Sulphonylureas and cardiovascular disease: a problem for few diabetics

Because of the doubts cast on the safety of the sulphonylureas we analysed 1000 consecutive referrals to a diabetic clinic to identify the number of new patients equally suitable for treatment with a sulphonylurea or insulin. After excluding previously diagnosed and treated diabetics and those with a non-diabetic glucose tolerance test there were 531 new diabetics. Youth and insulin dependency, old age or obesity accounted for 390. A further 40 required diet alone, 50 had concomitant disease or socio-domestic circumstances influencing treatment choice, and 10 had secondary diabetes. Thus, only 41 diabetics (7.7% of new patients or 4.1% of total clinic referrals) appeared suitable for optional sulphonylurea or insulin therapy. We conclude that there are relatively few diabetics for whom the questionable safety of the sulphonylureas poses a therapeutic problem, and equally few who would be available for any further long-term, random-allocation trials of their effects upon the cardiovascular system.