A COMPARISON OF PIOGLITAZONE WITH METFORMIN IN MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Objectives: To compare hypoglycemic effect of Pioglitazone and Metformin in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
Study Design: Quasi experimental study
Place and Duration of study: Department of Medicine, Military Hospital Rawalpindi Cantt from 11-01-2007 to 12-08-2007.
Material and Methods: Sixty patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus from outdoor department were selected. On arrival at OPD each patient was examined thoroughly. Therapeutic option was allocated to the patients simply by using a table of random numbers and dividing them in two equal groups. Informed written consent was obtained. Each patient was followed on monthly subsequent visits (six in total) and his HbA1c, fasting and random blood glucose were recorded carefully.
All the data thus obtained was processed and analyzed using SPSS version 10.0. Mean and SD were calculated for age, BMI, fasting blood glucose, random blood glucose and HbA1c levels.
Results: Mean drop of all three parameters were compared among two groups. At the end of six months, it was revealed that fasting and random (2 hours postprandial) blood glucose dropped more in Pioglitazone group; P=0.000 and 0.02 respectively. While almost comparable effect was observed in HbA1c (P=0.2).
Conclusion: Pioglitazone has significantly better hypoglycemic effect than Metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus at the end of six months therapy.