The Effect of Metformin as an Adjunct Therapy in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

The strict control of blood glucose levels in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is accompanied with a considerable long term decrease in microvasular and macrovascular complications.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of metformin as an adjunct therapy in adolescents with poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes.

It was a quasi-experimental (an uncontrolled before and after) study. The study population consisted of the patients aged over 10 years with T1DM. Metformin tablet was added to patient's insulin therapy for 12 months. Haemoglobin A1c protein was measured in the beginning of the study and repeated with three months intervals till the end of it. Insulin dosage, Body Mass Index (BMI), serum lipid, creatinine and lactate level were measured twice; in the beginning of the study and at the end of it (after 12 months). Data was analysed by SPSS (version 18) software. Paired- t-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and Repeated Measure ANOVA were used to examine the study's hypothesis. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant.

Twenty nine patients were included in the study. HbA1c level and insulin dosage was significantly reduced (p<0.001) after one month of metformin as an adjunct therapy. Serum lipid was decreased (p=0.7). Weight (p<0.001) and BMI (p=0.007) were increased.

Adjunctive metformin therapy reduced HbA1c value and the insulin dosage received in adolescents with T1DM.