Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
double-blinded, randomized crossover trial.
Participants
12 CF patients with IGT
Interventions
During a 2-week inpatient period for treatment of Pseudomonas infection each patient received acarbose (50 mg t.i.d.) for 5 days and placebo for 5 days (days 3-8 and days 10-14, respectively).
Outcome measures
Glucose, insulin and C-peptide responses to a standardized nutritional load were measured at baseline and at the end of each study period (Days 2, 8 and 14).
Main results
Treatment with acarbose was associated with significant reductions in the mean value, mean peak values and the area under the curve of plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide, compared to respective baseline values and placebo. Gastro-intestinal disturbances were recorded in 67% of patients during therapy with acarbose
Authors' conclusions
Acarbose has a positive therapeutic effect on glucose tolerance in cystic fibrosis patients, as shown by attenuation of postprandial plasma glucose increase and a significant decrease in insulin secretion response. However, acarbose treatment was associated with adverse gastro-intestinal effects that may prevent patients from accepting long-term therapy.