title: Current therapeutic options in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes rises steeply with age and involves beta-cell dysfunction and diminished sensitivity to insulin. beta-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 beta-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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Heine
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin