far. This may be explained by the hypothesis that the mechanisms of tumor growth can fluctuate--adaptation of tumor cell growth to the Controlling molecular biologic pattern may thus be the concequence. Finally we have to admit that in spite of all our efforts our methodology is still not precise enough (well illustrated by the example of the effectivity of Gefitinib) to reach our therapeutic goal--constant inhibition of tumor growth.

These are the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This diabetic late complication comprises a number of mono- and polyneuropathies, plexopathies, radiculopathies and autonomic neuropathy. The position statement summarizes characteristic clinical symptoms and techniques for diagnostic assessment of diabetic neuropathy. Recommendations for the therapeutic management of diabetic neuropathy, especially for the control of pain in sensorimotoric neuropathy, are provided.