The Association of Metformin Doses and Length of Treatment with Glycemic Control and Serum Insulin Levels in Iraqi Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Numerous variables, including age, gender, physical inactivity, inadequate dose, noncompliance, and drug-drug interactions, may lead to substantial intraindividual variability in metformin (Met) response. This study aimed to determine how dosages and duration of metformin affected glycemic control and insulin levels in Iraqi patients with T2DM. A total of 153 T2DM patients with a disease duration of more than one year participated in a cross-sectional study at the Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Baghdad from October 2021 to March 2022. As part of the study method, the patients were evaluated clinically and physically, and their body weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose (FSG), insulin, creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated. After data correction for Met doses and length of treatment, FSG, HbA1c, insulin, creatinine, and CRP levels were not substantially different (P > 0.05) among groups taking different doses of Met for different periods. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, there was no significant relationship between Met doses and treatment duration and glycemic control or insulin levels. In conclusion, Met dose and treatment duration were not significantly correlated to glycemic control or serum insulin levels, which could be attributed to other factors.