Book Overview
The 9thEdition of “A Practical Guide to Diabetes Mellitus” offers a unique combination of rigorous pathophysiology with very practical approaches to diabetes prevention and control. This outstanding textbook will equip a cadre of doctors and other health care professionals to deliver high quality care to vulnerable populations around India and far beyond. Based on research as well as clinical practice, the text describes diabetes in relation to physiology, ocular, cardiovascular, neuropathy, pregnancy, emergencies, childhood diabetes, etc. Each chapter beings with a brief outline of the disease concerned followed by introduction, definition/terminology, classification, treatment, conclusion and ending with set of question for self-assessment. Covers step wise images describes insulin administration in subcutaneous and using pen devices in the chapter: Insulin therapy: practical aspects. Feet, Footcare and Neuroarthropathy chapter deals with etiology and pathophysiology and is divided into three parts: Ulceration, Neuroarthropathy and Peripheral Artery Occlusive(PAD) diseases. Infection in diabetes chapter focuses on infection related to head and neck, genitourinary, skin and soft tissue, pulmonology and abdominal. Recent advances includes application of new drugs like Taspoglutide, Albiglutide, Lixisenatide, Newer DPP-IV inhibitors, along with new insulin receptor activators, PPAR agonists, new hepatic targets for glycemic control in diabetes. This book contains more than 300+ coloured images and illustrations, 40+ clinical cases, 50 questions for quick revision along with answers to the self- assessment question given at the end of book.
This 9th edition has several new facets apart from the revised chapters abreast with the latest evidence about newer anti-diabetic drugs, recently available gadgets and information about the latest clinical trials on the subject, author have also included a few new chapters including Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diabetes. In this edition author have incorporated more Practical examples, clinical pictures and diagrammatic illustrations for better grasp and understanding of the reader. This new edition provides clinicians and trainees with the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus.
Beginning with an overview of physiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and classification, the next chapters discuss related issues such as nutrition, exercise and counselling.
The following sections cover different aspects of the disease including emergency situations, therapeutic agents, and associated disorders including retinopathy, stroke, liver disease, and Neuropathy.
The final chapters examine diabetes in specific demographic groups such as in pregnancy, obesity, in the elderly and in childhood and adolescence.
The 9th edition has been fully revised and includes new topics including new anti-diabetic drugs, recent clinical trials, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The book is highly illustrated with clinical photographs, tables and boxes, and each chapter concludes with MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) with answers, for self-assessment.
Foreword : Prof. Peter Egbert Hermann Schwarz
India is indeed the international capital for diabetes. Nearly 50% of patients with diabetes from across the world happen to reside in India, Bangladesh, and China. However, the most rapid growth of patients with diabetes may be generally observed in India. The global community has always been staggered by the fact that the age of onset of diabetes in India appears to occur earlier and the progression is faster. Many of these aspects are difficult to explain through standard scientific and medical rationale.
Other than the scientific aspect, the healthcare infrastructure in India and a number of countries in the region are confronted with the growing burden of patients with diabetes and these people require adequate accessibility and availability for diabetes care.
This is the cornerstone whereby the book “A Practical Guide to Diabetes Mellitus, 9th Edition”, induces a substantial impact. The current edition was compiled under the visionary leadership of Professor Nihal Thomas at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India, in cohesion and collaboration with a number of illustrious colleagues across the world. Previous editions have reached diabetes care teams in more than 40 countries worldwide and have made a substantial and practical impact on diabetes care. Indeed, this was exactly what was needed. Writing from a scientific perspective is required to drive the subject forward in terms of academic research and education; however, articulating pragmatic points in care bears more relevance since it may directly impact the lives of patients with diabetes. There are enormous gaps in diabetes care across the globe, in terms of either deficiencies in availability or the lack of accessibility. Moreover, the problems may be also structural in nature, and may not address the needs of people with diabetes.
From this perspective, the book from the Department of Endocrinology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, has altered the management landscape of diabetes the world over and is set to impact it even further. Not only does it induce a higher quality of diabetes care, by improving its available and accessible, but it addresses the needs of people with diabetes and focuses on the specific nature of the evolution of diabetes in Asia.
I would once again would like to congratulate the team for compiling this book, and additionally commend all the readers for the efforts they have taken to assimilate the scientific aspects in relation to diabetes, and more importantly the state-of-the-art practices which are so vital, when handling this difficult disease. Working with colleagues from the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and their team is a wonderful experience and an honor for me. This activity, this enthusiasm, this passion, and the vision are much needed to improve the quality of diabetes care across the world.
With best wishes and deepest gratitude!
Peter Egbert Hermann Schwarz MD MBA PhD MD MS FRCP (C)
President-Elect of the International Diabetes Federation
Dresden, Germany
