DIPEPTIDYL PEPTIDASE-4 INHIBITORS, A NEW OPTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Abstract
Objective: Despite the diversity of antidiabetic medication currently available, less than half of the patients with type 2 diabetes meet the therapeutic targets recommended by the guidelines: HbA1c <7%, or even <6.5%. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with inadequate glycemic control, as well as the effects on cardiovascular risk factors. Material and method: The study included 348 patients, 161 men (46.3%) and 187 women (53.7%), with mean age of 56.1 ± 6.2 years, who started treatment with sitagliptin, combined with either metformin, sulphonylurea or both. Results and discussions: Sitagliptin improved glycemic control reducing average HbA1c with 1.1%; the average weight decreased with 1.7 kg after 24 weeks of treatment, and the lipid profile improved significantly. Conclusions: Sitagliptin offers a new therapeutic option in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with the advantage of a single dose oral administration.