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An observational study of acarbose treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes from the Middle East and Morocco
Authors Shihabi AR, Moussa EM, Sobierajska H, Schmidt B
Received 16 July 2012
Accepted for publication 12 September 2012
Published 9 April 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 141—150
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S36012
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 4
Abdul R Shihabi,1 Essam M Moussa,2 Hania Sobierajska,3 Birgit Schmidt4
1Al Ain Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 2New Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Etihad Airways Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; 4Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Leverkusen, Germany
Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically in the Middle East and North Africa region. However, there are few trials that have determined the effect of antidiabetic treatment in an observational setting in these countries.
Methods: This was a noninterventional study performed in Morocco in 2006–2007 and in the Middle East in 2005–2006 to observe the efficacy and safety of acarbose in patients with pretreated or untreated type 2 diabetes. Glycemic parameters (fasting blood glucose, one-hour postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c) were recorded within a 3-month period. The observation period included an initial visit at the start of acarbose therapy and up to three follow-ups.
Results: Acarbose was effective in reducing glycemic parameters in patients from Morocco (n = 1082) and the Middle East (n = 1737). The mean one-hour postprandial blood glucose decreased by 35.5% to 165.4 ± 47.9 mg/dL in the Middle East and by 35.5% to 179.0 ± 49.9 mg/dL in Morocco. Mean fasting blood glucose decreased by 30.8% to 126.6 ± 34.2 mg/dL (Middle East) and by 34.5% to 150.6 ± 47.1 mg/dL (Morocco). The absolute reduction in HbA1c was 1.3% in the Middle East (final value 7.4%) and 1.0% in Morocco (final value 7.5%). Overall, 107 patients (Middle East) and 26 patients (Morocco) experienced minor drug-related adverse events, which were mainly gastrointestinal. The tolerability of acarbose was rated as very good/good by 80.8% in the Middle East and by 68.6% in Morocco.
Conclusion: This study illustrates the efficacy and safety of acarbose in the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients in an observational setting.
Keywords: type 2 diabetes, acarbose, Glucobay®, Glucor®, observational, noninterventional
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