Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Endocrinology and metabolism

Type 2 diabetes: not just a touch of sugar

Pat Phillips
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes is more often than not associated with other cardiovascular risk factors; hence it is better considered a syndrome than simply a biochemical diagnosis.
Key Points
  • About one in four adult Australians have abnormal glucose metabolism: 4% have diagnosed diabetes, 4% have undiagnosed diabetes, and 16% have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose.
  • Nearly all patients with type 2 diabetes have at least one of the following associated features: central overweight, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and/or a prothrombotic tendency.
  • A healthy lifestyle can slow the progression of impaired glucose tolerance to diabetes.
  • In the beginning, type 2 diabetes is often controllable by lifestyle change alone, but as the disorder progresses so should treatment.
  • Interventions can make a difference at all stages of the development and progression of type 2 diabetes.
Get full access
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Buy this article

Single article purchases are temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance.

If you would like to purchase an article during this time, please email us at [email protected] with the article details and we'll assist you directly. We'll also let you know when online purchasing is available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Already a subscriber?