Linking research and innovative clinical practice: the story of diabetes mellitus.
Research into diabetes mellitus and the clinical practice of diabetology are a fascinating illustration how the accumulation of knowledge leads to changing scientific theories and paradigms. The pivotal point in the history of diabetes, the discovery of insulin and its introduction to treatment, was one of the most spectacular events in medicine. Later, diabetes care provided, among other developments, models for multidisciplinary approach to treatment and the blueprint for community-based epidemiological studies. The history of diabetology also illustrates the role of chemistry, and later laboratory medicine, in the management of disease. This article is an introduction to the special issue of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, focused on diabetes mellitus and its complications.
Dominiczak
Marek H
MH
Department of Biochemistry, Medical Humanities Unit, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom. mhd1b@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research