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This paper presents the baseline epidemiological data from 5548 patients with type 2 diabetes enrolled in a French observational study that aims to examine the safety, tolerability and use of acarbose as prescribed by general practitioners (GPs). Patients were recruited and monitored by a representative sample of GPs. Recruitment did not depend on a patient's suitability for acarbose treatment. The data revealed that the mean age of the patient population was 63 years, and that more than 50% of patients were over 65 years old. The population was markedly overweight [mean body mass index(BMI): males, 28.4 kg/m(2); females, 29.1 kg/m(2)] and the mean duration of diabetes was 10 (+/-7.3) years. Over 37% of patients had at least one diabetic complication, and the frequency of complications increased with both age and the duration of diabetes. The most frequently reported complications were cardiac (17.8%), vascular (14.5%) and ocular (12%). At recruitment, almost 90% of patients were being treated with oral antidiabetic agents (OADs). Sulphonylureas (74%) and biguanides (50%) were the most commonly prescribed agents. Acarbose was used to treat 17% of patients and 1% were receiving insulin. GPs set glycaemic treatment goals for 44% of patients in the study. Fasting glycaemia was the primary goal for 37% of the total study population, and HbA(1c) levels for 21% of patients. Postprandial glycaemia was generally given as a secondary or tertiary goal. In conclusion, this study provides the most up-to-date epidemiological data for patients with type 2 diabetes in France.