Background: ADA has a cut-off value for IGT (140-200 mg/dL) but has a lower cut-offvalue for IFG (100-125 mg/dL) and has additional hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) based criteria of alevel of 5.7% to 6.4% for the definition of prediabetes. Due to progressive nature of prediabetes,dual drug therapy produces additive effects, allows the use of submaximal doses, and less sideeffects of individual agents. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the effect ofVoglibosein comparison to Pioglitazoneon glycemic control as an add-on drug in prediabetespatients whose glycemic status was uncontrolled with metformin alone.
Methods: The present study was open, randomized, parallel group comparison of two activetreatment groups over a period of six months. Sixty-seven patients of either sex in the age groupof 30-60 years, suffering from prediabetes, with FBG: 100-125 mg/dl and PPBG:140-200 mg/dlas per ADA were selected at randomly. The effect of FDC of Voglibosewith Metformin andPioglitazone with Metformin were observed on various parameters of Glycemic Triad (FBG,PPBG, HOMA-IR, HbA1c and Serum Insulin).
Results: At the end of 6 months it was observed that though both FDC of VoglibosewithMetformin and Pioglitazone with Metformin reduced Glycaemia Statistically significantly butPioglitazone with Metformin caused a significantly greater percentage change in Glycaemia as compared with Voglibose with Metformin. Few side effects were observed with VoglibosewithMetforminbutnot with PioglitazonewithMetformin.
Conclusions: Though Voglibose with Metformin and Pioglitazone with Metformin were equally effective in lowering Glycaemia yet Pioglitazone with Metformin showed better results inimproving glycaemia, as compared to Voglibose with Metformin. Pioglitazone with Metforminhad minimal side effects as compared to Voglibose with Metformin.
