| Abstract: |
This article, from a special supplement of Diabetes Care magazine that reports the proceedings of the 1st World Congress on Controversies in Diabetes, Obesity, and Hypertension (CODHy) held in Berlin in 2006, considers the advantages and limitations of the treatment of type 2 diabetes with combination therapy. The authors recommend a stepwise approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, tailored according to the natural course of the disease, including adding insulin when hypoglycemic oral agents fail. They stress that treatment with insulin alone should eventually be considered in a relevant number of cases. Insulin can result in protective effects on beta-cell survival and function, resulting in more stable metabolic control. In comparison, treatment with most insulin secretagogues has been associated with increased beta-cell apoptosis, reduced responsiveness to high glucose, and impairment of myocardial function during ischemic conditions. Insulin treatment, particularly with rapid-acting analogs, has been demonstrated to successfully control postprandial hyperglycemia. The authors voice a final concern about combination regimens in the evidence that polypharmacy can reduce patient compliance to the treatment regimen. 56 references. |