[Metabolic syndrome in menopause: physiopathological, clinic and therapeutic aspects for cardiovascular prevention].

The authors consider the main endocrinological modifications that happen during the menopausal period, and underline the related metabolic alterations leading the woman to metabolic syndrome and consequently to increase the cardiovascular risk. The components of this syndrome regard the most recent criteria and the respective therapeutic choises are also considered. Moreover, it is encouraged the creation of specifical multi-disciplinar diagnostic and therapeutic iter to prevent the cardiovascular risk in menopause and to improve the life quality in this part of population.

[Current methods of glucose metabolism control in diabetes mellitus].

The evaluation of glicometabolic control has been always considered important in the follow-up of the diabetic patient. Several methods are today available in order to register the short and long term glycaemic values. Recent studies have attributed to the post-prandial hyperglycaemias a specific role in determining the chronic complications.

[Diabetes mellitus and stroke].

Ischemic stroke represents the third mortality cause after cardiac diseases and tumors and the relationship between diabetes and stroke incidence is still unclear. Several studies (Framingham, Copenhagen Stroke Study, Northern Sweden MONICA, NHANES) showed a higher prevalence, recurrence rate and worse prognosis of stroke in diabetic subjects. As for cerebral ischemia pathogenesis small vessel disease of deep perforating arterioles plays a crucial role although the higher cerebrovascular risk is also related to the additional risk factors and the characteristic atherogenic diabetic profile.