This manual briefly covers the diagnosis and presentation of NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and presents practical guidelines for non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment based on the most up-to-date clinical practice. Given the potentially devastating consequences, in terms of patient health and long-term cost to health-care systems, of leaving diabetes mellitus untreated, the need for primary care physicians to identify and treat their diabetic patients adequately is great. Some NIDDM patients are not able to achieve optimal glycaemic control with diet and exercise alone, and require oral hypolycamic drugs.
