Efficacy of metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus poorly controlled with insulin therapy

Abstract

Combined treatment with insulin plus metformin could be a good alternative to improve the glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus poorly controlled with insulin therapy. We retrospectively studied 21 obese insulin-treated type 2 diabetic patients with deficient metabolic control (HbAlc 9.2+/-1.2%) who were treated with metformin for a minimum of 8 months. After 4 months of treatment, a significant decrease in the percentage of HbAlc was observed (Delta HbAlc-1.07+/-.12%; p<0.01), with maintained values since then. Non changes in body weight or insulin requirement were noted. Our results suggest that the addition of metformin to insulin treatment is a safe and effective strategy for the improvement of glycemic control among obese type 2 diabetic patients.