Welcome Note

Pre-diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome are highly prevalent conditions, affecting between one in six and one in three adults in most developed countries, and a similar proportion in the urban areas of many developing countries. Both conditions have a big public health importance because they are associated with a markedly increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), thus contributing to the epidemic proportions of these diseases.

On this background we initiated the 1st International Congress on Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome in Berlin in April 2005, which focused on the public health impact, identification, etiology and pathogenesis, and interventions for preventing the adverse outcomes of these conditions. The new worldwide consensus on the definition of the metabolic syndrome, developed under the auspices of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), was launched as part of the program in Berlin. The big success of the Berlin congress, and the exciting developments in the area of prevention of diabetes and CVD, encouraged us to make this congress a bi-annual event dedicated to these topics.

Diabetes is an important CVD risk factor. Impaired glucose metabolism among cardiac patients is extremely prevalent, and research on the impact of dysglycemia on patients with CHD is expanding. We aim to deepen and intensify the cardio-diabetes alliance even further, and this aim is manifest in the scientific program. We hope that many cardiologists will find the program attractive, and choose to participate in the congress.

Pharmaceutical companies are very active in testing new drugs, affecting possible mechanisms of the metabolic syndrome and its components. The congress provides a platform for presentation of basic and clinical trials research results on novel therapies.

Last but not least: The Barcelona congress will honor two great physicians, who have contributed immensely to research and care of patients with diabetes and CVD; Prof. Pierre Lefèbvre from Belgium – currently President of the IDF, and Prof. Lars Ryden, a cardiologist from Sweden and a pioneer in realizing the causal and prognostic importance of dysglycemia in CVD.

You are cordially invited to participate in the 2nd International Congress on Pre-diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome, April 25-28, 2007. Looking forward to seeing you in Barcelona.

Yours sincerely

Sir George Alberti Co-chair	Avi Karasik Co-chair	Pesach Segal Co-chair	Paul Zimmet Co-chair

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