ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidemia, and osteoporosis are common diseases, respon-
sible, directly and indirectly, for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Each con-
dition presents a variety of very specific management problems, but they are unified by a
common theme-they are frequently asymptomatic and often manifest through their com-
plications. This chapter focuses on the current level of understanding and the role of phar-
macogenetics in the management of these three metabolic diseases. The influence of genes
on the pharmacokinetics of the currently available drugs is discussed, and the interaction
between genes and the environment in pathophysiology, including the response to drug
therapy, is also considered.
