Clinical problems in diabetes care – 9. Harold: too old for treatment?

In this series a number of case histories in (imaginary) diabetic patients are presented. Many of the problems thrown up by the cases are common; some arise in hospital practice, others in the community. Each case history has been sent to colleagues who work in UK Diabetes Care Teams, who have written down their opinion as to what advice might be given or what action could be taken.

Dr John Wales, Honorary Consultant Physician to the Diabetes Centre in the General Infirmary at Leeds, provides a short summarising commentary on the clinical problem and suggests advice and/or solutions. His opinions will hopefully balance the ideal world of diabetic patient care in the UK with the real world.

You are invited to read the case history, establish your own opinion on how you would handle the case, discuss the with your team colleagues, then read pages 297 and 298 to see whether you agree with the Experts' opinions wholly, in part, or not at all.

If you wish to let us know your views on the advice given, write to the journal; readers' comments may published in a later issue.

Now, please meet the diabetic patient Harold... Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.