The effect of metformin on blood glucose control in overweight patients with Type 1 diabetes

Authors: Khan, A. S. A.; McLoughney, C. R.; Ahmed, A. B.

Source: Diabetic Medicine, Volume 23, Number 10, October 2006 , pp. 1079-1084(6)

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Abstract:

Aims

In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study, we investigated the effect of metformin on blood glucose control and daily insulin dose in overweight patients with Type 1 diabetes. Methods

We studied 15 C-peptide-negative patients, aged 48 ± 12 years, with a body mass index of 31.3 ± 2.6 kg/m². Each patient had a `screening visit', followed by a 4-week `run-in' period. This was followed by two separate 16-week `study' (treatment) periods, separated by a 4-week `wash-out' period. Patients received either metformin or placebo during the `study' periods, in random order. Results

HbA_1c was significantly lower following 16 weeks of treatment with metformin (7.8 ± 1.1%) compared with baseline (8.5 ± 1.4%; P < 0.005) and placebo (8.6 ± 1.2%; P < 0.005). Fasting plasma glucose, following 16 weeks of metformin treatment, was significantly lower (8.3 ± 2.8 mmol/l) compared with baseline (12.4 ± 3.0 mmol/l; P < 0.01) and placebo (12.6 ± 3.4 mmol/l; P < 0.01). Compared with baseline (60 ± 14 units), total daily insulin dose was significantly lower following the addition of metformin (50 ± 13 units; P < 0.05) and this final total daily insulin dose in the metformin group was lower compared with placebo (58 ± 12 units, P < 0.05). Body weight did not change following metformin or placebo treatment. Conclusion

Metformin can effectively improve glycaemic control and reduce the total daily insulin dose in overweight people with Type 1 diabetes.

Diabet. Med. 23, 1079-1084 (2006)

Keywords: blood glucose; body weight; metformin; overweight; Type 1 diabetes

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01966.x

Publication date: 2006-10-01