CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF METFORMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF TYPE-2 DIABETES-MELLITUS - EFFECT ON INSULIN-RESISTANCE, DIABETES CONTROL, AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS

In this review article recently published controlled clinical studies of metformin treatment in type-2 diabetic patients are summarized. Several studies demonstrate that body weight decreases and insulin resistance improves - as evaluated by peripheral glucose utilisation - under metformin treatment. HbA(1c) is lowered by approximately 20% (absolute decrease of HbA(1c): 1.0%-1.5%). Since plasma lipid values and plasminogen-activator-inhibitor (PAI-1) concentrations are also lowered under metformin therapy, it currently represents the treatment of choice for the obese group of type-2 diabetic patients.