World Diabetes Day is celebrated
on 14 November each year. The theme of this year’s day is the same as the
previous two years: “Diabetes Education and Prevention”. Type 1 and type 2
diabetes are chronic conditions that affect 2.8
million people in the UK. Without proper treatment diabetes can result in
various complications, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure
and retinal damage.

A recent article published in
Cardiovascular
Diabetology, investigated the various role of numerous genetic and
environmental risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes and
cardiovascular diseases using twin studies. The study demonstrated that the
genetic risk factors that were most prevalent included weight, waist
circumference and blood pressure. Environmental risk factors that had most
effect were serum homocysteine, serum cholesterol and fasting blood glucose
levels.

The latest review article published
by Diabetology
and Metabolic Syndrome discusses obesity related inflammatory responses
and their link to type 2 diabetes. It is hoped a better understanding of the
pathophysiology of insulin resistance will lead to improved treatment and
preventative measures.  The article
reviews the key physiological pathways involved in obesity related inflammation,
focusing on the involvement of macrophages and how these factors collude to
interfere with insulin signalling pathways, leading to insulin resistance and
ultimately type 2 diabetes.

Daniel Giannella-Neto, Editor-in-Chief  of Diabetology
and Metabolic Syndrome, states:  “D&MS is working to raise the
awareness of diabetes, by highlighting and getting involved with world diabetes
day. The theme for this November the 14th is ’diabetes education and
prevention’, D&MS and  members of the Editorial Board, are involved
with the regular publication of articles on this topic.”