Author:
Lamberts SW,Romijn JA,Wiersinga WM
Abstract
In recent years the future position of clinical endocrinology has been extensively discussed by Western European endocrine societies. Clinical endocrinology seems to suffer from being too intellectual, generating too little income, and lacking too few spectacular interventions. In this manuscript we describe 'the endocrine patient' of the past, the present, and the future. Complete therapeutic breakthroughs resulting in 'cure' are compared with 'halfway technologies' which help in creating the (life-long) chronic endocrine patient. The potential use of molecular diagnostics in optimalizing hormone replacement therapy is discussed. Clinical endocrinology is at risk of developing into a subspecialty where life-style drugs created for new diseases or conditions are offered, but also actively pursued by otherwise healthy individuals (e.g. in normal short stature, regulation of appetite, body composition, sexuality, reproduction and aging). The potential opportunities and risks for clinical endocrinology in creating 'the endocrine patient' of the future are discussed.
Subject
Endocrinology,General Medicine,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Cited by
9 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献