AIM OF THE STUDY

            To evaluate whether the addition of metformin to insulin and standard diabetic management in uncontrolled type 1 diabetic patients will results in lower insulin dosage, lower glycosylated haemoglobin, and fasting glucose.

METHODOLOGY

            In a prospective randomized conrol study 52 patients with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes with no contraindication for metformin therapy who attended diabetic clinic and medicine OP of Medical College, Trivandrum, were divided into 2 groups. One group received the usual insulin regime for the control of DM and the other group received metformin in addition to the insulin treatment. The primary outcome was effective control of fasting and post prandial blood sugar.

RESULTS

            Analysis of all the subjects completing the trial demonsrated significant (P<0.05) improvement in HbA1c of 0.5% in the metformin group. Compared to insulin only group. There was decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin of 1.8 +o 0.68 units in the metformin group. Compared to the insulin in only group and  a decrease 1.382 + 0.741 in the insulin only group.

CONCLUSION

            Thus the present study indicate that metformin when added to insulin in uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus improves insulin sensitivity.