Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Aboriginal Australians. Options for oral therapy in the control of glyceamia.
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major and increasing cause of morbidity and early mortality among the Aboriginal population of northern Australia. Due to differing social, dietary and probably metabolic factors, management needs differ from the mainstream Australian diabetic population.


OBJECTIVE
This paper concentrates on the options for oral therapy in the control of glycaemia, taking into account various current guidelines and recent trials of oral antihyperglycaemic therapy, and the specific metabolic and clinical associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus in this population.


CONCLUSIONS
In the abscence of specific contraindications, and in variance with some present guidelines, the evidence suggests that initial therapy with metformin rather than the sulphonylureas is likely to provide greater clinical benefit, and have a greater margin of safety.
Bell
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Malaria and Arbovirus Unit, Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents