Acarbose reduces body weight irrespective of glycemic control in patients with diabetes: Results of a worldwide, non-interventional, observational study data pool

Objective The objective of this study is to examine the effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on body weight in a real-life setting by pooling data from post-marketing surveillance. Methods Data from 10 studies were pooled (n = 67,682) and the effect of acarbose on body weight was analysed taking into account baseline body weight, glycemic parameters and other baseline characteristics. Results The mean relative reduction in body weight was 1.45 ± 3.24% at the 3-month visit (n = 43,510; mean baseline 73.4 kg) and 1.40 ± 3.28% at the last visit (n = 54,760; mean baseline 73.6 kg) (both p < 0.0001). These reductions were dependent on baseline body weight (overweight: -1.33 ± 2.98% [n = 13,498; mean baseline 71.6 kg]; obese: -1.98 ± 3.40% [n = 20,216; mean baseline 81.3 kg]). When analysed by baseline glycemic parameter quartiles, the reduction was independent of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) and postprandial glucose excursion (PPGE). A bivariate analysis of covariance identified female sex, South East Asian and East Asian ethnicity, younger age, higher body mass index, short duration of diabetes, and no previous treatment as factors likely to impact positively on body weight reduction with acarbose. Conclusions This post-hoc analysis showed that acarbose treatment reduces body weight independent of glycemic control status but dependent on baseline body weight.