Work

Metformin and β‐cell function in insulin‐treated patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized placebo‐controlled 4.3‐year trial

Year: 2017

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: In this trial, 390 insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to either placebo or metformin. Fasting levels of glucose, insulin and C peptide were determined at baseline, after 4 months and yearly thereafter for 4 years to assess fasting estimates of beta cell function. The primary endpoint was the fasting C peptide-to-glucose ratio (FCPGR) and secondary measures were the disposition index (DI) and the fasting C peptide (FCP). We analysed the results with a general linear mixed model. Baseline FCPGR was 5.27 (95% CI, 4.83 - 5.71). Compared to placebo, FCPGR increased in the metformin group with 1.48 (95% CI, 1.09 - 1.87, P < 0.001). The DI showed comparable results with a treatment effect of 1.50 (95% CI, 1.17 - 1.83; P < 0.001). FCP also increased in the metformin group but did not reach statistical significance vs placebo (0.034 nmol, 95% CI, -0.005 - 0.072; P = 0.085). Treatment with metformin vs placebo, added to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes, improves long-term estimates of beta cell function in the fasting state.

Source: Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism

DOI: 10.1111/dom.13123

Authors: Wiebe Top, Coen Stehouwer, Philippe Lehert, Adriaan Kooy

Institutions: Maastricht University Medical Centre, UCLouvain, University Medical Center Groningen, Ziekenhuis Bethesda

Language: English

Topic: Diabetes Treatment and Management

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Merck, Novo Nordisk