Current trends and new approaches in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Current trends in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on the 20-year United Kingdom Prospective Diabetic Study, include intensive treatment to control the blood glucose level and blood pressure in order to prevent or delay microvascular and cardiovascular complications. In the new millennium, type 2 diabetes will become epidemic in developing countries. If diabetes were to develop in 10% of the 1.2 billion population of China, the expense of intensive treatment would be immense. Laboratory tests are useful for detecting risk factors before the onset of the disease and convincing the general public to take preventive measures. Glucose tolerance testing is one of these tests. When glucose tolerance is impaired, 25% of beta-cell function is lost. Determining the plasma proinsulin level is another useful evaluation; impaired glucose tolerance accompanied by increased plasma proinsulin level is indicative of an enhanced risk that type 2 diabetes will develop within 5 years. Educating the public about eating a healthy diet and exercising may prevent the development of diabetes and thereby reduce the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes.