Pioglitazone for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels account for approximately 70% of all mortality in people with diabetes. Compared to their non-diabetic counterparts the relative risk of mortality caused by disorders of the heart and blood vessels is two to three for men and three to four for women with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is mainly characterised by a reduced ability of the hormone insulin to stimulate glucose uptake in body fat and muscles (insulin resistance) and affects most people suffering from diabetes. Several medications are on the market to treat diabetes, amongst them pioglitazone as a member of the 'glitazones' reduced risk factors for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Since the two biggest trials in people with type 2 diabetes showed that improved blood glucose alone is not enough to reduce the risk of the above mentioned diseases we looked for longer-term studies investigating 24 weeks as a minimum of pioglitazone treatment on patient-oriented outcomes. As patient-oriented outcomes we defined mortality, complications of diabetes, side effects of the medication, health-related quality of life, costs and metabolic control (lowering of blood glucose to near normal levels).
Twenty-two trials randomised approximately 6200 people to pioglitazone treatment. The longest duration of pioglitazone therapy was 34.5 months. Unfortunately, the published studies of at least 24 weeks pioglitazone treatment in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus did not provide convincing evidence that patient-oriented outcomes are positively influenced by this compound. The occurrence of oedema was significantly raised. The results of the single trial with relevant endpoints (Prospective Pioglitazone Clinical Trial In Macrovascular Events - PROactive study) have to be confirmed by other independent investigations. Until new evidence becomes available (several large trials are ongoing) the place of pioglitazone in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus remains unclear.
Furthermore, confusion arises due to different labelling of pioglitazone, for example in Europe and the USA. Consumers and physicians need clear guidance and transparent information about which studies exactly are used for the decisions of the relevant drug authorities.