The efficacy of metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious medical and social problem. The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing in all countries, where 95% are patients with type 2 diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2014, the number of patients with type 2 diabetes was 387 million, or every 12th inhabitant of the planet. By 2035, the number of patients with type 2 diabetes could increase to 592 million people [1]. Global trends in diabetes incidence rates are also observed in Russia. According to the national register, there are 8 million diabetic patients in Russia, or approximately 5% of the total population, whereas 90% of them are patients with type 2 diabetes. By 2025, the number of patients is expected to increase to 13 million people. The number of registered patients is usually 2-3 times less than the real number. [2, 3] The greatest input in the number of diabetic patients is made by the increase in the number of type 2 diabetes patients in older age groups.