Management of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in Europe: A Consensus Statement*

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a common disorder, but less attention has been paid to its management over the years than to that of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Care is often in the hands of primary-care or general physicians or junior doctors in diabetes clinics. Morbidity and mortality are high. Recently there has been as increase in interest in NIDDM management; this has revealed wide variations between centres and countries. The USA tackled this problem by carrying out a nationwide education program and generating written guidelines for doctors. Many diabetologists in Europe felt that this was a good idea but that the guidelines were not entirely suitable for European practice.