Aust Fam Physician
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Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major and increasing cause of morbidity and early mortality among the Aboriginal population of northern Australia. Due to differing social, dietary and probably metabolic factors, management needs differ from the mainstream Australian diabetic population. ⋯ In the abscence of specific contraindications, and in variance with some present guidelines, the evidence suggests that initial therapy with metformin rather than the sulphonylureas is likely to provide greater clinical benefit, and have a greater margin of safety.