METFORMIN: an efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic study on the short-term and long-term use in obese children and adolescents - study protocol of a randomized controlled study

• Published in: Trials Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 207
• Main Authors: van der Aa, Marloes P, Elst, Marieke A J, van Mil, Edgar G A H, Knibbe, Catherijne A J, van der Vorst, Marja M J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 05-06-2014; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body Composition - drug effects; Care and treatment; Child; Complications and side effects; Diabetes; Dosage and administration; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypoglycemic Agents - adverse effects; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Male; Metformin - administration & dosage; Metformin - adverse effects; Metformin - pharmacokinetics; Obesity - complications; Physical Fitness; Prediabetic State - drug therapy; Prediabetic State - etiology; Prospective Studies; Research Design; Safety and security measures; Study Protocol; Vascular Stiffness - drug effects
• ISSN: 1745-6215; 1745-6215
• DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-207

The prevalence of childhood obesity and insulin resistance is rising, increasing the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2. To prevent these complications, lifestyle intervention is the corner stone in treatment. However, long-term efficacy of lifestyle intervention is questionable. In addition to lifestyle intervention, pharmacological treatments have been explored. Metformin has been shown to be moderately effective to reduce BMI in obese adolescents with hyperinsulinemia. However, data on pharmacokinetics and long-term efficacy and safety are lacking as well as an evidence-based dosing regimen for this age group. The primary objective of the METFORMIN study is to determine the effect of adding metformin treatment to lifestyle intervention in reducing BMI in obese adolescents with insulin resistance. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of metformin in obese adolescents will be studied.
The METFORMIN study is a multi-centre prospective study that consists of two 18-month phases: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial (part 1) and an open-label follow-up study (part 2). During part 1, the participants will be given metformin 1,000 mg or placebo twice daily and will be offered a lifestyle intervention programme; 144 participants will be included, 72 in each arm. Primary endpoints are reduction in body mass index, insulin resistance, and percentage body fat.
This study will provide data on short- and long-term efficacy and safety of metformin and on the pharmacokinetics of metformin in obese adolescents.
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01487993; EudraCT nr. 2010-023980-17. Registration date: 06-01-2011.