糖尿病并发症的临床进展(六)

糖尿病肾病是糖尿病重要的微血管病变之一，也是糖尿病的主要死亡原因，糖尿病病人中20%～40%会发生糖尿病肾病，水平在30～299mg/24h的持续蛋白尿（微量蛋白尿）是糖尿病肾病的最早期阶段，也是CVD（心血管病）的显著标志之一，合并微量蛋白尿的病人常常会发展为临床蛋白尿（≥300mg/24h），并在数年内陆不出现肾小球滤过率（GFR）持续下降，一旦出现临床蛋白尿，发生终末期肾病（ESRD）的风险就很高。     

Confidentiality, ethics, and the law

This brief report discusses the British Medical Association's reservations concerning two bills pending in the House of Commons. Clauses in the Data Protection Bill pertaining to accessing and transferring computerized information could affect physicians' ability to protect the confidentiality of patients' records. A code of guidance proposed by the government would apply only within the National Health Service and not to outside data users. The Police and Criminal Evidence Bill is the second piece of legislation being monitored by the BMA. Its provision for intimate body searches of prisoners without consent has prompted the Home Office to request guidance from the BMA and the General Medical Council.     

The physician, the media, and the 'spectacular' case

Drawing on his experiences as a pioneer in performing artificial heart transplants for illustration, DeVries considers the dilemmas that the physician-researcher working on a "spectacular" medical case confronts in dealing with the news media. He discusses five major concerns: the patient's privacy; the effects of the media on the treatment of the patient; the integrity of the experiment; hospital disruptions; and the negative reactions of peers who perceive physician-researchers as self-aggrandizing. DeVries concludes that physician cooperation with the press is necessary and desirable, but that it should be based on the following principles: (1) concern for the patient and family is paramount, taking precedence over the public's right to know; (2) any information released must be accurate; and (3) advance preparation regarding the logistics of reporting the news quickly and accurately is essential.     

Diabetes, driving, and the general practitioner

The medical fitness of drivers who have diabetes is assessed primarily by general practitioners. A survey was made of the knowledge of driving and diabetes of 105 general practitioners in Glasgow. Ninety four (90%) knew that people who were insulin dependent were required by law to declare their condition to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre in Swansea, but most were unaware that people with diabetes should not hold a "till 70" driving licence. Seventy one doctors (69%) claimed that patients were recalled individually for fitness to drive. The minimum visual acuity for driving was stated correctly by 37 (35%). Only eight respondents knew that a hypoglycaemic diabetic driver can be charged with driving under the influence of a drug (Road Traffic Act 1972), and the practical advice that was given to patients about hypoglycaemia and driving was unsatisfactory. As a group the general practitioners showed deficiencies in knowledge regarding diabetes and driving, suggesting a need for further postgraduate education.