Objective: To quantify adverse events (AEs) associated with the use of metformin (MET), sulphonylureas (SUs) and thiazolidinediones (TZDs) in a usual care setting, and to assess the relationship of AEs to treatment patterns and glycaemic response in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Research design and methods: An electronic medical record database was used to identify patients with type 2 diabetes age >=18 years from 1996 to 2005. Patients naive to oral antidiabetic therapy were followed for 395 days postinitiation of MET, SU or TZD treatment. AEs related to study drugs were evaluated during the follow-up period. Baseline and follow-up A1C levels were compared by drug regimen. Associations between the change in A1C, drug regimen changes and AEs were evaluated.
Results: A total of 14 512 patients (mean age 60.8 years, 52.9% female) were identified. During the follow-up period, 12.7% of patients experienced an AE (8.6% MET, 15.9% SU and 19.8% TZD patients). SU and TZD patients were more likely to experience an AE than MET (p < or =" 1.37," or =" 1.91;">
Conclusions: The occurrence of AEs did not significantly impact glycaemic response to therapy. However, AEs may lead to greater treatment switches for patients receiving MET and add-on therapy for MET-treated and SU-treated patients.
Copyright (C) 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
