title: Long-term efficacy and tolerability of acarbose treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of long-term acarbose therapy in type 2 diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, single-centre group comparison, patients were randomised to receive either acarbose or matching placebo, in addition to their regular antidiabetic therapy, over a period of 78 weeks. Eligibility for inclusion in the efficacy evaluation included a study duration of >/=510 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary efficacy parameter was the change in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1)) from baseline to end of study. Secondary variables included changes in blood glucose and lipid parameters, as well as signs of retinopathy and nephropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 139 patients were assessed for safety and 88 patients (44 in each treatment group) were included in the efficacy analysis. Patients were generally overweight and the majority had previously been treated with sulphonylureas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acarbose significantly improved fasting and 1-hour postprandial blood glucose levels compared with placebo (p = 0.039 and 0.009), and improvements in HbA(1) with acarbose versus placebo fell just short of significance (p = 0.057). There were no differences between treatments in changes in microvascular complications, but blood pressure improved with acarbose treatment. Two patients in the acarbose group experienced elevated liver enzyme levels. Generally, acarbose had a good safety profile and was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term treatment with acarbose was safe and efficacious in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus that was insufficiently controlled by other oral antidiabetics.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, and Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Pesach
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: Haskel E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Eliahou
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petzinna
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neuser
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brückner
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spengler