Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder in which blood glucose levels become too high, as the body produces little or no insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas that aids in the utilization of glucose for energy), or cannot use insulin properly. The disorder has been growing at an alarming pace not only in the developed countries but also in the developing countries where noncommunicable diseases are rapidly surpassing communicable diseases as the commonest cause of death.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that over the next two decades, DM in the developing countries will be seen more in the lesser age group ranging from 20 to 45 years.1 India, with a population over 1 billion has the largest number of diabetic patients in the world, (estimated over 32 million in the year 2000) and this figure is predicted to increase to nearly 80 million by the year 2030.1,2
Characterized by chronic hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), long-term DM is associated with damage to various organs such as the nerves (neuropathy), eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy) and the heart (cardiovascular diseases). The cornerstone of therapy revolves around disease prevention, motivation toward healthy lifestyle choices and complication surveillance. Education of partner or caretakers is important in maintaining positive lifestyle changes in diabetic patients. Oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) are the primary treatment of type 2 DM. Intensive treatment with insulin has been shown to have significant benefits in both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.3
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