Screening for Complications in Diabetes

This text confronts the current debate on the most effective way to provide screening for complications in diabetes, and describes the principles and practice of the screening process: how and when to screen and who should be involved at each stage. Finally, recommendations on the criteria for intervention to prevent and treat the complications of diabetes will be given. All diabetic patients are susceptible to the complications of diabetes. It is now widely accepted that the early diagnosis and treatment of such complications is worthwhile, and general practitioners have been encouraged to develop effective screening programmes for this purpose. Chapters cover the following: retinopathy; nephropathy; neuropathy; macrovascular disease; the diabetic foot; and the annual review. A similar approach to each complication is taken to include the history to elucidate symptoms, and physical examination to access signs followed by appropriate investigations. Criteria for intervention is discussed. The final chapter presents an integrated approach which facilitates a practical and efficient annual screening process.