Usage of Glimepiride and Metformin Combination in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Established Complications in Indian Settings

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the usage pattern of glimepiride and metformin fixed-dose combinations (FDC) and to determine its efficacy and tolerability in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with established complications in Indian settings. Methods: This was a retrospective multi-centric (n = 156), cross-sectional study. Patients of either sex, age above 18 years, who had developed microvascular and/or macrovascular complications receiving any strength of glimepiride and metformin FDC for the treatment of T2DM were included. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory assessments, and adverse event profiles were retrieved from medical records. Results: A total of 470 patients with a mean age of 53.6 years were included. The majority of patients was obese (68.1%). Hypertension (58.7%) was the most common comorbidity, followed by dyslipidemia (36.0%). Macrovascular and microvascular complications were observed in 21.5% and 86.8% of patients, respectively. Among the available strengths, glimepiride 2 mg and metformin 500 mg FDC was most widely used in 30.2% of patients. Dosage up-titration was observed in 44.3% of patients. A significant improvement in glycemic parameters was observed posttreatment with glimepiride and metformin FDC (P < 0.001). Physicians’ global evaluation of efficacy and tolerability showed a majority of patients on a good to excellent scale (96.0% and 93.1%). Conclusion: Glimepiride and metformin FDCs have been extensively studied and found to be safe and effective in improving glycemic control with minimal risk of hypoglycemic events and weight gain in T2DM patients with established complications in Indian settings.