Evaluation of effect of acarbose consumption on weight losing in non-diabetic overweight or obese patients in Kerman

• Published in: Journal of research in medical sciences Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 391 - 394
• Main Authors: Nakhaee, Akram, Sanjari, Mojgan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd 01.05.2013; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Acarbose; clinical trial; non-diabetics obese; Original; weight loss; clinical trial; weight loss; Acarbose; non-diabetics obese
• ISSN: 1735-1995; 1735-7136

High prevalence of obesity and the importance of this issue as a risk factor for chronic diseases such as severe cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer necessitate the need for treatment. The aim of this study was the evaluation of acarbose effect on the weight loss in non diabetic overweight or obese patients in Kerman. A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 66 patients with the body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m(2). Patients were divided in treatment and control groups using the randomization. The treatment group took 100 mg acarbose 3 times a day for 20 weeks in combination with the low calorie diet and exercise. Control group was given placebo, low calorie diet, and exercise. BMI was measured after 20 weeks. The analyses were carried out using t-test and repeated measured ANOVA. Patients in acarbose and placebo group had a non significant difference in BMI at baseline. Reducing in weight was considered in every month in both groups, but this reduction was higher in the treatment group. At the 5(th) month, the difference of BMI in the treatment group was significantly lower than the placebo group (2.31 ± 0.6 vs. 0.76 ± 0.6 kg/m(2), P < 0.001). Acarbose, especially in combination with the low calorie diet and exercise, seems to lose weight effectively in obese and overweight patients in communities that have a high carbohydrate intake (like Persian diet).