Efficacy of DPP4i as the Fourth Drug in the Management of Type2 Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians Poorly Controlled by Use of at least 3 Oral Antidiabetic Drugs.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) as the fourth drug in Asian Indian type2 DM patients uncontrolled inspite of using at least 3 oral anti diabetic drugs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 7858 T2DM patients, who received a DPP-4i (Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Teneligliptin, Linagliptin and Saxagliptin) as the fourth drug to achieve glycemic control was undertaken. Patients with inadequate glycaemic control despite receiving optimum doses of at least any other three OADs were included in this analysis. RESULTS: Patients were subdivided into 5 groups, based on the DPP-4i used for treatment: Sitagliptin (n=4787), Vildagliptin (n=2205), Teneligliptin (n=775), Linagliptin (n=64) and Saxagliptin (n=27). The mean fasting blood glucose (FPG) was 160.9 ± 20.4 mg/dl and mean post prandial glucose (PPG) was 227.8 ± 26.3 mg/dl. The mean baseline HbA1c was 8.2 ± 1.5 %. The mean duration required to control diabetes with all DPP-4i was 8.2 weeks with significantly lesser time with Sitagliptin (6.8 weeks, p<0.001). 81.5% of the total cases responded to treatment with a DPP-4i (P <0.05). At the end of the monitoring period, there was significant reduction in mean FPG by-28.1 ± 16.1 mg/dL(P=0.001), mean PPG by -55.3 ± 17.0 mg/dL(P=0.001), and mean HbA1c by -1.2 ± 0.7 (P= 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to reduction in PPG and HbA1c. CONCLUSION: DPP-4 inhibitors are effective in achieving desired glycaemic goals even when used as a fourth drug in patients with inadequate glycaemic control despite receiving an optimum dose of at least 3 OADs.

Autoimmune Hypoglycemia Relapse on Glucocorticoids, Effectively Treated with Azathioprine.

Autoimmune Hypoglycemia, though very rare in India, but can be challenging to manage. Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) should be considered in any patient with hypoglycemia in the setting of unsuppressed insulin levels associated with anti-insulin or anti insulin receptor antibodies. We are reporting the clinical course of one such case of insulin autoimmune syndrome, who was initially treated with glucocorticoids. The patient relapsed and was later on treated effectively with Azathioprine for glucocorticoids failure and toxicity.

Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibitors as the Fifth Drug in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Asian Indians not Controlled with at least 4 Oral Antidiabetic Drugs.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors as an add-on therapy along with stricter lifestyle modification in Asian Indian type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with inadequate glycemic control despite receiving an optimum dose of at least 4 oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of data of 808 T2DM patients being treated with an SGLT2 inhibitor (Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin or Canagliflozin) as an add-on drug in patients with inadequate glycemic control despite receiving optimum doses of at least any four OADs(metformin, sulphonylureas, pioglitazone, DPP4 Inhibitors, alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors) and who preferred not to initiate insulin. RESULTS: The average age of the patients included was 51.63 years (SD ± 9.88). 57.7% were males. Average weight was 81.95±16.08 kg. Mean duration of diabetes was 34.08±39.04 months. The mean baseline fasting plasma glucose was 198.21 ± 38.21 mg/dl and mean post prandial plasma glucose was 264.22 ± 45.22 mg/ dl. The baseline HbA1c was 8.92 ± 1.47 %. Total 87.4 % of the cases responded to addition of SGLT2 inhibitors during a mean follow-up period of 6 months. The fasting plasma glucose (FBS) was reduced by -63.65 ± 19.93 mg/dl to a mean FBS of 134.57 ± 33.65 mg/dl (P=0.001). The post prandial plasma glucose (PPBS) was reduced by -79.28 ± 23.57 mg/dl to a mean PPBS of 184.94 ± 38.34 mg/dl (P=0.001). The mean HbA1c reduced significantly by -1.63 ± 0.99 % (P= 0.001). The mean weight reduction at 6 months of therapy was -3.03± 01.84 kg that is 3.8 % decrease from baseline (p=0.001).The response in age group < 55 years was 90.9 %, whereas in ≥55 years, it was 82.2% (p=0.001). The males responded more (91.0%) compared to females (82.5%) (p=0.001). Those with BMI < 23.5 kg/ m2 had marginally higher but insignificant response of 93.0% as compared to 87.1% in patients with high a BMI (≥23.5 kg/m2) (p=0.253). Patients with < 5years duration of diabetes responded better (91.8%) as compared to patients with a ≥ 5 years of diabetes (85.4%). CONCLUSION: SGLT2 inhibitors are effective in achieving desired glycemic goals even when used as a fifth add-on drug along with strict lifestyle modification in patients with inadequate glycemic control despite receiving an optimum dose of at least 4 oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). SGLT2 inhibitors can be effectively used at any stage of diabetes.