The management of patients with poorly-controlled non-insulin dependent diabetes
Larkins, R.G.
Medical Journal of Australia 146(5): 234-235
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 3821619 Document Number: 304651
A brief review of the management of subjects with noninsulin-dependent diabetes melelitus (NIDDM) is given. Non-pharmacological measures include weight reduction if necessary, a low-fat, high-unrefined carbohydrate, high-fibre diet, and exercise. However, compliance is often a problem, resulting in the need for oral hypoglycaemic agents as a second-line treatment. Sulphonylureas and the biguanide, metformin, have effects appropriate to the management of NIDDM but doubts have recently been raised about their potential adverse side-effects that relate to cardiovascular mortality. The role of insulin treatment in NIDDM is controversial and the possible advantages and disadvantages are discussed.