Medical Management of Diabetes and Heart Disease.

Sobel BE, Schneider DJ, eds. New York, NY 10016-0602, Marcel Dekker Inc, 2002, hardcover, 301 pp, illus, ISBN:0-8247-0745-1, $125.

This book deals almost exclusively with the relationship between cardiac disease and diabetes mellitus; however, it also contains very useful information on diabetes mellitus or cardiac disease alone, which should be of interest to physical therapists who are managing patients with either of these diseases. The text contains chapters by 25 contributing authors, many of whom are recognized experts in the field. Individual chapters are devoted to topics such as the types of diabetes; causal connections between the types of diabetes and vascular disease; the association among various factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance to diabetes and heart disease; and the management and treatment of patients with diabetes and accompanying vascular disease.

This text is intended to serve as a resource for medical practitioners and is included in the publisher's "Medical Management" series. Its purpose, in that respect, is to provide current, comprehensive information regarding the association between diabetes mellitus and heart disease. To that end the book has fulfilled its purpose, providing very useful, science-based rationales for the etiology and medical treatment of the vas-cular complications of diabetes mellitus.

Physical therapists who work primarily with patients who have cardiac disease or diabetes mellitus will find this book enlightening, but they may glean limited useful information for physical therapy interventions. Many recommendations are within the scope of medical practice (ie, drug regimens), but they have limited utility for physical therapist practice. Chapter 15, which is written by a registered nurse, discusses nonpharmacologic intervention in decreasing cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes and probably contains the most practical information for the physical therapist.

In general, the book is well written and discusses the intended topics, but some authors present material in a more readable style than others do. The figures and tables are generally helpful for enhancing the reader's understanding. The data and evidence presented on the association between diabetes mellitus and heart disease are current and accurate. In addition, there are some very important citations to further reading.

Elaine Filusch Betts, PT, PhD Central Michigan University Mt Pleasant, Mich

Dr Betts is Professor of Physical Therapy and is an exercise physiologist. She has clinical experience in and has presented and published on the topics of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at national and international forums.