Glycemic effects of vildagliptin and metformin combination therapy in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes: an observational study

To analyze the glycemic response of Indian patients with type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin and compare our data with those of clinical trials.

In a retrospective study of the hospital database, the glycemic control of 280 patients with T2DM who were either on a once- or twice-daily regimen of combination therapy with vildagliptin 50 mg and metformin 500 mg was analyzed.

The mean duration of follow-up of the patients was 16.8 months. There was a reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 1.52 ± 0.79 and 1.88 ± 0.87 mmol/L in the once- and twice-daily groups, respectively (both P < 0.0001) from baseline to last visit. The reduction in postprandial plasma glucose (PPPG) in the once- and twice-daily groups was 3.98 ± 1.72 and 4.33 ± 1.88 mmol/L, respectively (both P < 0.0001), whereas the reduction in HbA1c was 1.41 ± 1.39% and 1.90 ± 1.49%, respectively (both P < 0.0001). The differences in the reductions achieved in FPG and HbA1c with the two dosing regimens were significant.

Although the present retrospective study shows a robust response to the combination of vildagliptin and metformin in Indian patients, more multicenter studies from India with a greater number patients are necessary to confirm this finding.