Glycemic and lipid control of patients with type 2 diabetes in combined treatment of metformin and insulin

Abstract

This transverse study was undertaken to assess serum lipoprotein cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglyceride levels of 105 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in insulin use belonging to a health care area of the Family Health Program (FHP). It had as objective to identify possible variations in those parameters when metformin is associated to the treatment. Thirty-three of those patients were excluded by presenting inclinations. Of the remaining, 44 subjects were on combination therapy of metformin and insulin – these indicated serum levels of HbA1c and triglycerides significantly lower than the control group in treatment with insulin alone (n=28); statistical differences were not observed regarding high-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels. The research appeared that, due to free readiness of metformin for the population, combined therapy should be used as first choice in public health.