糖尿病已经成为一个世界性的健康问题，全球估计患病率接近10%，这种疾病在发病率和死亡率方面的负担是空前的。通过对疾病机制的了解和各种治疗方法所取得的进展，与不发达国家甚至发达国家的私人和公共卫生系统无法实现治疗目标形成鲜明对比。这种矛盾在很多资料中都有描述：科学进步的突飞猛进与人类前所未有的痛苦形成鲜明对比。因此，需要一种以病人为中心、以证据为基础、能够产生可衡量的临床和经济成果的方法。

本书的目的是多方面的：提供涵盖门诊管理所有方面的综合资源；从流行病学、经济和临床角度将糖尿病作为一个健康问题来处理；讨论健康的社会决定因素对全球糖尿病增长的作用；强调在提供适当护理方面的挑战和障碍；概述多学科管理方法，其中医疗访问作为由患者、其家人和多学科卫生专业人员组成的团队的一部分保留其重要性，能够超越糖尿病作为一种疾病的传统方法，大大改善结果。

Diabetes has become a worldwide health problem, the global estimated prevalence approaches ten percent and the burden of this disease in terms of morbidity and mortality is unprecedented. The advances acquired through the knowledge of the mechanisms of the disease and the variety of therapeutic approaches contrast with the inability of private and public health systems in underdeveloped and even developed countries to achieve the goals of treatment. This paradox has been described in many sources: the surge of scientific advances contrast with an unprecedented amount of human suffering. Thus, a patient centered and an evidence based approach with the capacity to produce measurable clinical and economic outcomes is required.

The purpose of this textbook is multiple: to offer a comprehensive resource covering all aspects of outpatient management; to address diabetes as a health problem from an epidemiological, economic and clinical perspective; to discuss the role of social determinants of health on the worldwide increase in diabetes; to highlight the challenges and obstacles in providing adequate care; and to outline a multidisciplinary approach to management in which medical visits retain their importance as part of a team comprising the patient, his or her family and a multidisciplinary group of health professionals who are able to move beyond the traditional approach of diabetes as a disease and greatly improve outcomes.