A real-world study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with gliclazide modified-release during fasting: DIA-RAMADAN

Abstract

Aims: To explore the real-world safety and effectiveness of gliclazide modified release (MR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) fasting during Ramadan.

Methods: DIA-RAMADAN (NCT04132934) was a prospective, international, observational study conducted in nine countries. Patients >18 years of age with T2DM (N = 1244) were examined at an inclusion visit (V0) occurring 6-8 weeks before the start of Ramadan. Patients received a diary to report treatment changes, hypoglycaemic events (HEs), and other adverse events. Gliclazide MR was taken once daily for 14-18 weeks. A second visit (V1) was conducted 4-6 weeks after the end of Ramadan. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients reporting ≥1 symptomatic HE. Changes in HbA_1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and body weight were secondary endpoints.

Results: The proportion of patients reporting ≥1 symptomatic HE during Ramadan was low (2.2%) with no reported severe HEs. There was a significant reduction in HbA_1c (-0.3%), FPG (-9.7 mg/dL), body weight (-0.5 kg) and body mass index (-0.2 kg/m²) between V0 and V1 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Patients with T2DM treated with gliclazide MR during Ramadan have a low risk of hypoglycaemia and maintain glycaemic control and weight while fasting.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Diamicron; Fasting; Gliclazide; Ramadan; Type 2.