Effects of Pioglitazone and Metformin on Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
Author Information
Author(s): Markolf Hanefeld, Andreas Pfützner, Thomas Forst, Iris Kleine, Winfried Fuchs
Primary Institution: GWT-TUD mbH
Hypothesis
Does the addition of pioglitazone or metformin to basal insulin therapy affect cardiovascular risk markers in patients with type 2 diabetes?
Conclusion
Pioglitazone reduces inflammatory markers and improves insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Pioglitazone reduced MMP-9 levels significantly compared to metformin.
- Insulin dosage was reduced in the pioglitazone group.
- Adiponectin levels increased significantly in the pioglitazone and combination groups.
- Reduction in hs-CRP was significant for pioglitazone and combination groups.
- The combination of pioglitazone and metformin improved HbA1C more than either drug alone.
Takeaway
This study found that adding pioglitazone to insulin therapy helps lower certain harmful substances in the blood, making it better for heart health.
Methodology
This was a double-blind, randomized, multicentre trial involving 121 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with basal insulin and received either metformin, pioglitazone, or a combination for 6 months.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the involvement of pharmaceutical companies in the study.
Limitations
The study was limited to a specific age range and may not be generalizable to all patients with type 2 diabetes.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 30-75 years, predominantly male (61.1%), and all were Caucasian.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0345
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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