Effects of metformin on fibrinogen levels in obese patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective. To determine fibrinogen levels in obese patients with type 2 dia betes and assess its changes with the use of metformin. Methods. 60 obese p atients (BMI > 27) with type 2 diabetes were studied in an open, two phase, prospective, randomized and comparative study. The pre-treatment phase was a period of four weeks of a controlled diet. In the treatment phase they w ere divided in two subgroups of 30. One received metformin as a daily singl e tablet of 850 mg and increasing the dosage to two or three tablets depend ing on their metabolic control. The second subgroup received 24 units of DN A-recombinant insulin subcutaneously (two thirds of dose before breakfast, and the remaining third before dinner). The insulin dosage was adjusted acc ording to the metabolic response. A control group was formed by 60 non diab etic obese patients with only the controlled diet. Results. The mean values of plasma glucose, fibrinogen levels and body mass index did not change in the pretreatment phase in controls and diabetics. These parameters decreas ed significantly in the metformin subgroup in the treatment phase (p < 0.00 1). Only glucose decreased in the insulin subgroup. There were no changes i n the controls. Conclusions. In addition to improving metabolic control, me tformin showed to be a good therapeutic alternative in modifying fibrinogen levels in type 2 diabetic patients.