[Management of diabetes in general practice--current requirements. 1: Diagnosis, pathophysiology and overall therapeutic concept].

Plasma glucose determinations continue to be at the heart of the proper diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus, the post-prandial values in particular being of decisive importance for the diagnosis. Laboratory diagnostic investigations going beyond this (e.g. the oral glucose tolerance test) are reserved for special indications. In contrast, the determination of microalbuminuria is of increasing importance for deciding on the next therapeutic steps. Prerequisites for successful treatment are patient instruction, treatment of the metabolic disorder including diet and physical exercise, and self-monitoring by the patient. Of fundamental importance for treatment is the diet, with calorie reduction in type 2 diabetics, most of whom are obese.