[Questions of habilitation-rehabilitation in diabetes mellitus]

As a result of the up to date treatment the life quality of diabetic patients is improved, their life span is prolonged. The authors recite the guidelines of vocational guidance and disability evaluation of diabetics. It is generally accepted that patients treated by diet alone may choose any profession, their lifestyle need not differ from that of healthy people. Well educated diabetic patients on oral antidiabetics or insulin, who have near normoglycemic blood sugar levels, can follow the lifestyle of a healthy individual; yet they should avoid occupations where their own or others lives might be put in danger. The authors recite effective departmental orders about the questions that influence the lives of diabetic patients-for example drivers licence, sports facilities for diabetics- and are the most frequently encountered by experts. Problems of rehabilitation that arise during the management of diabetics are also discussed.