NEW-ONSET DIABETES AFTER TRANSPLANTATION: 2003 INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS GUIDELINES1

INTRODUCTION Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of over 176 million in 2000. Furthermore, the prevalence of the disease is expected to increase in the coming years as industrialized societies become older, more obese, and more sedentary, and it is predicted to rise to 370 million by 2030 (1). Acute metabolic complications of diabetes are associated with high mortality rates; in particular, hyperosmolar hyperglycemia (approximately 15%) and ketoacidosis (up to 5%). The prognosis in these conditions is substantially worse in older patients and those with coma or hypotension (2). Following a review of epidemiologic…