[Therapeutic patient education is a lifelong educational activity. As an approach focus­ed on the needs, values and therapeutic strategies of patients, it promotes an increase in patients’ knowledge and skills according to the disease, results in a better quality of life, increased therapeutic compliance and a decrease of complications. Patients become partners and health care providers become coaches. Many type-2 diabetes patients re­fuse insulin therapy, even when this modality of treatment is indicated. This paper aims to explore diabetic patients’ reasons of accepting insulin therapy and the initial barriers to its use, as well as relat­ed education requirements.]

[Diabetic foot syndrome is an array of symptoms with a complex pathomechanism, the complications of which (if treated late) can make it necessary to amputate the limb. Approximately 15% of diabetes patients can expect foot sores to develop in the course of their illness. The author presents the vascular complications of diabetic that underpin the development of diabetic foot syndrome, the tests serving to diagnose them, and the typical clinical manifestations and complications of diabetic foot ulcers. The most important factors in the successful treatment of diabetic foot sores are summarised: normalisation of the general medical condition; alleviation of chronic pressure points; ensuring arterial circulation; infection control; regular and appropriate mechanical debridement; wound treatment in keeping with the given phase of healing; patient education; prevention of relapse. The author places particular emphasis on the screening tests, treatment methods and patient education tasks that can be performed by specialist nurses. ]

[The authors briefly present the role of the physiotherapist in the treatment of osteoporosis. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of locomotion system problems is analyzed. The authors’ specific focus is the complex physiotherapeutic treatment of osteoporotic hip fractures. They propose a prevention program involving locomotion exercises for the prevention of falls. Analyzing the physiotherapists’ activities, the authors describe the most important aspects of patient education and patient information.]

[In patients with chronic kidney failure, especially diabetic haemodialysis patients, the risk of lower-limb complications increases. Through the early recognition of changes in the leg, the definition of risk factors and timely intervention, the prevalence of ulcers and amputations can be reduced. The author aims, through a review of the specialist literature, to provide skills for the recognition of lower-limb complications occurring in chronic kidney patients, and to summarise the most common factors leading to amputation, and the opportunities for prevention. It gives guidance for the definition of risk factors, briefly describes the procedure for assessing the condition of the leg, and the basic principles and options relating to patient education. ]

[INTRODUCTION - Knowing the pharmacokinetic properties of different insulins, useful treatment algorithms can be set up for the majority of our insulin-treated patients. When planning either a human or an analogue basal-bolus regimen, the first task is to determine the daily insulin requirement, followed by determination of the optimal rate of basal and bolus insulins. CASE REPORT - In a 33-year old, moderately obese man with type 1 diabetes who received 180 U daily insulin doses, accumulated hypoglycaemic episodes with neuroglycopenic symptoms occured. After cessation of the original insulin therapy and starting an analogue basal-bolus treatment regimen, both the carbohydrate metabolism and the overall quality of life of the patient have significantly improved. Optimal metabolic control was achieved by a basal insulin ratio above 50%. CONCLUSION - Using elements of the analogue basal-bolus regimen - one of the state-of-the-art forms of insulin treatment - at the appropriate dose and dose ratio, it is possible to comply with the therapeutic requirements of our age. However, if this weapon is used inappropriately, it might actually harm patients.]