title: [Present condition of diabetes and its treatment--from the perspective of a hospital pharmacist].
abstract: In Japan, the number of diabetic patients has increased steadily. According to a 2007 report by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of diabetic patients and its reserves is estimated to be 22 million, or a fifth of adults. On a global scale, the number of deaths due to diabetes is almost equivalent to that due to AIDS. Therefore, in 2006, WHO designated November 14 as World Diabetes Day and began a worldwide campaign to increase people's awareness of diabetes. Diabetic patients usually fluctuate between good and bad data of SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose). However, the main goal of diabetes treatment is to not only keep good data of SMBG but also prevent diabetes-related complications from arising, because such complications have a major impact on patients' QOL and medical costs. At medical institutions, CDEJs (Certified Diabetes Educator of Japan, a qualification awarded to health care professionals such as nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and physiotherapists) provide information to diabetic patients in order to increase their knowledge of the disease; such professionals also assist with patients' medical treatments. I would like to discuss frequently used diabetes medications, the latest treatments for diabetes, the problems faced by diabetic patients, and so on, from the perspective of a hospital pharmacist.
authors.affiliation: Kurashiki Medical Center, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. n_harada@fkmc.or.jp
authors.forename: Nanaho
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harada
mesh_terms: D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents