title: The efficacy of acarbose in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jamaica.
abstract: The efficacy and tolerability of acarbose was studied in type 2 diabetic patients eating a typical Jamaican diet. The study was an open label parallel group study without placebo control. Of the 51 subjects recruited, five (9.8%) did not complete the study and were excluded from further analysis. Six (13%) of the remaining 46 had adverse side effects and did not complete the protocol. Of the remaining 40 (Gp A), acarbose was added to their previous regime of diet alone (n = 15), [Gp B], oral hypoglycaemic agents, OHAs (n = 17), [Gp C], or insulin (n = 8), Gp D]. In addition, during the run-in period all subjects had one session each with a dietitian and a diabetes educator. Over a 3-month period, significant reductions in average glucose (mmol) were observed in Gp B 10.5 +/- 1.1 to 8.4 +/- 0.9 (p < 0.027) and, from 11.0 +/- 1.0 to 8.7 +/- 0.7 (p < 0.01) in Gp C. Similarly, total glycosylated haemoglobin fell from 14.8 +/- 1.1% to 12.2 +/- 1.0% (p < 0.016) in Gp B, from 14.9 +/- 1.1 to 11.9 +/- 1.1% (p < 0.002) in Gp C, and from 14.1 +/- 1.4 to 11.8 +/- 1.4 (p < 0.02) in Gp D. Twenty-three per cent (23%) of the patients experienced flatulence; 7.5%, changes in bowel habits and 5%, abdominal cramps and discomfort. Acarbose is effective as monotherapy and as combination therapy with oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin. Side effects were common, but tolerable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry Section), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors.forename: E Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wright-Pascoe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aquart
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banbury
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Whitbourne
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Callender
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Less
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D020909:Acarbose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004032:Diet; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D020909:Acarbose