Insulin strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To review the currently available insulin analogs and the benefits of insulin therapy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
A MEDLINE search (1990-March 2004) was conducted using insulin and type 2 diabetes mellitus as search terms to identify clinical trials and review articles. The bibliographies of identified articles were reviewed.


METHODS
All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated and deemed relevant if they included and assessed clinical outcomes.


RESULTS
Since its discovery in 1922, insulin therapy has been the only available pharmacologic treatment for type 1 diabetes and a mainstay therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes who fail to obtain glycemic control with oral antidiabetic agents. This article reviews the current insulin analogs available on the market and insulin regimens that are designed to mimic the pancreatic beta-cells' response to a glucose load.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin therapy is often withheld until late in the disease process for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This results in an enormous burden of disease for patients. Insulin therapy is beneficial in obtaining glycemic control and may attenuate the complications associated with diabetes.
Vivian
Eva M
EM
College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA. evivian@westernu.edu
Olarte
Sophia V
SV
Gutierrez
Ann M
AM
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin