Effects of metformin combined with glimepiride or dapagliflozin on islet function and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

  Objective  To observe the effects of metformin combined therapies on islet function and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  Methods  A total of 122 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected and divided into control group and observation group by random number table method, with 61 cases in each group. The control group was treated with metformin combined with glimepiride. The observation group received metformin combined with dapagliflozin for treatment. Blood glucose indexesfasting blood glucose (FBG), 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2 hPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc), fastening insulin (FINS), islet function indexes insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), islet β-cell function index (HOMA-β), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), blood lipid indexes total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level and quality of life score psychological related quality of life (MCS) score and physiological related quality of life (PCS) score were compared.

  Results  Before treatment, there were no significant differences in blood glucose indexes, islet function indexes, blood lipid level and quality of life score between two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of FBG, 2 hPG, HBALC, FINS, TC, TG, LDL-Cand HOMA-IR in two groups were significantly lower than before treatment, while the levels of HDL-C, HOMA-β, ISI, MCS and PCS were significantly higher than before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of FBG, 2 hPG, HBALC, FINS, TC, TG, LDL-C and HOMA-IR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the levels of HDL-C, HOMA-β, ISI, MCS and PCS scores were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Metformin combined with glimepiride or dapagliflozin can effectively control patients′ blood glucose levels, improve patients′ blood lipid levels and pancreatic islet function. Among them, metformin combined with dapagliflozin has a relatively better therapeutic effect and safety. Besides, it can regulate the blood glucose, avoid the occurrence of hypoglycemia and improve patients′ quality of life.