Diet and weight gain of elderly diabetic patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess glycaemic control among Estonian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and to find patient and disease related factors associated with adequate glycaemic control. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 randomly selected DM2 patients from a primary care setting. Data on each patient's glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index, blood pressure, and medications for treatment of DM2 were provided by family doctors. A structured patient questionnaire was administered as a telephone interview (n = 166). The patients’ self-management behaviour, awareness of the HbA1c test and its recent value were inquired. Results: The mean HbA1c of the DM2 patients was 7.5%. The targets of DM2 treatment were achieved as follows: 39% of the patients had HbA1c below 6.5% and half the patients had HbA1c below 7%. More than third of the patients had systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg and in 51% of the patients diastolic blood pressure was below 85 mmHg. Six per cent of the patients were in normal weight (<25 kg/m²). Fifty-two per cent of the patients were aware of the HbA1c test and 36% of them knew its recent value. In multivariate regression analysis, awareness of the HbA1c test but not the HbA1c value, longer duration of diabetes and not having a self-monitoring device were independently associated with adequate glycaemic control (HbA1c< 6.5%).

Conclusion: The studied DM2 patients often did not reach the clinical targets suggested in the guidelines. Awareness of the HbA1c test was related to better glycaemic control. However, advanced stage of the disease had a negative effect on HbA1c.     

Patient Characteristics do not Predict Poor Glycaemic Control in type 2 Diabetes Patients Treated in Primary Care

Many diabetic patients in general practice do not achieve good glycaemic control. The aim of this study was to assess which characteristics of type 2 diabetes patients treated in primary care predict poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > or = 7%). Data were collected from the medical records. 1641 patients were included who had mean HbA1c 7.1(SD 1.7)% , and 42% had HbA1c > or = 7%. On univariate analysis younger age; longer duration of diabetes; higher levels of blood glucose at diagnosis; most recent fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, and triglyceride; higher body mass index (BMI); treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA); treatment with insulin; more GP-visits for diabetes in the last year; and lower educational level were associated with poor control. Both in multiple linear regression and in multiple logistic regression higher levels of FBG (odds ratio (OR): = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49, 1.70), treatment with OHA (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.04), treatment with insulin (OR: 7.2, 95% CI: 4.18, 12.52), lower educational level (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.56) were independently associated with poor levels of HbA1c. When FBG levels were excluded from the model, higher blood glucose at diagnosis, higher values for triglyceride and total cholesterol, and younger age predicted poor glycaemic control, but these variables explained only 15% of the variation in HbA1c. In conclusion prediction of poor glycaemic control from patient characteristics in diabetic patients in general practice is hardly possible. FBG appeared to be a strong predictor of HbA1c, which underlines the usefulness of this simple test in daily diabetes care. The worse metabolic control in those treated with either OHA or insulin suggests that current treatment regimes might be not sufficiently applied to reach the targets of care. Providers of diabetes care should be attentive to patients with lower educational level.     

Initiating insulin therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2: in a transmural setting is at least as effective as in an outpatient setting; a retrospective study with a 4-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE: Assessing whether the initiation of insulin therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 can be delivered as effectively in a structured transmural care model as in the more usual outpatients structure. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort study. METHOD: In 1997 data were collected from 52 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 all of whom were above 40 years of age and transferred to insulin therapy in 1993: 25 in a transmural care setting and 27 in an outpatients setting, both in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Both groups were treated according to one protocol concerning the initiation and monitoring of insulin therapy, treatment goals and follow-up. Outcome measures were: percentage of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), health status, self-care behaviour and patient satisfaction. In 1993 the mean age was (transmural/outpatients setting): 67.5/65.3 years; percentage of men: 32%/48%; mean duration of diabetes: 7.3/10.6 years; HbA1c: 9.1%/9.3%; mean body mass index: 27.4/29.1 kg/m2. RESULTS: In the period 1993-1997 the mean HbA1c decreased from 9.1% to 7.2% in the transmural care group and from 9.3% to 7.6% in the outpatients care group (both: p = 0.000). The percentage of patients with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 8%) decreased from 60 to 8 in the transmural care group and from 59 to 15 in the outpatients care group. The percentage of patients with good glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7%) increased from 4 to 52 in the transmural care group and from 11 to 30 in the outpatients care group. No statistically significant differences were found between the patient groups with respect to health status, self-care behaviour and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The transfer of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 insulin therapy in a shared care setting was at least as effective as in an outpatients setting.     

2型糖尿病患者糖化血红蛋白控制与自我管理相关因素的关系研究

目的了解2型糖尿病患者血糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)控制水平与自我管理相关因素的关系。方法采用横断面调查的方法,从4个城市15家医院内分泌科门诊连续募集现患病例。由经过统一培训的调查员采用问卷调查的方式收集患者的一般人口学信息、自我管理信息,同时采集患者5μl指尖血送各城市指定医院进行HbA1c检测。运用logistic回归模型探讨自我管理相关因素与患者HbA1c控制水平的关系。结果共收集有效问卷1524份。多因素分析结果显示控制饮食(OR=0.49,95%CI:0.34～0.72),遵从医嘱(OR=0.63,95% CI:0.40～0.98),监测血糖(≤4次/月:OR=0.66,95% CI:0.50～0.87;>4次/月:OR=0.51。95% CI:0.36～0.73),知晓糖尿病相关知识(OR=0.60,95% CI:0.46～0.80)和检测HbA1c(≥3次/年:OR=0.33,95% CI:0.23～0.48;0～3次/年:OR=0.57,95% CI:0.43～0.74)是HbA1c控制的促进因素。结论自我管理有助于2型糖尿病患者的HbA1c控制,建议加强患者的自我管理以促进HbA1c控制。     

2型糖尿病患者口服降糖药控制不佳时配伍相关药物的疗效与安全性

目的比较2型糖尿病患者口服降糖药控制不佳时加用甘精胰岛素或中效胰岛素（NPH）使HbAlc达到7％的疗效与安全性。方法在64例服用1种或2种口服降糖药但血糖控制不佳的2型糖尿病患者（HbAlc〉8％）中随机加用一次甘精胰岛素或NPH,治疗12周后,使空腹血糖（FBG）达到≤5．6mmol／L,观察指标为FBG、糖化血红蛋白（HbAlc）、低血糖发生率和达到HbAlc≤7％,并且没有发生有记录的夜间低血糖的患者百分数。结果试验结束时甘精胰岛素组和NPH组的空腹血糖和HbAlc无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。在HbAlc≤7％,且没有发生有记录的低血糖方面,甘精胰岛素组明显优于NPH组（P〈0．05）。甘精胰岛素组的夜间低血糖发生率显著低于NPH组（P〈0．05）。结论2型糖尿病口服降糖药控制不佳的患者加用甘精胰岛素,可使血糖达标并且低血糖发生率显著低于NPH。     

Reproductive health services for populations at high risk of HIV: Performance of a night clinic in Tete province,Mozambique

Background

In recent decades immigration to Norway from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe has increased rapidly. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of care for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from these ethnic minority groups compared with the care received by Norwegians.

Methods

In 2006, electronic medical record data were screened at 11 practices (49 GPs; 58857 patients). 1653 T2DM patients cared for in general practice were identified. Ethnicity was defined as self-reported country of birth. Chi-squared tests, one-way ANOVAs, multiple regression, linear mixed effect models and generalized linear mixed models were used.

Results

Diabetes was diagnosed at a younger age in patients from the ethnic minority groups (South Asians (SA): mean age 44.9 years, Middle East/North Africa (MENA): 47.2 years, East Asians (EA): 52.0 years, others: 49.0 years) compared with Norwegians (59.7 years, p < 0.001). HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and s-cholesterol were measured in >85% of patients in all groups with minor differences between minority groups and Norwegians. A greater proportion of the minority groups were prescribed hypoglycaemic medications compared with Norwegians (≥79% vs. 72%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, diabetes duration, practice and physician unit, HbA1c (geometric mean) for Norwegians was 6.9% compared to 7.3-7.5% in the minority groups (p < 0.05). The proportion with poor glycaemic control (HbA1c > 9%) was higher in minority groups (SA: 19.6%, MENA: 18.9% vs. Norwegians: 5.6%, p < 0.001. No significant ethnic differences were found in the proportions reaching the combined target: HbA1c ≤ 7.5%, SBP ≤ 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≤ 85 mmHg and total s-cholesterol ≤5.0 mmol/L (Norwegians: 25.5%, SA: 24.9%, MENA: 26.9%, EA: 26.1%, others:17.5%).

Conclusions

Mean age at the time of diagnosis of T2DM was 8-15 years younger in minority groups compared with Norwegians. Recording of important processes of care measures is high in all groups. Only one in four of most patient groups achieved all four treatment targets and prescribing habits may be sub-optimal. Patients from minority groups have worse glycaemic control than Norwegians which implies that it might be necessary to improve the guidelines to meet the needs of specific ethnic groups.     

Factors Associated with Consumption of Diabetic Diet among Type 2 Diabetic Subjects from Ahmedabad,Western India

This cross-sectional study assessed the current situation of and factors associated with consumption of diabetic diet among 399 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects from Ahmedabad, Western India. The study was performed with diagnosed (at least one year old) diabetic subjects who attended the Department of Diabetology, All India Institute of Diabetes and Research and Yash Diabetes Specialties Centre (Swasthya Hospital), Ahmedabad during July 2010–November 2010. The subjects completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included variables, such as sociodemographic factors, family history of diabetes, behavioural profile, risk profile (glycaemic status, hypertension, and obesity), and diet-related history (consumption of diabetic diet, consumption of low fat/skimmed milk, method of cooking, and sources for diet advice). Blood pressure, body mass index, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and fasting lipid profile were measured. All analyses including multivariate logistic regression were conducted using SPSS, version 11.5. In total, 399 T2DM subjects (65% male, 35% female) with mean age of 53.16±7.95 years were studied. Although 73% of T2DM subjects were consuming diabetic diet, the good glycaemic control (HbA1c level <7%) was achieved only in 35% of the subjects. The majority (75%) of the subjects had a positive family history of diabetes, and 52% were obese. In 77%, the main source of dietary advice was doctor. In 36%, the main methods of cooking were: boiling and roasting. The final multivariate model showed that visit to dietician, level of education, intake of low fat, and family history of diabetes were independent predictors for diabetic diet consumption among T2DM subjects. However, longitudinal and cohort studies are required to establish the association between consumption of diabetic diet and glycaemic control.Key words: Cross-sectional study, Diet, Glycaemic control, Glycosylated haemoglobin, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, India     

Use of chromium picolinate and biotin in the management of type 2 diabetes: an economic analysis.

This paper addresses the potential economic benefits of chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use in people with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The economic model was developed to estimate the impact on health care systems' costs by improved HbA1C levels with chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome). Lifetimes cost savings were estimated by adjusting a benchmark from the literature, using a price index to adjust for inflation. The cost of diabetes is highly dependent on the HbA1C level with higher initial levels and higher annual increments increasing the cost. Improvement in glycemic control has proven to be cost-effective in delaying the onset and progression of T2DM, reducing the risk for diabetes-associated complications and lowering utilization and cost of care. Chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) showed greater improvement of glycemic control in poorly controlled T2DM patients (HbA(1C) > or = 10%) compared to their better controlled counterparts (HbA(1C) < 10%). This improvement was additive to that achieved by oral hypoglycemic medications and correlates to calculated levels of cost savings. Average 3-year cost savings for chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use could range from 1,636 dollars for a poorly controlled patient with diabetes without heart diseases or hypertension, to 5,435 dollars for a poorly controlled patient with diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. Average 3-year cost savings was estimated to be between 3.9 billion dollars and 52.9 billion dollars for the 16.3 million existing patients with diabetes. Chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) use among the 1.17 million newly diagnosed patients with T2DM each year could deliver lifetime cost savings of 42 billion dollars, or 36,000 dollars per T2DM patient. Affordable, safe, and convenient, chromium picolinate plus biotin (Diachrome) could prove to be a cost-effective complement to existing pharmacological therapies for controlling T2DM.     

不同药物对新诊断2型糖尿病患者控制血糖的疗效观察

目的:观察不同药物对新诊断2型糖尿病患者的疗效。方法:102例新诊断的2型糖尿病患者随机分为艾塞那肽组(34例)、胰岛素组(34例)和二甲双胍组(34例)。三组患者治疗周期均为16周。分别于治疗前、治疗8周及16周测量糖化血红蛋白(HbAlc)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2h-PG),低血糖发生率、体重变化情况。结果:三组患者经治疗8周和16周时HbAlc、FPG和2h-PG均降低(P<0.05或0.01),并且艾塞那肽组及胰岛素组血糖下降与二甲双胍组相比差别有统计学意义(P<0.05或0.01)。结论:三种药物对新诊断2型糖尿病患者血糖均能控制良好,艾塞那肽注射液及胰岛素的降糖效果优于二甲双胍,艾塞那肽注射液及二甲双胍减重效果优于胰岛素。     

Quality of diabetes care among patients managed by teleconsultation

We studied a new teamwork-based teleconsultation model for treating patients with diabetes, where a specialist in diabetes care, a diabetes nurse and a patient attended by videoconference. The study series consisted of all the patients (n = 101) at three health centres in northern Finland whose care was provided by a single physician at a remote diabetes clinic. A total of 101 patients with diabetes (19 of type 1 and 82 of type 2) were studied at baseline and at 10-14 months after the first consultation. Mean HbA(1c) was 8.0% at baseline and 7.6% at follow-up (P = 0.007). The proportion of patients with poor glycaemic control decreased from 32% to 13%. Mean LDL cholesterol was 3.3 mmol/L at baseline and 2.7 mmol/L at follow-up (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with optimum lipid levels increased from 20% to 50%. Mean systolic blood pressure was 146 mmHg at baseline and had decreased by 6 mmHg at follow-up (P = 0.004). The percentage of patients with poor blood pressure control decreased from 19% to 8%. The most common changes in medication were the introduction or modification of insulin treatment and the introduction of statin and antihypertensive drugs and acetylsalicylic acid. Although the study was uncontrolled, there were improvements in glucose and LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure in patients who were managed by teleconsultation.     

Protein hydrolysates in sports nutrition

We previously demonstrated that a loosely restricted 45%-carbohydrate diet led to greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared to high-carbohydrate diets in outpatients with mild type 2 diabetes (mean HbA1c level: 7.4%) over 2 years. To determine whether good glycemic control can be achieved with a 30%-carbohydrate diet in severe type 2 diabetes, 33 outpatients (15 males, 18 females, mean age: 59 yrs) with HbA1c levels of 9.0% or above were instructed to follow a low-carbohydrate diet (1852 kcal; %CHO:fat:protein = 30:44:20) for 6 months in an outpatient clinic and were followed to assess their HbA1c levels, body mass index and doses of antidiabetic drugs. HbA1c levels decreased sharply from a baseline of 10.9 ± 1.6% to 7.8 ± 1.5% at 3 months and to 7.4 ± 1.4% at 6 months. Body mass index decreased slightly from baseline (23.8 ± 3.3) to 6 months (23.5 ± 3.4). Only two patients dropped out. No adverse effects were observed except for mild constipation. The number of patients on sulfonylureas decreased from 7 at baseline to 2 at 6 months. No patient required inpatient care or insulin therapy. In summary, the 30%-carbohydrate diet over 6 months led to a remarkable reduction in HbA1c levels, even among outpatients with severe type 2 diabetes, without any insulin therapy, hospital care or increase in sulfonylureas. The effectiveness of the diet may be comparable to that of insulin therapy.     

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes before patients complain of diabetic symptoms--clinical opportunistic screening in a single general practice

In the UK, patients normally see their general practitioner first and 86% of the health needs of the population are managed in general practice, with 14% being referred to specialist/hospital care. Early diagnosis is the privilege of general practice since general practitioners make most medical diagnoses in the NHS. Their historic aim has been to diagnose as early as possible and if possible before patients are aware of symptoms. Over time, diagnoses are being made earlier in the trajectory of chronic diseases and pre-symptomatic diagnoses through tests like cervical screening. Earlier diagnosis benefits patients and allows earlier treatment. In diabetes, the presence of lower HbA1c levels correlates with fewer complications. Methodologically, single practice research means smaller populations but greater ability to track patients and ask clinicians about missing data. All diagnoses of type 2 diabetes, wherever made, were tracked until death or transfer out. Clinical opportunistic screening has been undervalued and is more cost-effective than population screening. It works best in generalist practice. Over 19 consecutive years, all 429 patients with type 2 diabetes in one NHS general practice were analysed. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes rose from 1.1% to 3.0% of the registered population. Since 2000, 95.9% were diagnosed within the general practice and the majority (70/121 = 57.9%) of diagnoses were made before the patients reported any diabetes-related symptom. These patients had median HbA1c levels 1.1% lower than patients diagnosed after reporting symptoms, a clinically and statistically significant difference (P = 0.01).     

Quality of recording of data from patients with type 2 diabetes is not a valid indicator of quality of care. A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The quality of recording of clinical data in diabetes care in general practices is very variable. It has been suggested that better recording leads to improved glycaemic control. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the completeness of recording by GPs of data from type 2 diabetes patients; to compare recorded and missing data; and to investigate the association between completeness and glycaemic control. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 52 general practices. Medical records were scrutinized for the presence of 11 variables. Examining patients through an active approach completed incomplete records. We compared recorded and unrecorded items. Completeness of recording was determined at both patient and practice levels. RESULTS: Fifty-two general practices with 1641 type 2 diabetes patients cared for by the GP participated. The frequency of absence of any particular item ranged from 20 to 70%. Weight, systolic blood pressure and HbA(1c) were slightly lower in patients with those items missing on their files, and more such patients were non-smokers (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients with unrecorded variables that exceeded target values ranged from 39 to 75. Neither at practice level nor at patient level was any association between the completeness of the data recording and HbA(1c) found. CONCLUSION: Records often were incomplete, which hampers a systematic approach to care of diabetic patients. However, the lack of association between completeness of data recording and control of glycaemia indicates that improved recording is not a valid indicator of good quality of care.     

Drug-induced severe hypoglycaemia in Type 2 diabetic patients aged 80 years or older

Our knowledge about the risk of hypoglycaemia associated with diabetes treatment is derived from studies that often exclude elderly people. Aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for developing severe hypoglycaemia among persons aged 80 yr or older, with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). During a 2-yr period, all episodes of severe hypoglycaemia occurred in T2DM patients aged 80 yr or older were identified. Hypoglycaemia was defined as a symptomatic event requiring treatment with i.v. glucose and confirmed by a blood glucose determination of less than 50 mg/dl. A detailed history and blood laboratory profile were obtained for each patient. During the period of the survey a total of 124 diabetic subjects aged 80 yr or older were hospitalised and severe hypoglycaemia was reported in 31 patients (25%). This group of patients had a marked comorbidity and was found to have HbA1c values of 5.1% indicating that their diabetes was well controlled. Of these hypoglycaemic episodes, 23 (74%) occurred in patients taking glibenclamide. Diabetes therapy was prescribed by general practitioners in 24 of these patients. Seventeen subjects concomitantly received drugs that potentiated hypoglycaemia. Only 10 patients performed regular blood glucose self-monitoring. In conclusion, severe hypoglycaemia is a serious and not uncommon problem among elderly patients with T2DM; it is more frequent in patients undergoing aggressive diabetes management and in users of a long-acting sulphonylurea (eg, glibenclamide). A normal HbA1c level in this age group appears to be a powerful indicator of the risk of severe hypoglycaemia and should alert clinicians to change therapy. Finally, each patient's risk for hypoglycaemia should be considered and therapy should be individualised accordingly; in our opinion, a great number of episodes of serious hypoglycaemia may be prevented by teaching the principles of blood glucose monitoring and involving general practitioners in outpatient management of diabetes mellitus in the elderly.     

家族史、肥胖及自我管理行为在2型糖尿病患者糖化血红蛋白达标中的作用

目的 探讨家族史、肥胖及自我管理行为对中国基层2型糖尿病(type 2 diabetes mellitus, T2D)患者糖化血红蛋白(hemoglobin A1c, HbA1c)控制达标的作用。 方法 对2016年1月—2019年12月五家糖尿病专科连锁医院连续就诊且资料存储于院内糖尿病共同照护信息系统的门诊或住院T2D患者基线数据进行横断面分析,比较HbA1c是否达标(HbA1c<7.0%)两组的一般状况,采用多因素logistic 回归分析对HbA1c未达标相关因素进行分析。 结果 共纳入8 506例患者, HbA1c达标率27.75 %,有家族史者2 860例(33.62 %),肥胖者1 541例(18.12 %)。HbA1c是否达标,两组在年龄、病程、体质量指数、吸烟、学历、饮食依从性、运动、遵嘱监测血糖、遵嘱用药及治疗方案方面的比较,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,肥胖(OR=1.226,95%CI:1.042～1.441)和病程长(OR=1.019,95%CI:1.009～1.028)增加了HbA1c不达标的风险,单纯口服药治疗(OR=0.388,95%CI:0.345～0.436)、遵嘱用药(OR=0.805,95%CI:0.699～0.928)、规律运动(OR=0.886,95%CI:0.786～1.000)降低了HbA1c不达标的风险。 结论 本研究提示中国基层T2D患者HbA1c达标率低,治疗方案、遵嘱用药、规律运动及肥胖是HbA1c达标的相关因素。在临床糖尿病管理中需特别关注胰岛素治疗患者及肥胖患者,并关注患者在遵嘱用药及规律运动方面的依从性。     

糖化血清白蛋白在糖尿病人群中的应用评价

目的:评估糖化血清白蛋白(GA)作为反映近期血糖控制总体水平的指标在糖尿病人群中的临床应用价值。方法:选取2型糖尿病患者116例及口服葡萄糖耐量试验血糖正常者60例,用液态酶法测定GA和糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)及其它临床相关指标。结果:经过2周、4周、8周的治疗后,糖尿病患者空腹血糖(FBG)、餐后2 h血糖(2hPBG)、GA及HbA1c均有不同程度下降。GA在治疗2周时与治疗前比较显著下降(P<0.05),治疗4周与治疗2周比较、治疗8周与治疗4周比较均明显下降(P<0.01),而HbA1c在治疗2周时略有下降,与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义,在治疗4周后才有统计学意义(P<0.05)。糖尿病患者GA与HbA1c显著相关(r=0.8503,P<0.01)。结论:GA与长期血糖控制的金标准HbA1c有良好的相关性,GA可准确及时反映短期内血糖控制情况,是糖尿病患者血糖控制情况的良好监测指标,可作为糖尿病患者短期血糖控制的金标准。     

A review of nateglinide in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes

Impaired insulin secretion occurs early in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is chronic and progressive, resulting initially in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and eventually in T2DM. As most patients with T2DM have both insulin resistance and insulin deficiency, therapy for T2DM should aim to control not only fasting, but also postprandial plasma glucose levels. While oral glucose-lowering treatment with metformin and thiazolidinediones corrects fasting plasma glucose, these agents do not address the problem of mealtime glucose spikes that have been shown to trigger atherogenic processes. Nateglinide is a derivative of the amino acid D-phenylalanine, which acts directly on the pancreatic beta-cells to stimulate insulin secretion. Nateglinide monotherapy controls significantly mealtime hyperglycemia and results in improved overall glycemic control in patients with T2DM by reducing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. The combination of nateglinide with insulin-sensitising agents, such as metformin and thiazolidinediones, targets both insulin deficiency and insulin resistance and results in reductions in HbA1c that could not be achieved by monotherapy with other antidiabetic agents. In prediabetic subjects with IGT, nateglinide restores early insulin secretion and reduces postprandial hyperglycemia. Nateglinide has an excellent safety and tolerability profile and provides a lifetime flexibility that other antidiabetic agents could not accomplish. The aim of this review is to identify nateglinide as an effective "gate-keeper" in T2DM, since it restores early-phase insulin secretion and prevents mealtime glucose spikes throughout the day and to evaluate the results of ongoing research into its potential role in delaying the progression to overt diabetes and reducing its complications and mortality.