Diabetes trial to help 3M Filipinos
Some three million Filipinos afflicted with type 2 diabetes can now look forward to potentially preventing complications of the disease through better blood sugar control as seen through positive results released by ADOPT (A Diabetes Outcome Progression Trial), an international study designed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of monotherapy (treatment through the use of a single drug) against type 2 diabetes.
The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and presented at the recently concluded 19th World Diabetes Congress of the International Diabetes Federation held in South Africa, demonstrated that initial treatment with rosiglitazone maleate reduced the risk of monotherapy failure in people with type 2 diabetes by as much as 32 percent compared to metformin, and 63 percent compared to glyburide (a sulfonylurea available as glibenclamide locally) at five years.
This means that the progressive loss of blood sugar control can be delayed and desired blood sugar levels can be maintained for a longer period through rosiglitazone maleate therapy.1 The study involved 4,360 people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease that occurs when the body fails to effectively respond to insulin.
ADOPT showed that rosiglitazone maleate significantly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced the rate of loss of ß-cell function.1 With this study, Filipino diabetes patients now have an option to replace older therapies like metformin and sulfonylurea with rosiglitazone maleate.
“This is definitely good news for Filipino type 2 diabetes patients. The value of early detection and aggressive management cannot be over-emphasized as complications of diabetes can be prevented. ADOPT results tell us there is now a better way to achieve this,” said Dr. Joven Q. Tanchuco, VP for medical and regulatory affairs of GlaxoSmithKline.
According to Dr. Tanchuco, the Philippines ranks 9th globally with the highest number of projected diabetes cases by 2030. He cited the National Nutrition and Health Survey that shows Filipinos with ages 50 to 59 having the highest rate of diabetes, so screening for people in this age bracket therefore has to be encouraged. “To delay the onset of diabetic complications, adequate screening and early treatment are necessary. At this time, our understanding of the disease tells us that treatment should aim to improve insulin sensitivity and preserve beta cell function. Both are achievable with rosiglitazone maleate and its benefit over metformin and sulfonylurea was demonstrated in ADOPT,” Dr. Tanchuco concluded.
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