How self management therapy can improve quality of life for diabetic patients

Self-control led therapy is vital in the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), allowing as it does, correct insulin therapy, a reduction in hospitalisation and modification of therapy for individual needs in relation to various factors. Undoubtedly it is the responsibility of the diabetes team (doctors, nurses, dietician, psychologist and social assistant) to instruct the patient and help him/her in this new situation. The patient must learn to live and develop normally, participating to the full in school, at work and in all social situations, by fully understanding how to manage the illness autonomously and how to prevent short and long-term complications. Thus, the team must set objectives: making the patient aware of his condition, giving him the knowledge of what to do and how to do it. In this way, quality of life can be improved for patients affected by this chronic illness and they can understand how to face the future with realistic optimism. Modern technology has brought many novelties into the diabetes field, such as the ever smaller and more accurate glucose meters, or finger-prick devices requiring minimal quantities of blood. They represent another step towards a less invasive or disruptive approach in the management of diabetes. Non-specialist press articles may raise false hopes, above all about new research in the field of diabetes, but at least they also raise awareness on a problem of national interest, i.e. insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.