Real-world evidence on the effectiveness and safety of gliclazide MR 60 mg in Bangladeshi patients with Type II diabetes during fasting: a sub-analysis from the global DIA-RAMADAN study

Aim: Many Muslims with Type II diabetes (T2DM) fast during Ramadan, which can put them at increased risk of hypoglycemia. This sub -analysis of the global DIA-RAMADAN study assessed the effectiveness and safety of gliclazide modified release (MR) 60 mg in the Bangladeshi cohort. Materials & methods: DIA-RAMADAN was an international, prospective, observational study conducted in adult T2DM patients intending to fast and receiving gliclazide MR 60 mg once daily for >= 90 days before Ramadan. Dosing was switched from morning to evening at the start of Ramadan. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with >= 1 symptomatic hypoglycemic event. Secondary outcomes included changes between inclusion (V0) and end of study visit (V1) in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Results: Among the 98 Bangladeshi patients, 80 (81.6%) were at moderate/low- risk (category 3) for fasting and 18 (18.4%) were high -risk (category 2), as per International Diabetes Federation and Diabetes and Ramadan International Alliance (IDF-DAR) guidelines. Gliclazide MR was being prescribed as monotherapy to 59 (60.2%) patients and in combination with metformin to 39 (39.8%). There was no incidence of severe hypoglycemic events. Mean (+/- SD) HbA1c change from V0 was0.1 +/- 0.8% (p = 0.159). Mean (+/- SD) changes in FPG and body weight were -0.8 +/- 39.7 mg/dl (p = 0.876) and -0.0 +/- 1.5 kg (p = 0.810), respectively. Conclusion: In a real -world setting, this sub -analysis in Bangladeshi patients shows that patients with T2DM treated with gliclazide MR 60 mg can fast safely during Ramadan with a very low risk of hypoglycemia, while maintaining glycemic control and body weight.