Safety and Efficacy of Fixed Dose Combination of Glimepiride and Metformin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Egypt: A Real-Life Study

Abstract
Background: Previous reports showed a significant im-provement in the glycemic control of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) following the use of Glimepiride/ Metformin Fixed-Dose Combination (G/M FDC), with a reasonable safety profile. In this real-life study on Egyptian population, we aim to investigate the safety and effectiveness of G/M FDC among patients with T2DM.
Subjects and Methods: The present observational, multi-center study included 1211 T2DM patients from Egypt, for whom the investigator decided to prescribe G/M FDC. Patients started G/M FDC at the beginning of the study or one month earlier, and the combination dose was decided by the investi-gators to reflect the in-practice approach. Data were recorded at the initial assessment visit and six months later. Safety outcomes were measured throughout the course of treatment.
Results: At the end of six months follow-up duration, 45.2% of the patients achieved the targeted HbA1c £7% and 79.5% achieved the targeted reduction in HbA1c by ³0.7%. The total percentage of patients who achieved either the targeted HbA1c £7% or reduction in HbA1c ³0.7% were 86.5%, while those who achieved both target HbA1c £7% and reduction in HbA1c ³0.7% constituted 38.3% of the patients. The mean HbA1c level reduced throughout the study period from 8.8±1.3% to 7.3±0.9% at the end sixth month (p<0.001). Hyperglycemia was the most commonly reported adverse events (3.5%), followed by hypoglycemia (1.2%).
Conclusion: The prescription of G/M FDC in treating patients with T2DM in Egypt is effective in achieving the targeted glycemic control with tolerable safety profile.