[DGRW-Update: Rehabilitation in Diabetes Mellitus]

Abstract

In the years to come, prevalence and socio-medical relevance of diabetes mellitus will continue to increase. Therapeutic aims must be defined on an individual basis considering risks and benefits. No longer is it reasonable to insist on normoglycaemia as a general therapeutic aim. There are numerous effective and evidence-based therapeutic modules for diabetes mellitus which are also offered within the scope of rehabilitation. Reliable evidence exists to confirm that therapy should start as early as possible, because it is less effective during later phases of the disease when concomitant cardiovascular illnesses may occur. In most cases, medical rehabilitation of diabetic patients is based on other diagnoses. There is a considerable need for rehabilitation among diabetics who are in ambulant care but do not intend to file a request for rehabilitative measures. Sustainability of rehabilitative effects must be improved by means of follow-up treatment and networking with the ambulant structures of long-term care. Provided that the indication makes it appropriate, bariatric surgery constitutes a new effective therapy.