Do patients with prediabetes managed with metformin achieve better glycaemic control? A national study using primary care medical records
Authors' conclusion
The higher HbA1c and FBG baseline levels among participants with 'incident' prediabetes managed with metformin improved after 6-12 months of starting pharmacological management, and the effect persisted for up to 24 months. Management with metformin could prevent further deterioration of glycaemic levels.
Study context
- Population
- Regular participants (3+ visits in two consecutive years) with incident prediabetes (newly recorded diagnosis 2012–2017) attending 383 Australian general practices10.2% on metformin
- Participants
- 4,770 participants
- Exposure
- Metformin management vs unexposed
- Outcome
- Average treatment effect (ATE) of metformin on glycaemic parameters (HbA1c or FBG)
- Follow-up
- 6-, 12-, and 18-24 months post diagnosis or post-management with metformin
Methodological detailselectronic health records, 383 Australian general practices (MedicineInsight), linear regression and augmented inverse probability weighting
- Electronic health records
- 383 Australian general practices (MedicineInsight)
- Linear regression and augmented inverse probability weighting
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HbA1c
Average treatment effect (ATE)
0.0 mmol/mol
95% CI −0.4 to 0.7
6-12 months; no difference
ATE
−0.3 mmol/mol
95% CI −1.2 to 0.3
12-18 months; no difference
ATE
−1.1 mmol/mol
95% CI −2.0 to 0.1
18-24 months; lower mean HbA1c with Metformin
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Metformin | Unexposed | ATE (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HbA1c at baseline | mean 45 mmol/mol [6.2%] | mean 41 mmol/mol [5.9%] | |
| FBG6-12 months | −0.14 (−0.25 to −0.04) | ||
| FBG12-18 months | 0.02 (−0.08 to 0.13) | ||
| FBG18-24 months | −0.07 (−0.25 to 0.12) |
Original publication
Do patients with prediabetes managed with metformin achieve better glycaemic control? A national study using primary care medical records. Diabet Med. Published 8 July 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →