ABSTRACT
Because the degree of insulin deficiency in type 2 diabetes is less dra-
matic than in type 1, it has sometimes been regarded by doctors and
patients alike as mild diabetes. The effects of the disease and its com-
plications on mortality and morbidity, however, are profound. A diag-
nosis of type 2 diabetes increases 5-year mortality two-or three-fold
and decreases life expectancy by 5-10 years. Most of this excess
mortality is from cardiovascular disease (Fig 14).
