Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(7): 460-464
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947839
Original

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Diabetes Prevention - From Physiology to Implementation

P. E. H. Schwarz 1 , J. Schwarz 1 , S. R. Bornstein 1 , J. Schulze 1
  • 1Technical University of Dresden, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Clinic III, Department of Endocrinopathies and Metabolic Disease, Dresden, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received 8 February 2006

Accepted after revision 27 March 2006

Publication Date:
24 August 2006 (online)

Abstract

One of the major challenges today is the development of prevention programs for the clinical practice. Our aim was to develop a concept for a primary diabetes prevention program to be implemented in general health care. Lifestyle intervention addressing diet and exercise has reduced the diabetes risk by up to 58%. Early preventive pharmacological strategies have yielded a diabetes risk reduction of 25-30%. These findings offer a compelling evidence base, but delivery of intervention and care is essential. The challenge therefore is the management of prevention and intervention programs considering scientific aspects and practical requirements during implementation. The Diabetes Prevention Workgroup at the German Diabetes Association has developed a concept for a decentralized prevention program. Based on the results of the prevention studies, the intervention concept consists of a three-step program including identification of the individuals at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes (1), followed by general intervention based on individual choice (2) and maintained continuous intervention for motivation maintenance (3). Structured prevention programs will enable nationwide prevention of diabetes mellitus without consuming large resources. This process will be challenging and time consuming, requiring many partners but resulting in a profitable “health” investment.

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Correspondence

Dr. med. Peter Schwarz

Technical University Dresden·Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus·MedicalClinic III·Department of Endocrinopathies and Metabolic Disease

Fetscherstrasse 74·01307 Dresden·Germany

Phone: +49/351/458 27 15

Fax: +49/351/458 87 03·

Email: pschwarz@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de