A Retrospective Analysis of Lobeglitazone as an Add-On to Existing Glucose-Lowering Therapy in Indian Adults with Suboptimally Controlled Type 2 Diabetes for Its Clinical Effectiveness: A Real-World Clinical Experience

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lobeglitazone as an add-on therapy in suboptimally controlled Indian type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients in a real-world clinical setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in suboptimally controlled T2D patients while being treated with lobeglitazone once daily (0.5 mg) as an add-on to existing glucose-lowering agents in various clinics in eastern India. RESULTS: The patients’ average body weight was 80.78 ± 9.36 kg, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.86 ± 4.16 kg/m2. The addition of lobeglitazone 0.5 mg to existing therapy over 12 weeks resulted in a statistically significant HbA1c reduction (–1.1 ± 0.72, p < 0.005). Among all 4 groups, similar glycemic declines were observed with no major intergroup variation (p = 0.074). Also, there was a statistically significant mean drop in both postprandial plasma glucose (–71.47 ± 26.73, p < 0.005) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (–47.11 ± 21.45, p < 0.005). It was found that a patient’s BMI was significantly linked to their likelihood of meeting their recommended target HbA1c (57.3% in BMI 25–30 vs. 34% in BMI > 30, p = 0.0233) and target FPG (59% in BMI 25–30 vs. 45.3% in BMI > 30, p = 0.0112). Among the total population, 35 (9.61%) patients reported hypoglycemia, and no one required medical assistance. CONCLUSIONS: In suboptimally controlled diabetes patients, in combination with one or more commonly prescribed antidiabetic drugs, lobeglitazone significantly improved the glycemic and non-glycemic measures and was well tolerated.