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Current therapeutic options in Type 2 diabetes
Author(s) -
Robert J. Heine
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1999.00004.x
Subject(s) - medicine , postprandial , insulin resistance , insulin , type 2 diabetes , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology , disease
The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes rises steeply with age and involves β‐cell dysfunction and diminished sensitivity to insulin. β‐cell dysfunction is important in the development of hyperglycaemia while insulin resistance seems to play a major role in the atherogenic process resulting in cardiovascular disease. Current therapeutic options include lifestyle adjustments (exercise and diet), oral hypoglycaemic agents (sulphonylureas, newer β‐cell mediated insulin releasing drugs, alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides and thiazolidinediones) and insulin treatment. Oral hypoglycaemic agents are effective only temporarily in maintaining good glycaemic control, their efficacy should be determined from changes in fasting and postprandial glucose levels. Recent studies have shown that the early initiation of insulin therapy can establish good glycaemic control.