Glycaemic management in type 2 diabetes mellitus has become increasingly complex and, to some extent, controversial, with a widening array of pharmacological agents now available [1–5], mounting concerns about their potential adverse effects and new uncertainties regarding the benefits of intensive glycaemic control on macrovascular complications [6–9]. Many clinicians are therefore perplexed as to the optimal strategies for their patients. As a consequence, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for