Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 1998; 2 (5): 175-179

Effects of insulin-oral hypoglycemic agents combined therapy in outpatients with type 2 diabetes

D. Sinagra, A.M. Scarpitta, M. Amato

Istituto di Clinica Medica I, Divisione di Endocrinologia e Malattie del Ricambio, Cattedra di Endocrinologia, Policlinico Universitario “Paolo Giaccone” – Palermo (Italy)


Abstract. – To evaluate the efficacy of combined insulin-OHAs therapy in subjects with NIDDM who received treatment with OHAs and insulin alone, we selected 60 outpatients divided in two groups: Group A: 36 subjects treated with OHAs therapy that received insulin treatment for secondary failure; Group B: 24 subjects in which OHAs therapy was added to insulin regimen to avoid the effects of hyperinsulinization. In the group A body weight increased significantly (+1.94 +/- 2.80 kg, p< 0.001 vs baseline), while in group B no gain of body weight was observed. Both groups showed a similar improvement of glycemic control. For the group A, the FPG and HbA1c decreased, respectively, from 14.64 +/- 3.76 to 8.72 +/- 2.92 mmol/l and from 9.10 +/- 0.30 to 7.20 +/- 0.53% at 6 months (p< 0.001). For the group B FPG and HbA1c decreased, respectively, from 12.05 +/- 3.49 to 8.24 +/- 3.01 mmol/l and from 8.3 +/- 0.1 to 6.8 +/- 0.13% (p< 0.001). Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid concentrations did not show significant changes in either group. Insulin requirement in group A was 0.21 +/- 0.13 U/Kg/day. Despite of improvement of glycemia, total insulin requirement decreased in Group B from 0.53 +/- 0.25 to 0.34 +/- 0.2 U/Kg/day after OHAs therapy (p< 0.001). In the group A the bedtime insulin administration was prevalent (52.68%), while the most patients of group B needed a second or a third daily insulin injection (83.33%). In conclusion, in type 2 diabetic patients, therapy with combination of OHAs and insulin was associated with lower insulin doses and less weight gain.

To cite this article

D. Sinagra, A.M. Scarpitta, M. Amato
Effects of insulin-oral hypoglycemic agents combined therapy in outpatients with type 2 diabetes

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci
Year: 1998
Vol. 2 - N. 5
Pages: 175-179