Info-congres. Prevention pharmacologique de la progression de la diminution de la tolerance au glucose vers le diabete de type 2: effets favorables de la metformine et de l'acarbose.

We report the positive results of two large prospective studies of pharmacological prevention of type 2 diabetes presented at the EASD Congress in Glasgow, September 12, 2001. In the "Diabetes Prevention Program", metformin (2 x 850 mg/day), a biguanide compound, reduces the progression from impaired glucose tolerance towards type 2 diabetes by 31% (p < 0.001) while in the "STOP-NIDDM trial", acarbose (3 x 100 mg/day), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, diminished it by 24% (p < 0.002). These results are, however, less marked than those obtained with lifestyle modifications including better dietary habits and increased physical exercise (-58% versus control group, p < 0.001).