Type 1 diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis: common etiological features
Adam E. Handel,
Lahiru Handunnetthi,
George C. Ebers
&
Sreeram V. Ramagopalan
Published online: 03 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.216
Multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus are seemingly very different autoimmune diseases. However, this Review discusses recent studies in genetics, epidemiology and immunology that have uncovered many features common to both disorders. Overlaps between T1DM and MS might lead to similar strategies in preventing and treating these debilitating conditions.
Should we screen for emotional distress in type 2 diabetes mellitus?
François Pouwer
Published online: 03 November 2009 | doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.214
Depression, anxiety and diabetes-specific distress are common and serious comorbid health problems in type 2 diabetes mellitus that often remain unrecognized and thus untreated. Widely used guidelines have therefore recommended assessments of emotional well-being in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present Review discusses whether there is evidence to support this recommendation.
Residual microvascular risk in diabetes: unmet needs and future directions
Paola Fioretto,
Paul M. Dodson,
Dan Ziegler
&
Robert S. Rosenson
Published online: 27 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.213
The global burden of microvascular disease associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus continues to escalate. Furthermore, conventional standards of care do not completely abolish the risk of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy in affected individuals. In this Review, the authors highlight the issue of residual microvascular risk and discuss intensive treatment with statins and/or fibrates to target atherogenic dyslipidemia, a potential trigger of the microvascular complications that can develop in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Testosterone deficiency, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome
Michael Zitzmann
Published online: 27 October 2009 | doi:10.1038/nrendo.2009.212
The metabolic syndrome is a complex disorder that consists of an accumulation of visceral fat tissue, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and hypertension, and can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the mechanisms that underlie the metabolic syndrome, focusing on the role of testosterone. The potential of testosterone substitution therapy to treat patients with the metabolic syndrome is also discussed.
