[Usefulness of miglitol in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and insufficient control of the blood glucose].
OBJECTIVE: Miglitol belongs to the group of the inhibitors of the alpha-glucosidases and in several studies has demonstrated its usefulness in the improvement of the glycemic control in the different types of diabetic patients. The goal of our study was to analyze the usefulness of miglitol in the blood glucose and lipid control in a group of patients with diabetes type 2 treated with sulfonylureas and insulin, with insufficient glycemic control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 33 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 treated with sulfonylureas and insulin and with insufficient glycemic control (HbA1c>7.5%) was studied. All patients were treated with miglitol during 3 months with progressive doses: the first week 50 mg twice a day, subsequently and during one month 50 mg three times a day. At the beginning of the study and up to three months the following variables were measured; weight, height, BMI (body mass index), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, number of episodes of peripheral hypoglycemia, basal glucose, albuminuria, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as transaminases (GOT, GPT, gamma GT and bilirubin). RESULTS: The median age was 64.1 +/- 12.5 years, and the median length of diabetes mellitus was 9.1 +/- 7 years. The median value of BMI was 27.7 +/- 6.9 kg/cm2. The blood glucose and HbA1c values decreased 4.8% and 5.8%, respectively. A decrease in the number of hypoglycemia episodes (39.4% previous quarter versus 3% quarter wih miglitol) was observed. Also decreased the dose of sulfonylureas needed by the patients (86.2 +/- 24.3 mg/day versus 64.6 +/- 21.9 mg/day; p<0.05) (25%). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels were not modified, but indeed a reduction of the levels of triglycerides (145.2 +/- 111 mg/dl versus 133.1 +/- 79 mg/dl; p<0.05) (8.3%) was detected. Fifteen percent of patients showed side effects (digestive discomfort) that disappeared two or three weeks after beginning the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Miglitol is a useful drug in order to improve the glycemic control in diabetic type 2 patients treated previously with other drugs and with insufficient control of the blood glucose. Its side effects are limited and transitory.