β-Cell Function in Youth With Impaired Glucose Tolerance, T2D

No significant difference in the preservation or improvement of β-cell function was observed between insulin glargine and metformin vs metformin alone treatment groups in youth with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), according to the RISE Pediatric Medication Study recently published in Diabetes Care.

The study assessed the β-cell function of 91 pubertal, overweight youths between the ages of 10 and 19 with IGT or type 2 diabetes of <6 months duration. Participants were randomly assigned to either 3 months of insulin glargine followed by 9 months of metformin or 12 months of metformin alone. Researchers used hyperglycemic clamp to assess participants’ β-cell function at baseline, 12 months, and 15 months.

No significant differences in β-cell function were observed between the 2 treatment groups at these assessments, with neither treatment group halting the progressive deterioration of β-cell function. The clamp-measured β-cell function was significantly lower compared with baseline at both 12 (on treatment) and 15 months (3 months off treatment) for both treatment groups.

Comparison of the 2 treatment approaches revealed no significant differences in β-cell function between the groups. This RISE Pediatric Medication Study shows that alternate approaches are still needed to preserve β-cell function in youth with IGT and pediatric type 2 diabetes.

Disclosures: Multiple authors declare affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please refer to reference for a complete list of authors’ disclosures.

Reference 

The RISE Consortium. Impact of insulin and metformin versus metformin alone on β-cell function in youth with impaired glucose tolerance or recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes [published online June 25, 2018]. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc18-0787