Long-term Effects of Voglibose on Diabetic Complications in Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative study investigated α-glycosidase inhibitor voglibose efficacy in preventing diabetic complication onset or progression-diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy-in 573 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with dietary and exercise and sulfonylurea if necessary-voglibose group n=279 and placebo group n=280. Voglibose group subjects took a 0.2 mg tablet three times daily for 8 weeks, then a 0.3 mg tablet three times daily for 136 more weeks (144 weeks total) . Statistically significant improvement on postprandial blood glucose, HbA_1C, and fasting blood glucose by voglibose was seen over placebo (p<0.05 or p<0.01) . No statistically significant improvement in the diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy onset or progression by voglibose was seen (p=0.968) . No safety issues arose. One plausible reason why sustained improved long-term glycemic control did not significantly affect diabetic complication progression is that more time is needed to evaluate such effects.