Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, ISSN 1918-3003 print, 1918-3011 online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Clin Med Res and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.jocmr.org

Short Communication

Volume 9, Number 8, August 2017, pages 719-724


Effect of Switching From an Anti-Diabetic Loose Dose Combination to a Fixed Dose Combination Regimen at Equivalent Dosage for 6 Months on Glycemic Control in Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Study design. Thirty-eight Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who were taking anti-diabetic drugs including LDC such as pioglitazone + metformin, pioglitazone + alogliptin, or pioglitazone + glimepiride were enrolled. These drugs were switched to an FDC of Metact®, Liobel® or Sonias®, respectively, at equivalent dosage. No patients in the study took mitiglinide + voglibose, which can be switched to Glubes®. HbA1c and body weight were measured 0, 2, 4 and 6 months after switching from an LDC to FDC. We also conducted a questionnaire survey 2 months after the start of the FDC regimen.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Changes in HbA1c and body weight after switching from an LDC to FDC. (a) HbA1c levels of all patients. (b) Body weight of all patients. (c) HbA1c levels of patients taking Metact® (FDC of pioglitazone and metformin, n = 7) or Liobel® (FDC of pioglitazone and alogliptin, n = 30).
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Changes in HbA1c after switching from an LDC to FDC. (a) HbA1c levels of patients taking more than eight tablets (n = 17) or less than eight tablets (n = 21) in total. (b) HbA1c levels of patients taking more than five anti-diabetic tablets (n = 16) or less than five anti-diabetic tablets (n = 22). *P < 0.05 vs. 0 months in each group.

Table

Table 1. Questionnaire Survey
 
Q1: How do you feel about the decrease in the number of drugs?
AnswerVery goodGoodNot changedNot goodBad
n (%)7 (22.6)16 (51.6)8 (25.8)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Q2: Has the number of medicine doses you have forgotten decreased?
AnswerDecreasedDecreased a littleNot changedIncreased a littleIncreased
n (%)13 (41.9)4 (12.9)14 (45.2)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Q3: How much of a benefit have you experienced in decreasing drug costs?
AnswerSignificant benefitModest benefitAlmost no benefitNo benefit or unchanged
n (%)1 (3.2)11 (35.5)7 (22.6)12(38.7)
Q4: Do you feel there has been a change in your glycemic control?
AnswerImprovedImproved slightlyNot changedWorsen slightlyWorsen
n (%)6 (19.4)7 (22.6)17 (54.8)1 (3.2)0 (0.0)
Q5: Which do you prefer to take: FDC or LDC?
AnswerLDCFDCEither
n (%)1 (3.2)17 (54.8)13 (41.9)