Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a diverse group of metabolic disorders that is often associated with a high disease burden in developing countries such as Nigeria. In the early nineties, not much was known about DM in Nigeria and traditionally, people related DM to "curses" or "hexes" and diagnosis was made based on blood or urinary tests for glucose. Currently, oral hypoglycaemic agents but not insulin are readily accessible and acceptable to persons with DM. The cost of diabetes care is borne in most instances by individuals and often payment is "out of pocket"-this being a sequel of a poorly functional national health insurance scheme. An insulin requiring individual on a minimum wage would spend 29% of his monthly income on insulin. Complementary and alternative medicines are widely used by persons with DM and form an integral component of DM care. Towards reducing the burden of DM in Nigeria, we suggest that there be concerted efforts by healthcare professionals and stakeholders in the health industry to put in place preventative measures, a better functioning health insurance scheme and a structured DM program.

These data suggest that metformin and glibenclamide are not teratogenic but that it is advisable to replace OGLA, in particular glibenclamide, with insulin when women book for pregnancy care to reduce perinatal mortality rates.

This prospective study assessed in-hospital mortality from diabetic foot ulcer in relation to the demographic, clinical and laboratory features at presentation. Forty-two patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcer were followed up from admission till discharge from hospital. Those who survived or died were compared for any differences in demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation. The mean age and duration of diabetes for the 42 patients were 56.1 +/- 1.9 years and 8.3 +/- 1.1 years, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate amongst the 42 subjects was 40.5%. Ulcer grade > or =4, leucocytosis and anaemia were more prevalent in those who demised in comparison with survivors.