Glycaemic & Cardiovascular Treatment Outcomes of Voglibose Vs Glibenclamide Added to Metformin in T2DM Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare blood-sugar control and blood circulatory system risk-position in type 2 diabetes patients on voglibose versus those on glybenclamide when the two drugs are added to metformin because metformin alone is not controlling the blood-sugar well. The results of this trial will help in improving the health and treatment results of the type 2 diabetic patients.

The main question the trial aims to answer is whether there is a difference in blood-sugar and blood circulatory system treatment results between voglibose + metformin and glibenclamide + metformin treatment combinations.

Participants that agree to participate in the trial will be asked to provide a sample of blood so that the following measurable laboratory factors will be used to compare any differences in treatment results between the two treatment groups from the beginning to the end of the trial:

* Total Cholesterol (TC),
* Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL-c),
* High Density Lipoproteins (HDL-c),
* Fasting Triglycerides (FTG),
* Fasting blood sugar (FBS),
* Post prandial blood sugar (PPBG),
* Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) correlated to hemoglobin level,
* creatinine,
* blood urea and
* electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-).

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is an increasingly important risk factor for CVD. Individuals with it continually have an increased risk of CV caused mortality. It can be classified as T1DM, T2DM, GDM and others. Metformin is a T2DM 1st line Oral Hypoglycaemic Agent (OHA). It usually requires a 2nd line add-on drug if blood glucose control is not on target. The add-on drug can either be insulin, an injectable incretin mimetic, or an OHA. The choice of the OHA should be considered with regard to improving the glycaemic control as well as reducing the CVD risk. Glibenclamide, a Sulphonylurea (SU), is a commonly used OHA in Zambia. It is associated with hypoglycaemia and arrhythmias. On the other hand voglibose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor (AGI), is not associated with hypoglycaemia or with negative CV events. AGIs are associated with reduced PPBG by reducing the absorption of glucose in the GI tract after a carbohydrate meal. Reduced PPBG prevents macrovascular complications. Since maize (a carbohydrate) is a staple food in Zambia, there is need to investigate the glycaemic control in patients with T2DM using voglibose which is as affordable as glibenclamide.

MAIN AIM: To investigate the extent of glycaemic control and CV risk parameter effects of voglibose versus glibenclamide add-on therapies in Zambian patients with T2DM as we do not have published studies on these parameters in our patients.

METHOD: This study will be a 12 weeks dual-center open-label randomised clinical trial to comparatively evaluate the glycaemic and CV treatment outcomes of voglibose vs glibenclamide add-on therapies in native Zambian patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on 1g/day of metformin monotherapy. In this study, glycaemic and CV parameters will be quantified and classified in the laboratory to determine extent of glycaemic control and CVD risk reduction. Participants to be included will be male and female native Zambian patients aged 22 to 59 years on metformin monotherapy for at least 12 weeks with HbA1c \> 7.0%. They will be randomly allocated by study team members to two treatment arms i.e., the voglibose-metformin or the glibenclamide-metformin regimen in a 1:1 computer generated simple randomisation. The participants will then be followed up to the 6th and 12th week for data collection prior to comparative analysis of the expected outcome.

EXPECTED OUTCOME: Change in glycaemic and CV parameters in the two groups after 6 and 12 weeks of add-on therapy.

SIGNIFICANCE: To help determine the glycaemic and CV risk status of patients with T2DM on voglibose and glibenclamide, thereby ascertain improvement in their healthcare and treatment outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

  * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form.
  * Stated willingness to comply with all study1 procedures and availability for the durtion of the study.
  * Male or female, aged 22-59 years.
  * In good general health as evidenced by medical history, diagnosed with T2DM and on tolerated dose of at least 2g/day of metformin monotherapy.
  * Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the medication regimen through out the study period.
  * For females of reproductive potential use of highly effective contraception.
  * Native-Zambian participants
  * Must be on metformin monotherapy for 12 weeks or longer.
  * Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) must be \>7.0% within 12 weeks before screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

* An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

  * Hypersensitivity or contraindication to AGIs
  * Hypersensitivity or contraindication to SUs
  * Type 2 diabetes patients with pregnancy or lactation
  * Patients with acute complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, or hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state at the time of screening
  * Patients with established cardiovascular disease, e.g.; HF, coronary artery disease
  * Patients with altered haemoglobin levels, e.g.; in conditions like anaemias and haemoglobimopathies such as thalassemia
  * Patients on concomitant corticosteroid therapy.