Metformin in Prediabetes Discussion Assignment Paper

Metformin in Prediabetes Discussion Assignment Paper

The contemporary world has worrying diabetes prevalence rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) reported that 88 million prediabetes adults, with over 80% unaware of their prediabetic state. Prediabetes increases the risk of other medical conditions such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, evident in the progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prediabetes management is crucial in treating and preventing the progression of glycosylated hemoglobin A1 (HbA1C) beyond borderline levels. Williamson (2020) stated that prediabetes is marked by 5.7-6.4% glycated hemoglobin levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), prediabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, and heart disease. Prediabetes treatment aims to normalize plasma glucose levels and prevent the progression of T2DM and the associated microvascular complications. Metformin in Prediabetes Discussion Assignment Paper

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Pharmacological approaches can be used to manage prediabetes. Thiazolidines, acarbose, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, insulin glargine, and metformin as the common pharmacological approaches used in managing prediabetes (Williamson, 2020). However, metformin is the first line in normalizing plasma glucose levels and preventing type 2 diabetes mellitus. According to Coll et al. (2019), metformin delays or prevents T2DM by promoting weight loss, improving lipid profile and fibrinolysis, and enhancing insulin circulation. The pharmacological mechanisms of metformin act on the liver, intestines, and insulin receptor cells by reducing hepatic glucose, intestinal absorption, and improving receptor sensitivity. Besides, metformin elevates Growth/Differentiation Factor (GDF-15) circulation levels, thus suppressing appetite and food intake (Coll et al., 2019). The decline in appetite and food intake leads to the use of secondary energy stores resulting in weight loss evident in metformin use.

Despite the crucial impact of metformin in prediabetes and the associated complications, it is underutilized and underprescribed, thus limiting its efficacy in preventing progression to T2DM. In light, metformin can be used to reduce the effects of T2DM and microvascular complications. Moreover, it can improve the patient’s risk factors, such as promoting weight loss and improving lipid profiles. Metformin in Prediabetes Discussion Assignment Paper

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Prediabetes: Your chance to prevent type 2 diabetes. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html

Coll, A. P., Chen, M., Taskar, P., Rimmington, D., Patel, S., Tadross, J. A., … & O’Rahilly, S. (2020). GDF15 mediates the effects of metformin on body weight and energy balance. Nature, 578(7795), 444-448. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1911-y

Williamson, J. (2020). Metformin’s Role in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Individuals Diagnosed with Prediabetes: A Systematic Literature Review. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/978/ Metformin in Prediabetes Discussion Assignment Paper