As the global epidemic of diabetes continues to expand, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is predicted to double in the next 20 years. Continued population growth, increasing age, and worldwide globalization leading to changes in diet and patterns of physical inactivity have resulted in staggering numbers of individuals affected by the disease. A haphazard approach to treatment for a problem of this magnitude could easily overburden the healthcare system, particularly in areas of the world with limited resources. The development of a rational approach to therapy should be based on data derived from the strongest level of clinical evidence available, with the goal of.
