A. Treatment Scenario 1: initiation of metformin at diagnosis, with
HbA1c reduction from 8.5% to 7.0%
B. Treatment Scenario 2: initiation of insulin 10 years after
‘failing’ initial oral therapy, with HbA1c reduction
from 8.5% to 7.5%
Abbreviations: ESRD, end-stage renal disease; MI, myocardial infarction. The
number needed to treat values were calculated from the estimated absolute risk
reductions based on Vijan and colleagues’ Markov simulation
model.40 For scenario
2, the absolute risk reduction for prevention vision loss among 75 year olds
with new-onset diabetes was 0%, thus yielding a number needed to treat
of infinity.