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Review
Clinical Diabetes & Therapeutics Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Sang Youl Rhee1, Hyun Jin Kim2, Seung-Hyun Ko3orcid, Kyu-Yeon Hur4, Nan-Hee Kim5, Min Kyong Moon6, Seok-O Park7, Byung-Wan Lee8, Kyung Mook Choi5, Jin Hwa Kim9, Committee of Clinical Practice Guideline of Korean Diabetes Association
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2017;41(5):349-356.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2017.41.5.349
Published online: October 19, 2017
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1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

3Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

4Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

5Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

6Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

7Department of Internal Medicine, Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.

8Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

9Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.

corresp_icon Corresponding author: Seung-Hyun Ko. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 93 Jungbu-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon 16247, Korea. kosh@catholic.ac.kr
*Sang Youl Rhee and Hyun Jin Kim contributed equally to this study as first authors.
• Received: September 8, 2017   • Accepted: September 22, 2017

Copyright © 2017 Korean Diabetes Association

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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  • In order to improve the quality of life and to prevent chronic complications related to diabetes mellitus, intensive lifestyle modification and proper medication are needed from the early stage of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). When using the first medication for diabetic patients, the appropriate treatment should be selected considering the clinical characteristics of the patient, efficacy of the drug, side effects, and cost. In general, the use of metformin as the first treatment for oral hypoglycemic monotherapy is recommended because of its excellent blood glucose-lowering effect, relatively low side effects, long-term proven safety, low risk of hypoglycemia, and low weight gain. If metformin is difficult to use as a first-line treatment, other appropriate medications should be selected in view of the clinical situation. If the goal of achieving glycemic control is not achieved by monotherapy, a combination therapy with different mechanisms of action should be initiated promptly.
Many studies have shown that intensive control of blood glucose can significantly prevent diabetes-related chronic complications [12]. These results are the theoretical basis for explaining the need for active blood glucose management to improve the clinical course of diabetic patients. However, recent studies have reported that overly rigorous blood glucose control may lead to a negative clinical course in patients [345]. Individualized blood glucose control goals that take into account the diverse clinical situations of diabetic patients are required [67].
Lifestyle modification (LSM) is the first treatment for successful diabetes management. The effects of LSM on the clinical course of diabetes have been demonstrated in several studies [89]. However, due to the pathophysiological nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), where β-cell function is gradually diminishing, it is difficult to maintain adequate blood glucose control with LSM alone [10]. Therefore, in many patients, medication should be administered from the beginning of the treatment for proper blood glucose control.
This article was written to provide the rationale for the update of the position statement of the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA), and the contents of oral hypoglycemic agent monotherapy were described.
Principles of initial management after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
1. Active lifestyle modification and appropriate pharmacotherapy are needed from the initial diagnosis of diabetes [A].
2. An appropriate selection of pharmacotherapy should be made after considering the clinical characteristics of the patient and drug efficacy, side effects, mechanism of action, risk of hypoglycemia, effect on body weight, and patient preference and combined comorbidity [E].
Principles of treatment with antihyperglycemic agents
1. Metformin is the preferred initial oral hypoglycemic agent [A].
2. If metformin is contraindicated or not well tolerated as the initial treatment, another class of hypoglycemic agent can be used depending on the clinical situation [E].
3. If monotherapy fails to achieve the glycemic target, combination therapy with a second agent with a different mechanism of action should be initiated [A].
Selection of topics, organization of the working group, and determination of methods
In March 2017, the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) update was discussed at the Committee of Clinical Practice Guideline in the KDA. The committee decided to carry out an amendment in this revision that reflects the new diabetes medications. For this task, the committee formed a working group for revising the relevant content of the CPG. The guidelines were revised based on a systematic review of the newly published literature, along with the other national and international CPG contents. The details of this process are described in detail in other documents [11].
Key question selection
The task of the authors of the current article was evaluating the monotherapy of oral hypoglycemic agents for the working group. We have determined the key questions for revising the CPG according to the results of the discussion within the group. The first question is whether metformin is appropriate as a first-line choice for Korean patients with T2DM. The second question is how to choose the other first-line agent if metformin is not available. Finally, cardiovascular outcome with metformin or other monotherapy was determined to be the third key question.
Literature review
For the purpose of revising the guidelines, various domestic and international guidelines have been referred to. We referred to the KDA guidelines and the Korea National Diabetes Program (KNDP) guidelines as domestic guidelines [1213] and referred to the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology (AACE) as foreign guidelines [1415161718]. References that meet our key questions were adopted. In addition, a systematic review was conducted to obtain the latest evidence. A master database for systematic review was built by professional librarians and delivered to group members. The evidence levels of the articles in the database were evaluated according to individual reviews of the group members. Thereafter, a list of articles was prepared by mutual review and agreement of group members. A final list was established by independent committee members separate from the working group [11].
Drafting, public hearing, and final approval of board of directors
The revised recommendations were circulated and evaluated by members of the committee other than the working group. Based on peer review, a draft CPG update was prepared. In July 2017, an initial draft was released at a public hearing. A final draft of the CPG update was prepared in accordance with the opinions gathered at the hearing. In August 2017, the final manuscript was approved by the Board of Directors, KDA.
Oral hypoglycemia agent as a monotherapy
For patients with T2DM who have not satisfactorily met therapeutic goals with LSM, a first-line oral hypoglycemic monotherapy should be administered. In monotherapy, approximately 0.5% to 1.5% of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction is observed depending on the medication [19]. Although there are some differences depending on the class, the maximal effect of the drug is usually observed 4 to 6 months after treatment [20]. In general, the higher the patient's HbA1c, the greater the extent of HbA1c reduction with medication [19]. Postprandial glucose control becomes more important for further improvement of HbA1c when blood glucose approaches the generally recommended level (less than 7.3% of HbA1c) [21]. Some studies have shown that postprandial glucose is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death regardless of fasting glucose [2223]. However, the evidence for whether postprandial improvement of blood glucose is effective in improving additional cardiovascular disease outcomes is not yet clear.
Metformin as an initial treatment regimen
Metformin is recommended as the drug for initial treatment in most diabetes-related CPGs worldwide [12131415161718]. Metformin is recommended as the first choice for patients with T2DM because of its excellent blood glucose-lowering effect, relatively low adverse effects, long-term safety, low risk of hypoglycemia, and low weight gain. These recommendations are based on a cohort study in which metformin monotherapy in overweight T2DM patients was associated with more marked blood glucose-lowering effects and less weight gain and hypoglycemia compared to sulfonylurea or insulin monotherapy [24]. Potential cardiovascular disease prevention effect is also included in the reason for choosing metformin as the initial treatment [2425]. However, the preventive effect of metformin on cardiovascular disease has yet to be ascertained.
In several subsequent observational studies and meta-analyses, there was evidence that metformin could be the drug of choice for initial treatment of diabetes patients compared to sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor, from the aspects of HbA1c reduction, side effects, weight gain, hypoglycemia, economic feasibility, and cardiovascular disease prevention [26272829]. In a prospective, multicenter clinical trial conducted in Korea, the effect of metformin monotherapy on HbA1c was similar to that of sulfonylurea or thiazolidinedione monotherapy [30]. Based on the above evidence, we also recommend metformin as an initial first-line medication in this CPG.
Clinical situations such as hepatic failure, chronic kidney disease (caution in estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, contraindication in eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), severe infection, dehydration, and heart failure are contraindications of metformin use and it should be used with caution [1417]. Recently, a study suggesting that metformin use may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia was published [31]. Vitamin B12 measurements may be considered for metformin users with peripheral neuropathy or anemia.
Monotherapy using other oral hypoglycemic agents
For patients who are contraindicated for metformin or who experience difficulties with metformin use, monotherapy of other hypoglycemic agents is considered as an initial treatment. Recently, as new drugs have been launched, various oral hypoglycemic agents have become available in clinical practice (Table 1) [11]. These drugs differ not only in their mechanism of action, but also in terms of cardiovascular disease prevention, side effects, contraindications, and price.
The DPP4 inhibitors have been widely used as a substitute for patients who have difficulty in using metformin monotherapy; these inhibitors are used because of their low incidence of side effects such as hypoglycemia. Recently, a meta-analysis has been reported by Korean researchers that suggests the effect of DPP4 inhibitors on Asians may be superior to other ethnicities [32]. The effects of the DPP4 inhibitors on cardiovascular disease have been reported to be neutral according to multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trials performed recently performed trials [333435]. Although some DPP4 inhibitor have been reported to increase the risk of heart failure, systematic reviews have shown that the risk is not significant, and there is a slight difference in the risk of heart failure resulting from the use of DPP4 inhibitors [3637].
The use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors has recently led to a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with diabetes in multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trials, and the frequency of use of these inhibitors is increasing in clinical settings [38394041]. However, due to possible side effects such as urogenital infection, dehydration, and hypotension, caution should be paid to its administration to some individuals such as the elderly and patients with chronic kidney disease [3840]. A recent multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial has reported an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures and limb amputation associated with the use of this medication [41]. Further research on the long-term safety of this drug is needed.
A wide variety of previously used drugs such as sulfonylurea, meglitinide, thiazolidinedione, and α-glucosidase inhibitor can also be used as an effective substitute for metformin after securing various evidence on efficacy and safety when using this monotherapy [29424344]. There is some evidence that thiazolidinedione may reduce the cardiovascular disease risk in patients with T2DM who have a high risk of macrovascular events [4546]. However, attention should be paid to increased edema, anemia, bone fracture, and heart failure risk in patients [46]. α-Glucosidase inhibitor is an effective agent for postprandial glucose control [474849]; however, side effects such as gastrointestinal trouble are frequent, and there is a lack of evidence for cardiovascular outcome [4849]. Sulfonylurea and meglitinide have an excellent blood glucose-lowering effect. However, the cardiovascular benefit is not clear, and there is a risk of hypoglycemia [3050]. Recent studies in Korea have shown that hypoglycemia is closely related to adverse outcomes of patients [51525354]. Care should be taken with the use of drugs that are highly likely to cause hypoglycemia.
Diabetes treatment should be individualized according to the patient's needs and preferences, and drugs should be selected taking into account the specific advantages and disadvantages of each drug [7]. For a reasonable choice of medication, various clinical conditions should be considered including age, HbA1c, fasting and postprandial glucose, obesity or metabolic syndrome, insulin secretory capacity, risk of hypoglycemia, liver, cardiac or renal dysfunction, and patient preference.
Recently, new drugs have been introduced, and various clinical trials related to these drugs have been introduced. Different opinions on the selection of the initial treatment for patients with T2DM have been raised. We have yet to come to a complete conclusion as to which oral hypoglycemic agent should be the first choice for a particular patient, and which medication should be added next. In addition, we have not yet reached a consensus that it is reasonable to choose a particular medication for each of the various clinical situations. However, it is clinically more important to know what drug should control blood glucose, than what goal should blood glucose be controlled [17]. Even if blood glucose and HbA1c levels do not reach the target, the prognosis of the patient can be significantly improved depending on the degree of improvement of these levels [1].
Based on the literature review so far, metformin can be recommended as the first drug in Korean patients with T2DM. Metformin can be recommended from the variety of evidence accumulated to date. If metformin is difficult to use as an initial treatment, appropriate alternatives should be chosen considering the patient's individual circumstances. In addition to conventional drugs with which physicians have long-term experience such as sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, and α-glucosidase inhibitors, newer drugs such as the DPP4 inhibitors and the SGLT2 inhibitors also are indicated for monotherapy. If the goal of achieving glycemic control is not achieved by monotherapy, then combination therapy with different mechanisms of action should be initiated promptly.
Acknowledgements
Financial support for the development of these guidelines was provided by the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) operating budget; there was no support or involvement from industry sources.
This position statement on antihyperglycemic agent therapy was written by the KDA Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines. We gratefully acknowledge the following experts who provided a critical review and discussion of this update: Tae-Nyun Kim, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan; Yong-ho Lee, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul; Jin-Hwa Kim, Chosun University Hospital, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju; Eun-Gyoung Hong, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong; Jaetaek Kim, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul; Won-Young Lee, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul; Bokrye Song, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Ji Young Kim, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul; Dong Hee Yang, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang; Taeyoung Yang, Taeyoung 21 Hospital, Gwangju; and Hyeongjin Kim, Kim HJ Medical Clinic, Paju, Korea.

This manuscript is simultaneously published in the Diabetes Metabolism Journal and the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine by the Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean Association of Internal Medicine.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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Table 1

Oral antihyperglycemic agents for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus used in Korea

dmj-41-349-i001.jpg
Mechanism and common use Weight gain Hypoglycemiaa HbA1c reduction, %a Side effects Caution
Biguanide (metformin) ↓ Hepatic glucose production
Start with lower dose and titrate upward slowly
Neutral or decrease No 1.0–2.0 GI side effects (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping), vitamin B12 deficiency, lactic acidosis (rare) Contraindication in severe hepatic or renal insufficiency (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), severe infection, dehydration, heart failure. Major operation or iodine-contrast use within 48 hours
Sulfonylurea (gliclazide, glipizide, glimepiride, glibenclamide) ↑ Insulin secretion from β-cells Before meal Yes Yes 1.0–2.0 Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, secondary failure
Meglitinide (repaglinide, nateglinide, mitiglinide) ↑ Insulin secretion from β-cells, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia
Before each meal
Yes Yes 0.5–1.5 Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
DPP4 inhibitor (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, gemigliptin, alogliptin, teneligliptin, anagliptin) ↑ Postprandial incretin (GLP-1, GIP), ↑ glucose-dependent insulin secretion, ↓ postprandial glucagon secretion, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia, use regardless of mealtime No No 0.5–1.0 Angioedema, urticaria
Acute pancreatitis
Risk for heart failure (saxagliptin, alogliptin)
Dose titration in severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
Thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone, lobeglitazone) ↑ Insulin sensitivity (muscle, adipose tissue), ↓ hepatic glucose production, once daily regardless of mealtime Yes No 0.5–1.4 Edema, anemia, bone fracture, heart failure Heart failure, severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin, ipragliflozin, empagliflozin) ↓ Renal glucose reabsorption, ↑ glucosuria
Once daily regardless of mealtime
No No 0.5–1.0 Genitourinary tract infections, polyuria, dehydration, DKA Old age, heart failure, hypotension, diuretics use, not for severe CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2)
α-Glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose, voglibose) ↓ Upper intestinal glucose absorption, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia
Before each meal
No No 0.5–1.0 GI side effects (flatulence, diarrhea, bloating) Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, chronic inflammatory bowel disease with malabsorption, severe infection

Adapted Ko et al. [11].

HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; GI, gastrointestinal; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; DPP4, dipeptidyl peptidase 4; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; GIP, gastric inhibitory polypeptide; CKD, chronic kidney disease; SGLT2, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2; DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis.

aMonotherapy.

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      Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
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    Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
    Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
    Mechanism and common useWeight gainHypoglycemiaaHbA1c reduction, %aSide effectsCaution
    Biguanide (metformin)↓ Hepatic glucose production
    Start with lower dose and titrate upward slowly
    Neutral or decreaseNo1.0–2.0GI side effects (anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping), vitamin B12 deficiency, lactic acidosis (rare)Contraindication in severe hepatic or renal insufficiency (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), severe infection, dehydration, heart failure. Major operation or iodine-contrast use within 48 hours
    Sulfonylurea (gliclazide, glipizide, glimepiride, glibenclamide)↑ Insulin secretion from β-cells Before mealYesYes1.0–2.0Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, secondary failure
    Meglitinide (repaglinide, nateglinide, mitiglinide)↑ Insulin secretion from β-cells, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia
    Before each meal
    YesYes0.5–1.5Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
    DPP4 inhibitor (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, gemigliptin, alogliptin, teneligliptin, anagliptin)↑ Postprandial incretin (GLP-1, GIP), ↑ glucose-dependent insulin secretion, ↓ postprandial glucagon secretion, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia, use regardless of mealtimeNoNo0.5–1.0Angioedema, urticaria
    Acute pancreatitis
    Risk for heart failure (saxagliptin, alogliptin)
    Dose titration in severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
    Thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone, lobeglitazone)↑ Insulin sensitivity (muscle, adipose tissue), ↓ hepatic glucose production, once daily regardless of mealtimeYesNo0.5–1.4Edema, anemia, bone fracture, heart failureHeart failure, severe hepatic or renal insufficiency
    SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin, ipragliflozin, empagliflozin)↓ Renal glucose reabsorption, ↑ glucosuria
    Once daily regardless of mealtime
    NoNo0.5–1.0Genitourinary tract infections, polyuria, dehydration, DKAOld age, heart failure, hypotension, diuretics use, not for severe CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2)
    α-Glucosidase inhibitor (acarbose, voglibose)↓ Upper intestinal glucose absorption, ↓ postprandial hyperglycemia
    Before each meal
    NoNo0.5–1.0GI side effects (flatulence, diarrhea, bloating)Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, chronic inflammatory bowel disease with malabsorption, severe infection
    Table 1 Oral antihyperglycemic agents for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus used in Korea

    Adapted Ko et al. [11].

    HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; GI, gastrointestinal; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; DPP4, dipeptidyl peptidase 4; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; GIP, gastric inhibitory polypeptide; CKD, chronic kidney disease; SGLT2, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2; DKA, diabetic ketoacidosis.

    aMonotherapy.

    Rhee SY, Kim HJ, Ko SH, Hur KY, Kim NH, Moon MK, Park SO, Lee BW, Choi KM, Kim JH, . Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Metab J. 2017;41(5):349-356.
    Received: Sep 08, 2017; Accepted: Sep 22, 2017
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2017.41.5.349.

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