New Research Reveals Need For Doctors To Know About Medical Tattoos

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Endocrinology;  Conferences
Article Date: 22 Apr 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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More people are turning to a new trend to let others know about their medical condition - tattooing. A case report will be presented Friday, May 15, at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 18th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress shedding light on this new phenomenon, while urging discussion from the medical community.

One of the most obvious benefits of medical tattooing is for identification purposes in an emergency situation, especially for patients with diabetes, when a patient may be incapacitated - particularly in the case of hypoglycemic coma. However, it also poses some health concerns - ones that the study's primary author, Saleh Aldasouqi, MD, FACE, feels the medical community may need to weigh in on.

"Like it or not, tattooing for purposes of medical alerts is a phenomenon that is now occurring," Dr. Aldasouqi said. "It's imperative that the medical community take note and that, perhaps, appropriate regulation of the practice be proposed, especially for patients with diabetes."

Once that happens, Dr. Aldasouqi hopes that patients and their doctors can sit down, analyze the risks and benefits, and make an informed decision together.

Also at the 2009 AACE 18th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress, diabetes experts will analyze the NICE-SUGAR study's impact on inpatient glycemic control. Other topics of interest include a look at the wide ranging impact of vitamin D in the human body, and clinical recommendations for the treatment of prediabetes - America's largest healthcare epidemic.

About AACE

AACE is a professional medical organization with more than 6,200 members in the United States and 92 other countries. Founded in 1991, AACE is dedicated to the optimal care of patients with endocrine problems. AACE initiatives inform the public about endocrine disorders. AACE also conducts continuing education programs for clinical endocrinologists, physicians whose advanced, specialized training enables them to be experts in the care of endocrine diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, growth hormone deficiency, osteoporosis, cholesterol disorders, hypertension and obesity.

About the AACE Annual Meeting

The 18th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress will be held in Houston, Texas, on May 13-17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hilton Americas Houston. The AACE Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress is structured to provide relevant clinical information for the practicing endocrinologist. The programs will focus on information that allows endocrinologists to achieve the best solutions for the diagnosis and management of endocrine diseases. Pertinent scientific, clinical practice and patient management will be disseminated via general sessions, workshops, meet-the-experts and satellite symposia.

Source: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists

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