[Social and economic aspects in diabetes mellitus]

The possibility of obtaining health and accident insurance as well as participation in a pension scheme does not pose any problems for diabetics in Switzerland. However, for a life insurance contract, the diabetic must often pay a surplus. The socio-medical evaluation for invalidity insurance for diabetics is based upon an eventual decrease in efficiency associated with functional alteration of certain organs. Diabetics treated only by dietary means can exercise any profession. When treated with oral antidiabetic agents or insulin, certain professions are discouraged, particularly when a metabolic crisis might be hazardous to the diabetic or a third party. Treatment of active diabetics most often aims at obtaining normoglycemia. This should enable patients to follow a physically active, even irregular life in their profession, studies and leisure without excessive risk.