Rosiglitazone plus metformin combination improves glycaemic control in diabetes
A “real-life” study in type 2 diabetes has demonstrated that combination therapy with rosiglitazone plus metformin (Avandamet) effectively lowers blood glucose levels and reduces blood pressure.
The study — a pooled analysis of two large observational studies
of real-life practice in Germany and funded by GlaxoSmithKline — included
11,014 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with rosiglitazone
plus metformin combination therapy for six months. Results demonstrated
an increase in the number of patients reaching HbA1c levels of <= 7mmol/L
from 13.5 per cent at baseline to 63.7 per cent at six months. The number
of patients reaching a tighter HbA1c target of <= 6.5mmol/L also
increased, from 5.3 per cent to 38.8 per cent at six months.
Further data showed that adding rosiglitazone to metformin achieved a
significant 1.3 per cent reduction in median HbA1c from baseline (P<0.0001)
and a decrease in fasting blood glucose of 2.6 mmol/L (P<0.0001).
In addition, patients showed a decrease in mean blood pressure from 144/85mmHg
at baseline to 137/82mmHg (P<0.0001).
The results were reported at the European
Association for the Study of Diabetes in Munich last week.
Insulin glargine Aventis announced the results of two studies that
show the 24-hour insulin analogue insulin glargine (Lantus) offers
benefits in terms of glycaemic control. One study found that 50 per
cent more patients given insulin glargine plus oral antidiabetes
medicines reached target blood glucose levels with less risk of hypoglycaemia
than patients treated with twice-daily pre-mixed insulin and no oral
agents. A second study showed that insulin glargine optimised glycaemic
control in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
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