A critical analysis of the concept of secondary oral hypoglycemic agent (OHA) failure in type 2 diabetes at a tertiary care hospital

Data from UKPDS study suggests that the onset of β cell dysfunction in diabetes occurs well before the development of hyperglycemia. To study the concept of secondary OHA failure in type 2 diabetes patients of more than 10 years duration in a tertiary care hospital. A retrospective analysis of all the cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus of more than 10 years duration from 2002 to 2003 was done and the data was divided into three groups: oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) only, Insulin only, OHA + insulin. ANOVA/Students t test was the primary statistical test used. Odds ratio and 95% CI were calculated to compare risks of other diseases and drug use. 62.35% were on only OHAs, 8.82% on only insulin and 28.82% on both insulin and OHAs. This confirms good efficacy of OHAs. Diabetic population in our study tends to have a preserved beta cell function and secondary OHA failure is a late feature.