Abstract

The aim of this project was to develop evidence-based guidelines regarding psychosocial aspects of diabetes mellitus in an effort to help the clinician bridge the gap between research and practice. Recommendations address the following topics: patient education, behavioural medicine, and psychiatric disorders of particular relevance to diabetes: depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and dependence on alcohol and nicotine. The present guidelines were developed through an interdisciplinary process of consensus according to the specifications of evidence-based medicine and are recognized by the German Diabetes Association and the German College for Psychosomatic Medicine as their official guidelines.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, guidelines, psychosocial factors, mental disorders, patient education, behavioural medicine