Improving Type 2 Diabetes Care with Extended-Release Metformin: Real-Life Insights from a Physician Educational Program

Laura Molteni; Giuseppe Marelli; Giona Castagna; Luciano Brambilla; Maurizio Acerbis; Fabio Alberghina; Antonio Carpani; Erika Chiavenna; Maria Grazia Ferlini; Carmen Impellizzeri; Roberto Paredi; Alberto Rigamonti; Giuseppe Rivolta; Olga Eugenia Disoteo

doi:10.2174/0118715303294909240221102552

Improving Type 2 Diabetes Care with Extended-Release Metformin: Real-Life Insights from a Physician Educational Program

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2024 Feb 28. doi: 10.2174/0118715303294909240221102552. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Diabetology, Endocrinology and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases, Sacra Famiglia Hospital, Erba, Italy.
² University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
³ General Practitioner, Insubria Hospital, Erba District, Como, Italy.
⁴ Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Sant'Anna Hospital - ASST Lariana, Como, Italy.

PMID: 38425116
DOI: 10.2174/0118715303294909240221102552

Abstract

Background: Compared to Immediate-Release (IR) metformin, Extended-Release (ER) metformin reduces side effects and pill burden while improving adherence; however, there is little real-life data on patient satisfaction with this innovative formulation to guide physicians toward a more holistic approach.

Objective: Our goal is to train general practitioners on holistic patient management, with the aim of increasing patient satisfaction and treatment adherence, reducing side effects, and improving quality of life in patients with poor tolerance to metformin-IR.

Design and methods: We designed an educational program for physicians called SlowDiab, aimed at establishing a holistic patient approach. In this context, adult patients with T2DM who experienced gastrointestinal discomfort with metformin-IR were enrolled and switched to metformin- ER. Data on glycemic control were collected at baseline and 2 months after switching. A survey was carried out on patients to assess their level of satisfaction.

Results: In 69 enrolled patients (mean [min-max] age, 68.2 [41-90]), side effects decreased after switching from 61.8% to 16.2% (p < 0.01), and the mean perceived burden of adverse events on a scale of 1 to 10 also decreased (6.17 vs. 3.82; p < 0.05). Among patients previously intolerant to metformin-IR, 74.3% reported no longer experiencing any side effects after the switch. The mean number of tablets taken daily (2.28 vs. 1.66; p < 0.01) and mean plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values (7.0% vs. 6.7%; p < 0.05) decreased, while 93.8% of patients were satisfied with the treatment change. Moreover, 84.2% reported an improvement in glycemic control after the switch.

Conclusion: In a real-life setting, an educational program for general practitioners confirmed that metformin ER reduces side effects and improves pill burden, therapeutic adherence, and patient satisfaction compared to metformin IR.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; adherence; extended-release metformin; glycated hemoglobin; satisfaction; side effects.; tolerability.