Diabetology at UPMC

UPMC offers diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services to patients diagnosed with diabetes. We employ a multidisciplinary team of specialists committed to the study of personalized and effective clinical solutions, which take into account the daily needs of individual patients. Our specialists assist people of all ages, to help them adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, from diagnosis to post-operative care.

Book an Appointment

UPMC offers diabetes services at the following facilities:

• IRCCS ISMETT – UPMC.
• UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital.

What is Diabetology

Diabetology is a medical service that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus, a chronic disease that can affect the quality of life of those who suffer from it and have serious complications. It is characterized by an alteration in blood glucose levels caused by inadequate amounts of insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar.

Pathologies Treated

At our Centers you can receive 360-degree treatment and assistance, thanks to our multidisciplinary approach to the following types of pathologies:

• Prediabetes: This is a condition in which blood glucose levels are no longer normal but are not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. Fasting blood glucose values are between 100 mg/dl and 125 mg/dl. In patients with these values, there is a higher risk of actual diabetes and heart disease in the future.
• Type 1 diabetes: This occurs in early childhood or adolescence when the pancreas does not produce insulin, which must therefore be administered subcutaneously.
• Type 2 diabetes: Accounting for about 90% of cases, this is the most common form of diabetes, and usually appears after the age of 30 or 40. In this case, the pancreas produces insulin, but the body's cells cannot use it.
• Gestational diabetes: This is a form of diabetes in which a pregnant woman has a high blood glucose level without ever having had diabetes. The condition usually resolves after delivery in most patients.

Some patients may have developed metabolic syndrome and suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity at the same time. Cardiovascular risk is then high, as each of these conditions is already a factor in itself that increases the possibility of having heart disease or a stroke.

UPMC Diabetes Services

At UPMC, we have numerous services available to people with diabetes. You can contact our ISMETT Diabetes Unit and UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and to find out about our treatment protocols.

ISMETT is also specialized in the evaluation of the clinical conditions of people who may need a pancreas transplant, alone or in combination with a kidney one. Our team performs pancreatic transplant surgery even in cases of high cardiovascular risk, in collaboration with the ISMETT Cardiology Unit.

Who are Diabetes Services for?

UPMC's diabetes services are provided for all patients suffering from different types of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.