Study the effect of metformin, voglibose alone and in combination on body mass index in non-diabetic obese Indian subjects- A hospital based study

Abstract

Background: Early detection and therapy of the obese adolescent with a family history of type 2 diabetes may interrupt the cycle of weight gain and insulin resistance that leads to glucose intolerance in adulthood.

Materials & Methods: The objective of our study was to observe the effect of metformin and voglibose on BMI, as it provides a simple and convenient anthropometric index for classification of obesity. 60 non diabetic obese subjects were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and divided into three groups of 20 subjects each. The first group received metformin 500 mg BD, second group received voglibose 0.3 mg and the third group received a combination of metformin 500 mg and voglibose 0.3mg. For the comparison we applied paired and unpaired t test. Paired t test was applied for intra group comparison and unpaired t test was applied for inter group comparison.

Results: After six months of treatment with Metformin 500 mg BD alone, Voglibose 0.3mg BD alone and Metformin 500 mg with Voglibose 0.3 mg BD in combination, all three groups showed statistically significant reduction in BMI values from baseline. When we compared results of metformin group with voglibose group there was no statistically significant difference. But when we compared results of metformin alone with metformin and voglibose combination and voglibose alone with metformin and voglibose combination, the combination group showed statistically significant reduction in BMI base line values. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that Metformin + Voglibose combination is very effective in reducing body weight, but further long term studies with large sample size are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of Metformin+ Voglibose combination in treatment of obesity in non-diabetic population.