Effects of acarbose treatment in Type 2 diabetic patients under dietary training: a multicentre, double-blind,...

This 24-months, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, group comparison study investigated the effect of acarbose vs placebo for improving metabolic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes under dietary training insufficiently controlled by diet alone. Patients randomised to acarbose had their dose increased in a stepwise manner to week 5. From week 5 onwards, they received 100 mg three times daily. This incremental dosing scheme was matched in the placebo group. All patients received specialist, intensive, continuous dietary training and counselling throughout the 2 yr of the study. Of the 74 patients randomised, 60 were included in the per-protocol analysis (28 receiving acarbose; 32 receiving placebo). HbA1c was the primary target variable. Per-protocol analysis found that, after 24 months, the mean difference in HbA1c relative to baseline value was -1.71+/-1.6% in the acarbose group and -0.82+/-1.1% in the placebo group. End-point values were 6.85+/-1.7% in the acarbose group and 7.41+/-1.1% in the placebo group. This difference between acarbose and placebo was statistically significant (p=0.02). Patients were defined as responders if they did not require additional treatment with an antidiabetic agent during the study. The responder rate under acarbose therapy was 89%, compared with 47% for placebo (p=0.0005). Acarbose-treated responders improved their HbA1c level to 6.45+/-0.82% after 24 months. The efficacy of acarbose was consistent throughout the study; decreasing efficacy was not evident. The results demonstrate the efficacy of acarbose for improving metabolic control in patients with Type 2 diabetes, even when such patients receive good dietary treatment and counselling.