Using two drugs in combination at the start of drug treatment for type 2 diabetes vs using a single drug

ISRCTN ISRCTN26805203
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN26805203
Secondary identifying numbers U1111-1196-4371
Submission date
10/05/2017
Registration date
11/05/2017
Last edited
11/05/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a long term condition where a person is unable to control their blood sugar (glucose) levels as they do not produce enough insulin to function properly (insulin deficiency), or that the body’s cells don’t react to insulin as they should do (insulin resistance). According to the 2015 Internation Diabetes Federation estimates, there are 35.4 Million people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region with an estimated rise to up to 72.1 million by 2040. Diabetes-related deaths stand at a staggering 342,000 during 2015, with over half of all deaths from diabetes in the region occurring in people under 60. A major issue that is dealt with by diabetologists, especially with patients with a rural background, is poor compliance with medication and dietary advice. Furthermore, the characteristics of the diabetic Asian population are unique, in the sense that as compared to western counterparts, Asians tend to have lower BMIs, a younger onset of type 2 diabetes, a high carbohydrate diet, high blood sugar levels after meals, and a more marked problem with insulin production. Standard treatment for T2DM involves treatment with a drug called metformin. DPP4 inhibitor is another drug which helps the body to produce more insulin. The aim of this study is to assess blood sugar control in newly diabetic patients treated wit DPP4 inhibitor and metformin to treatment with metformin alone.

Who can participate?
Adults who have been newly diagnosed with T2DM.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to receive either a single initial drug (as current guidelines recommend), or a combination of two drugs (in a single pill). They are then monitored at intervals of three months, as is the standard procedure for people with type 2 diabetes, and blood tests are performed at the regular intervals to assess their blood sugar control. If, at any of their scheduled visits, it was found that their diabetes control was not up to standard, an additional drug is added after thorough patient education. Visits thereafter are at the scheduled three month intervals, or earlier if the patient desires. A line of communication always remains open, allowing the patients direct access to their doctors. Participants attend regular clinic appointments over a period of five years to assess how well they are managing their diabetes.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The direct benefits were availability of the drugs with no cost to the patient, scheduled visits with consultants, and direct access to a doctor if and when desired by the patient. Since no new drugs are being tested, and the treatment being used is well established, there were no unforseen risks to the participants other than those normally encountered by diabetics taking regular medication.

Where is the study run from?
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pakistan)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2009 to July 2016

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded (Pakistan)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Mohammad Ali Arif (public)
2. Professor Rauf Niazi (scientific)

Contact information

Dr Mohammad Ali Arif
Public

Shifa International Hospital G10
SIH, 3rd Road, sector G-10/4
Islamabad
-
Pakistan

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-6762-6687
Prof Rauf Niazi
Scientific

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
Main Ibn-e-sina road
Sector G-8/3
Islamabad
-
Pakistan

Study information

Study designOpen labelled prospective randomised clinical trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleIntensified treatment at the onset of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in drug naive patients in the asian population
Study acronymINTRON
Study objectivesThe use of initial combination therapy with a DPP4 inhibitor plus metformin is superior to metformin monotherapy with sequential add on treatment in achieving and maintaining an HbA1c of <7%.
Ethics approval(s)Ethics Committee of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences,19/01/2010, ref: EC/PIMS-2010/0119-03-Intron
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedType 2 diabetes mellitus
InterventionParticipants are randomised to one of six groups using covariate adaptive randomization.

1. MHD2 Group: Metformin 1000mg twice daily
2. MHD255 Group: Metformin 850mg thrice daily
3. SMHD Group: (Sitagliptin 50mg plus metformin 1000mg) twice daily
4. SMLD Group: (Sitagliptin 50mg plus Metformin 500mg) twice daily
5. VMHD Group: (Vildagliptin 50mg plus Metformin 1000mg) twice daily
6. VMLD Group: (Vildagliptin 50mg plus Metformin 500mg) twice daily

After the first visit, patients are evaluated at week two followed by an interval thereafter of 12 weeks up to 5 years. A complete physical examination was conducted at baseline, along with anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and baseline laboratory parameters (serum creatinine, ALT and fasting lipid profile). Vital signs, fasting and random blood glucose and lab investigations are repeated at each visit along with documentation of any adverse effects (AE).

Patients are instructed regarding the use of home blood glucose monitoring along with once weekly documentation of fasting plasma glucose (after a 12 hour fast) and random plasma glucose prior to the evening meal. SMBG (self-monitoring of blood glucose) could be performed at any point in time if the patient experiences symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureGlycated Haemoglobin is measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 18 months, 2, 3, and 5 years using a standardized laboratory assay for HbA1c. The reduction in HbA1c is calculated by subtracting the former measurements from the latter.
Secondary outcome measures1. Percentage of patients achieving and maintaining the target HbA1c of <7% is assessed from the documented HbA1c measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 18 months, 2, 3, and 5 years
2. Need for additional therapy is assessed by the treating physician based on the laboratory parameters highlighted above and was documented on the patients file along with the choice of the add on agent at any point within the study period
3. Hypoglycaemia, if suspected, is checked by the patient using a glucometer and the recording reading was documented in mg/dL at any point within the study period
4. Weight is measured using a digital weighing scale at the clinic at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 18 months, 2, 3, and 5 years
Overall study start date25/06/2009
Completion date06/07/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants285
Key inclusion criteria1. Newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes
2. Had not receievd any prior medication for diabetes
3. Aged 18 – 80 years
4. Asian ethnicity (Pakistani population)
Key exclusion criteria1. Previous history of ischaemic heart disease
2. Previous history of stroke or other cerebrovascular disease
3. Previous history of chronic kidney disease
Date of first enrolment19/01/2010
Date of final enrolment19/01/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Pakistan

Study participating centre

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
Ibn-e-Sina Rd
Islamabad
44000
Pakistan

Sponsor information

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
Other

PIMS
Main Ibn-e-sina road
Sector G-8/3
Islamabad
-
Pakistan

Website www.szabmu.edu.pk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/0358b9334

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date20/05/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high impact peer reviewed journal, date of anticipated submission 20/05/2017.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from mohammad_ali_arif@hotmail.com or ali.arif@shifa.com.pk