[Diabetes mellitus and obesity: risk optimization before surgical interventions]

The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in recent years and is a causal risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, chronic degenerative joint diseases are also triggered by obesity.

Both obesity-related secondary diseases-type 2 diabetes and chronic degenerative joint disease-can be prevented or at least delayed by lifestyle intervention aimed at weight reduction. The progression of these diseases can also be favourably influenced by radical weight loss. Diets with a reduction in carbohydrates-a so-called "low-carb" or ketogenic diet-appear to be superior to a low-fat diet.

If joint replacement surgery is necessary, preoperative and perioperative interdisciplinary care by a team of experienced therapists from the fields of orthopaedics and obesity/type 2 diabetes is required. The Düsseldorf TeDia model in the network of Catholic hospitals in Düsseldorf takes these requirements into account by providing interdisciplinary care for such patients at the orthopaedic centre at St. Vinzenz Hospital Düsseldorf and the West German Diabetes and Health Centre (WDGZ). Patients with pronounced obesity or diabetes mellitus are presented preoperatively at the WDGZ on an outpatient basis, and weight reduction therapy or optimization of the diabetic metabolic situation is initiated. If joint problems persist despite weight reduction or pronounced degenerative changes that require surgery, the WDGZ provides inpatient diabetology care in the orthopaedic clinic with the option of further outpatient follow-up care.