The Glucose Lowering In Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia Trial (GLINT) - Glucose lowering in those at risk of diabetes

ISRCTN ISRCTN34875079
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN34875079
EudraCT/CTIS number 2012-005570-56
Secondary identifying numbers HTA 09/01/48, R121127/147
Submission date
13/12/2012
Registration date
18/12/2012
Last edited
16/12/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), heart attack and stroke are the most common long term condition in the UK, and is associated with significant disability and premature death. Currently most people become aware that they have CVD when they experience a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, finding and treating people at high risk before they have an event is an important strategy. Elevated blood glucose levels define diabetes. However, even in people without diabetes, higher than desirable glucose levels are associated with increased CVD risk. We know that early intensive treatment of blood glucose with a well-established, safe and cheap tablet (metformin) is effective at reducing CVD in people with diabetes, and may also reduce cancer risk. Metformin can also delay the onset of diabetes among the larger numbers of people with high glucose levels who do not have diabetes. However, it is unknown whether metformin can prevent CVD in this group. This study will address this critical issue.

Who can participate?
Initially this study (GLINT) aims to recruit 250 individuals aged 40 years or over for a pilot (initial study) and feasibility trial. These individuals will be from a multi-ethnic population who are at high CVD risk and have high blood glucose levels (Non-Diabetic Hyperglycaemia - NDH) but not diabetes. The pilot will allow us to address uncertainties about feasibility and acceptability prior to continuing into the larger main trial including 12,834 people. Individuals from different regions of the UK will be invited to take part via the national NHS Health Checks programme, existing registers of research participants and directly via their general practitioner (GP).

What does the study involve?
Following informed consent and a baseline health check, participants will be allocated by chance to receive metformin or a placebo tablet. The effect of metformin on CVD, cancer, and health status will be checked via medical records.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Metformin is associated with substantial beneficial effects on CVD risk factors and risk of diabetes. Common side effects include gastrointestinal (GI) upset (stomach upset) and diarrhea.

Where is the study run from?
MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge with collaborating sites at the Universities of Oxford and Leicester (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
GLINT is anticipated to start in April 2013 and will continue until June 2016 (for the feasibility) and December 2024 for the full trial

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research – Health Technology Assessment Programme

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Simon Griffin
ProfGP@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Simon Griffin
Scientific

Medical Research Council - Epidemiology Unit
Institute of Metabolic Science
Box 285
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designMulti-centre randomised double-blind parallel group primary prevention trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)GP practice
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please contact glint@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleGlucose Lowering In Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia Trial (GLINT) - a randomised controlled trial to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of metformin in preventing cardiovascular events in people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia at high risk over five years
Study acronymGLINT
Study hypothesisMetformin is superior to placebo with regard to the risk of developing a confirmed event in the primary CVD composite endpoint.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 28/01/2014, NRES Committee East of England - Cambridge South (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place , Nottingham , NG1 6FS, United Kingdom; +44 115 8839437; nrescommittee.eastofengland-cambridgesouth@nhs.net), ref: 13/EE/0415
ConditionMetabolic, Cardiovascular, Cancer, Type 2 diabetes.
InterventionSlow-release metformin (Glucophage®) 1500mg (3 x 500mg tablet/day) or Placebo (3 x 500mg tablet/day).

Participants will receive study medication until a median of five years of follow-up has been reached. Provision of study medication will not be continued beyond the trial period. After the study ends, participants should follow up with their usual care physician to determine appropriate future treatment.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)Effectiveness
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Metformin
Primary outcome measureTime to first confirmed event in the primary composite macrovascular endpoint (cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke)
Secondary outcome measures1. Time to event for each of the components of the primary composite endpoint (e.g. cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke)
2. All-cause mortality (supplied by Office of National Statistics)
3. Time to first non-melanoma cancer (supplied by the National Cancer Registry)
4. Death due to a non-melanoma cancer cause according to primary/underlying cause of death on death certificate (supplied by the Office of National Statistics)
5. Incident diabetes (physician diagnosed)
6. Patient satisfaction with treatment (adapted DTSQ)
7. Functional status (SF-8)
8. Health utility (EuroQol EQ-5D)
Overall study start date01/04/2013
Overall study end date01/12/2024

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit40 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants250 individuals for the feasibility study (April 2013 - June 2015); 12,834 individuals for the full trial (July 2015 - December 2024)
Total final enrolment249
Participant inclusion criteriaParticipants must meet all of the following criteria to participate in the study:
1. Men and women with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (HbA1c equal to or greater than 5.5% but <6.5% within 6 months prior to enrolment), aged 40 years or older
2. Estimated 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk equal to or greater than 20% (Framingham / QRISK2)
3. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >45ml/min as determined by the MDRD-4 method and measured within 6 months prior to enrolment
4. Participant understands the study procedures, alternative treatments available, and the risks involved with the study, and voluntarily agrees to participate by providing written informed consent
5. Participant agrees to allow study staff to contact his or her General Practitioner and/or consultant to notify them of study participation and to obtain all medical records necessary for complete data ascertainment during the follow-up period.
Participant exclusion criteriaThe participant may not enter the study if ANY of the following apply:
1. Prior history of physician-diagnosed diabetes.
Note: Participants with a history of gestational diabetes which resolved after pregnancy are permitted to enrol.
2. Prior history of CVD, defined as:
2.1. Myocardial infarction, surgical or percutaneous coronary revascularisation procedure
2.2. Stroke (haemorrhagic or ischemic)
Note: Participants with prior transient ischemic attack or unstable angina are NOT excluded and may be enrolled
3. Participant has a planned or anticipated revascularisation procedure within 6 months following enrolment
Note: Participants with previous peripheral revascularisation procedure are NOT excluded and may be enrolled
4. Participant is pregnant
5. History of cirrhosis of the liver or other significant hepatic impairment, as assessed by medical history
6. End-stage renal disease
7. In the investigators opinion, participant has a medical history that indicates a life expectancy of <2 years or might limit the individual's ability to take the trial treatments for the duration of the study
8. Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participant at risk because of participation in the study, or may influence the result of the study, or the participant's ability to participate in the study.
9. Participant is enroled in or has participated within 12 weeks prior to enrolment in another experimental protocol involving the use of an investigational drug or device or an intervention that would interfere with the conduct of the trial.
Recruitment start date01/02/2015
Recruitment end date01/11/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

MRC Epidemiology Unit
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Leicester Diabetes Centre
University of Leicester
LE5 4PW
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Stephen Kelleher
Box 277
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
England
United Kingdom

Email R&Denquiries@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Website http://www.cuh.org.uk/research-and-development
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04v54gj93

Funders

Funder type

Government

Health Technology Assessment Programme (grant code: 09/01/48)
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, HTA
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/04/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in non-publicly available repository, Available on request
Publication and dissemination planTo be confirmed at a later date
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be available upon request from University of Cambridge

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/04/2018 Yes No

Editorial Notes

16/12/2024: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The ethics approval was added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
3. The participant level data sharing statement was added.
16/04/2018: Publication reference added.
22/03/2016: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The target number of participants was changed from '500 individuals for the feasibility study (April 2013 - June 2015); 11,834 individuals for the full trial (July 2015 - December 2024)' to '250 individuals for the feasibility study (April 2013 - June 2015); 12,834 individuals for the full trial (July 2015 - December 2024)'
2. The sponsor was changed from Medical Research Council (MRC) (UK) to Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge