Latin American consensus on diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension, responsible of a major burden of cardiovascular complications, are increasing their incidence in Latin America in similar proportions to the rest of the! world. The metabolic syndrome, a strong predictor of both diabetes and hypertension deserves more attention from the primary care physicians. Evidence based and updated guidelines on detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes and hypertension, issued by local experts, are willing to inform and translate these recommendations to the clinical practice of physicians assisting these patients throughout Latin America. (C) 2004 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.