8th WCIRDC  Program Description

Obesity has become a global epidemic which has reached frightening proportions.  As a consequence, diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders are progressively accelerating. We are now witnessing a reversal in the decline of cardiovascular disease that has been observed in the 20th Century. Numerous researchers and scientists, notably Dr. Gerald Reaven – Professor of Medicine, Stanford, CA – have shown that these metabolic abnormalities, specifically diabetes and cardiovascular consequences are mediated by insulin resistance, inflammation and the effect of increased fat deposition.

As our understanding developed from the 1988 introduction of “insulin resistance” and Syndrome X by Dr. Reaven to today’s association with the metabolic or cardiometabolic syndrome the Insulin Resistance congress has become the World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. In recent years, we have become aware of the contribution of other systems to energy metabolism notably incretins, gut hormones and bile acids. There is new understanding of the multi-hormonal etiology of obesity and circadian rhythms in relationship to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, inflammation and the immune system in the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Of particular interest is the complicated interaction of the brain, gut, the fat cell and its metabolites, insulin, leptin and their respective resistance states. The unique design  of the congress and its celebrated faculty allows the integration of traditional cardiovascular risk, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis with new concepts of inflammation, abnormalities of circadian rhythm, sleep disturbances, immunogenicity, adipocyte, neurohormonal, gut, brain, and fat interrelationships.   This approach promotes the introductions of new directions in understanding metabolic diseases and the development of therapeutic modalities in particular focusing on combination therapy for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease by weight reduction and addressing inflammation, thrombotic risk and kidney disease. The World Congress on Insulin Resistance (WCIR) has become an important platform where these multiple metabolic systems are evaluated in a clinical, multi-disciplinary environment.  The congress has become a home to clinical and basic scientists, researchers and practicing clinicians. The highly distinguished expert faculty, the sophisticated attendees and the “bench to bedside” approach have created a state-of-the-art curriculum. The faculty promotes new understanding of metabolic diseases, facilitates the development of future therapeutic modalities and create the bridge between basic science, clinical studies and practical medicine. This unique and exciting program has allowed the participants to personally interact with the world’s eminent leaders in metabolism. Indeed, the program highlights exploration of new frontiers in metabolism -- tomorrow's clinical science today.