Diabetes Mellitus: Advancing Treatment_part4

Jul.04, 2010 in Diabetes Mellitus

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pcp.onlinemindanao.com Type 2 diabetes mellitus today is a global epidemic, a continuing challenge despite the availability of effective therapeutic agents. Current treatment guidelines emphasize early and aggressive treatment targetting the known pathophysiological defects in type 2 diabetes. Yet the reality in clinical practice shows that fewer than 50% of patients under treatment achieve HbA1c levels even in developed countries. More recently, the addition of incretin-based therapy offers significant solutions to the progressive loss of pancreatic beta cell function and other unmet needs in effective diabetes management. In this session, the role of diminished incretin effects in the metabolic derangements in type 2 diabetes will be reviewed. The mechanism of actions and the therapeutic uses of both incretin enhancers and incretin mimetics will be discussed, highlighting efficacy and safety data since they have been available for use in clinical practice. The role of these agents in addressing earliest defects in glucose homeostasis and postprandial hyperglycemia implies potential of preservation of beta cell function. Incretin-based therapy should clearly be considered as a major part of effective diabetes management in current clinical practice.