This third edition covers most aspects of renal involvement in diabetes mellitus, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and clinical aspects. The purpose is to provide an update on issues in diabetic renal disease, with a focus on pressure- and metabolic-related changes, and to provide updated management guidelines. These worthy objectives are met. This book is aimed primarily at diabetologists and nephrologists, and it will be of interest to those involved with epidemiological, pathophysiological, and pharmacologic studies as well as clinicians. The editor is a highly cited author in the field and is a credible authority, as are the contributing authors. The book has black-and-white tables, figures, and graphs of appropriate quality and relevance. The references are pertinent and current through 1996. A selection of key references is a useful feature. This book is of high quality and represents a useful update in an important field. The complexities involved are highlighted, and this will perhaps provide an additional stimulus for further studies. The chapter on clinical preventive guidelines is particularly helpful. The third edition is likely to be a useful addition to libraries, medical bookstores, and the shelves of diabetologists and nephrologists.
Since the first edition, this book has retained its position as a highly useful, comprehensive resource for information on diabetic kidney disease. The book is a collection of chapters written by over 50 contributors dealing with the pathogenesis, demographics, genetics, natural history, prevention, and therapy of diabetic kidney disease. The prior edition was published in 1998. The editor, a major contributor to our current understanding of diabetic renal disease, conceived this book to provide complete coverage of all aspects of renal involvement in diabetes. Considering the tremendous impact of diabetes on the healthcare system and particularly on the field of nephrology, this is a worthy objective. The list of contributors includes experts from nearly a dozen countries, predominantly European. This book is a valuable addition to the libraries of specialists in the fields of nephrology, hypertension, and diabetes. It is a good reference for internists, pediatricians, and other practitioners who wish to gain more insight as to the pathogenesis of diabetic renal disease, the rationale behind current treatment strategies, and future trends. With the explosion of research in the field of diabetic renal disease, updates and fresh discussions of potential new directions are necessary. Generally the chapters in this book are well written and extensively referenced. The topic of microalbuminuria is thoroughly covered: methods of measurements, value for screening, implications in terms of staging and progression of renal disease, inter-relationship with retinopathy, hypertension, and increased mortality from cardiovascular causes are discussed in detail. Antihypertensive therapy isreviewed in several chapters with good summaries of the voluminous data of multiple large trials. Pathogenesis, renal pathology, renal replacement therapies, and issues in drug development and regulation are conveyed clearly. Ample tables, graphs, and charts bolster the text. This book has some shortcomings. As commonly seen in multiauthored texts, contributors dealing with similar topics overlap in text content and even in graphic presentation. This is particularly true for contributors dealing with microalbuminuria. The grouping of chapters seems haphazard. Overall flow will be better served by positioning chapters on similar topics together.
Active researchers synthesize the current understanding of the renal involvement in diabetes, focusing on good glycemic control and the best possible anti-hypertensive treatment program to be implemented early in the process of diabetic nephropathy. Among the topics are how pressure induced and metabolic alterations in the glomerulus relates to cytokine activations and progressive sclerosis, the clinical course of renal disease in Caucasian NIDDM patients, the value of screening for microalbuminuria in people with diabetes as well as in the general population, the role of glomerular hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic glomerulopathy, the concept of incipient diabetic nephropathy and the effect of early anti-hypertensive interventions, the role of dietary protein intake in non-glycaemic intervention in diabetic nephropathy, and the latest intervention trials in hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The fifth edition has dropped 14 studies that were in the 1998 fourth. The production of the volume is sloppy, resulting in the awkward order of elements and at least one page being duplicated. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Reviewer: Orly F. Kohn, MD (University of Chicago Hospitals)
Description: Since the first edition, this book has retained its position as a highly useful, comprehensive resource for information on diabetic kidney disease. The book is a collection of chapters written by over 50 contributors dealing with the pathogenesis, demographics, genetics, natural history, prevention, and therapy of diabetic kidney disease. The prior edition was published in 1998.
Purpose: The editor, a major contributor to our current understanding of diabetic renal disease, conceived this book to provide complete coverage of all aspects of renal involvement in diabetes. Considering the tremendous impact of diabetes on the healthcare system and particularly on the field of nephrology, this is a worthy objective.
Audience: The list of contributors includes experts from nearly a dozen countries, predominantly European. This book is a valuable addition to the libraries of specialists in the fields of nephrology, hypertension, and diabetes. It is a good reference for internists, pediatricians, and other practitioners who wish to gain more insight as to the pathogenesis of diabetic renal disease, the rationale behind current treatment strategies, and future trends.
Features: With the explosion of research in the field of diabetic renal disease, updates and fresh discussions of potential new directions are necessary. Generally the chapters in this book are well written and extensively referenced. The topic of microalbuminuria is thoroughly covered: methods of measurements, value for screening, implications in terms of staging and progression of renal disease, inter-relationship with retinopathy, hypertension, and increased mortality from cardiovascular causes are discussed in detail. Antihypertensive therapy is reviewed in several chapters with good summaries of the voluminous data of multiple large trials. Pathogenesis, renal pathology, renal replacement therapies, and issues in drug development and regulation are conveyed clearly. Ample tables, graphs, and charts bolster the text.
Assessment: This book has some shortcomings. As commonly seen in multiauthored texts, contributors dealing with similar topics overlap in text content and even in graphic presentation. This is particularly true for contributors dealing with microalbuminuria. The grouping of chapters seems haphazard. Overall flow will be better served by positioning chapters on similar topics together.
‘This is a timely publication that will be welcomed by all clinicians ... covers all aspects of diabetic nephropathy, from epidemiology to pathophysiology and management. ... clear and concise ... This should be essential reading for all nephrologists and will find a place in the libraries of all renal units managing patients with end-stage renal failure.' Nephrology/Dialysis, 5/6