The death rate was 7% [95% confidence interval 6%–8%] in subjects without diabetes, 20% [9%–34%] in untreated type 2 diabetic subjects and 21% [14%–29%] in type 2 diabetics treated with hypoglycaemic drugs (23% [11%–38%] in diabetics with metformin alone, 19% [10%–31%] in diabetics treated with sulfonylureas (alone or in combination) and 31% [9%–61%] in diabetics treated with insulin (alone or in combination). This evidence concerns the gene INS and diabetes mellitus.