Diabetes mellitus is a group of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia; altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrate and proteins; and an increased risk of complications from vascular diseases. Most patients can be classified clinically as having either Type-1 (insulin dependent diabetes) or Type-2 diabetes mellitus (noninsulin dependent diabetes). In the United States, about 90% of diabetic patients have Type-2 diabetes mellitus. There are more than 125 million persons with diabetes in the world today.