Effect of metformin on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes in daily practice: a retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Recently the UKPDS study revealed the potency of metformin therapy in obese type 2 diabetic patients. A retrospective study was performed to assess the efficacy of metformin therapy in improving metabolic control in everyday practice.


METHODS
Type 2 diabetic patients were included if they met the following criteria: metformin had been added when the previous treatment failed to optimise glycaemic control expressed in HbA1c level; duration of metformin therapy had to be at least six months. Efficacy of metformin therapy, expressed as a decrease in HbA1c, was measured with a median follow-up of 32 (range 6-60) months. Variables were analysed using a paired t-test.


RESULTS
One hundred and sixty-three patients were treated with metformin. 98 patients were excluded, because of absence of an HbA1c value prior to treatment with metformin mainly (n = 78). The mean HbA1c of included patients had decreased 1.4% (p < 0.001) after 6 months (n = 65), 1.6% (p < 0.001) after 24 months (n = 45) and 1.5 (p < 0.001) after 36 months (n = 28). During follow-up there was no significant weight gain or loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Metformin can be considered an effective treatment to improve glycaemic control in obese type 2 diabetic patients.
Stades
A M
AM
Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis, Utrecht, The Netherlands. astades@diakhuis.nl
Heikens
J T
JT
Holleman
F
F
Hoekstra
J B
JB
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin