Clinical experience with acarbose: results of a Canadian multicentre study

N. Wilson Rodger
Jean-Louis Chiasson
Robert G. Josse
John A. Hunt
Carol Palmason
Stuart A. Ross
Edmond A. Ryan
Meng H. Tan
Thomas M.S. Wolever

Centre de recherche, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Montréal, Québec; St. Michael's Hospital, Department of Nutritional Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario; Lion's Gate Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia; Vexco Laboratories, Inc. Calgary, Alberta; St. Joseph's Health Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario; Foothills Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta; Walter C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; Camp Hill Medical Centre, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Collaborators:
Halifax: B. Maclntyre, J. Salmond, K. Travers
Montreal: J-M. Ékoé, M. Verdy, E Ducros, H. Langelier, D. Poisson
Toronto: T. Siddigi, Y. Strasberg, N. Zello
London: G. Becks, G. Tevaarwerk, B. Cubberley, W. Prescod, E. Rose
Edmonton: S. Imes, G. Scrivens
Calgary: R. Jamal
Vancouver: I. Byers, J. Tyson
Bayer Inc.: J. Mukherjee, C. Bartlett

Abstract

Current therapeutic options for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) focus on regimens that primarily lower fasting blood glucose concentrations. In several short-term studies, the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose, has been reported to significantly lower postprandial plasma glucose levels as well as HbA_1c. The primary objective of this present study was to assess the long-term efficacy of adjunctive acarbose therapy to improve metabolic control. Over a 1-y period, acarbose or placebo was administered to 4 groups of patients: those managed by diet only, diet and sulfonylurea, diet and biguanide, and diet and insulin. In all treatment groups, the addition of acarbose resulted in significant reductions in postprandial blood glucose levels. Additionally, HbA_1c was significantly lower after 12 months of acarbose therapy, compared with placebo, in all groups except the diet and insulin group. The addition of acarbose consequently expands the armamentarium available to clinicians for the optimization of glycemic control in patients with NIDDM.

Clin Invest Med 1995; 18 (4): 318-324

Table of contents: CIM vol. 18, no. 4