Effect of Lifestyle Modification and Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs on Metabolic Parameters in Recently Diagnosed Patientswith Uncomplicated Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Eastern India

BACKGROUND: Oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) are often advised for initial treatment for patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Their effects on glycemic control, lipid profile, insulin resistance and beta cell function has not been systematically studied in India. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lifestyle modification and OADs on metabolic parameters in recently diagnosed uncomplicated T2DM patients. MATERIAL METHODS: A total of consecutive sixty four (64) cases of recently diagnosed uncomplicated T2DM in the age group of 30 - 60 years were studied. They were evaluated for weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2hr post glucose plasma glucose (2hrPGPG), HbA1c, lipid profile, serum fasting insulin, c-peptide, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β. They were divided into four groups according to increasing order of HbA1c values (6.5% - 6.9%, 7% - 7.5%, 7.6% - 8.5%, 8.6% - 8.9%). These four groups were subjected to lifestyle modification (LSM), monotherapy with metformin (1 g) and LSM, dual drug therapy i.e. metformin (1 g), glimepiride (1 mg) and LSM, triple drug therapy i.e. metformin (1 g), glimepiride 1 mg, sitagliptin 100 mg) and LSM respectively. These patients were followed up after three months of therapy. They were evaluated for the same metabolic parameters and compared with their baseline value. Fourteen (14) patients were lost to follow up. RESULTS: We found 91%, 92.8%, 53.3% and 60% of our patients from above four different groups achieved target glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 6.5%). In all the four groups, significant improvement in glycemic status, lipid profile, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were observed (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, early Initiation of LSM along with OADs either as monotherapy or in combination therapy according to HbA1c value showed significant improvement in glycemic control, insulin resistance and beta cell function.