Effect of Adjunct Metformin Treatment in Patients with Type-1 Diabetes and Persistent Inadequate Glycaemic Control. A Randomized Study
2008

Metformin Treatment in Type-1 Diabetes Patients

Sample size: 100 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Søren Søgaard Lund, Lise Tarnow, Anne Sofie Astrup, Peter Hovind, Peter Karl Jacobsen, Amra Ciric Alibegovic, Ida Parving, Lotte Pietraszek, Merete Frandsen, Peter Rossing, Hans-Henrik Parving, Allan Arthur Vaag

Primary Institution: Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark

Hypothesis

Metformin treatment might reduce glycaemia as well as other non-glycaemic cardiovascular risk markers in patients with type-1 diabetes and persistent poor glycaemic control.

Conclusion

Adjunct metformin therapy did not improve glycaemic control after one year but was associated with reduced insulin dose and body weight.

Supporting Evidence

  • Metformin did not significantly lower HbA1c levels compared to placebo.
  • Total daily insulin dose decreased significantly in the metformin group.
  • Body weight and hip circumference also decreased significantly with metformin treatment.

Takeaway

This study looked at whether adding metformin to insulin treatment helps people with type-1 diabetes control their blood sugar better. It found that it didn't help with blood sugar levels, but it did help reduce the amount of insulin needed and weight.

Methodology

A randomized, double-masked, parallel trial comparing metformin and placebo in 100 patients with type-1 diabetes over 12 months.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to self-reported data on blood glucose levels during hypoglycaemic events.

Limitations

The study may not apply to patients with less severe glycaemic dysregulation or those not included in the trial.

Participant Demographics

All participants were Caucasian, with a mean age of approximately 45 years and a median diabetes duration of 25 to 30 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.422

Confidence Interval

−0.19; 0.44

Statistical Significance

p=0.422

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0003363

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication