Retrospective comparison of voglibose or acarbose as an add-on therapy to sulfonylureas in Western Indian patients with uncontrolled overweight/obese type 2 diabetes

AimThe study was aimed to investigate the effect of voglibose or acarbose as an add-on treatment in overweight/obese type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients who are uncontrolled with metformin and sulfonylureas (SUs) in Western part of India.Participants and methodsA retrospective study included 77 participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; HbA1c level > 8% and < 9.5%) with overweight/obese T2DM. These participants were treated with either voglibose or acarbose. Glycemic parameters (fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]), bodyweight, BMI and lipid parameters were evaluated at baseline, 3-month, 6-month and 9-month of treatment. Adverse events were also captured at respective time points.ResultsVoglibose showed significant reduction in HbA1c and bodyweight with short duration of treatment (6 months; P < 0.05 and 9 months; P < 0.01) whereas acarbose showed significant reduction with longer duration of treatment (9 months; P < 0.05) when compared with baseline. Moreover, both treatment groups were reported with reduction in BMI. Further, significant improvement in lipid parameters except LDL and HDL were observed in both treatment groups when compared with baseline. None of participant was discontinued due to side effects of the treatment. In addition, the frequency of hypoglycemia was decreased in both treatment groups.ConclusionVoglibose or acarbose as an add-on treatment with metformin and sulfonylureas in uncontrolled obese/overweight T2DM provides desired glycemic control, reduces bodyweight and improves lipid parameters with good tolerability profile.