Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)

A group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that include coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease and PAD

Dipeptidyl peptidase - 4 inhibitors (DPP - 4 inhibitors or gliptins)

Oral antidiabetic drugs used in treating type 2 diabetes. They suppress the degradation of incretins by blocking the action of the enzyme dipeptidyl - peptidase 4. This stimulates insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release.

HbA1c

Haemoglobin glycated by non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to haemoglobin. The concentration of HbA1c is the most commonly used measure of chronic glycaemia in clinical trials and diabetes management. It is considered to reflect the integrated mean glucose level over the previous 8–12 weeks.

Metformin

A biguanide oral antidiabetic, agent used in treating type 2 diabetes. It decreases glucose production by the liver  

Type 1 diabetes

Diabetes caused by immune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in lack of insulin production by the pancreas and need for insulin injections for survival.

Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes characterized by various degrees of disorders of insulin action in the body and insulin secretion by the pancreas. Insulin injections are not needed for survival, but might be needed for controlling blood glucose levels.

Incretins

are a group of metabolic hormones that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels.

Basal insulin

Insulin which regulates the body's blood glucose between mealtimes, as well as overnight.

Prandial insulin

insulin covers increases in blood glucose levels following meals

Insulin analogs

synthetically produced variations of insulin that are different in amino acid sequence than that of native human insulin.