Baseline characteristics in the VERIFY study: a randomized trial assessing the durability of glycaemic control with early vildagliptin‐metformin combination in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes

AIM: To assess the long‐term clinical benefits of early combination treatment with vildagliptin‐metformin vs. standard‐of‐care, metformin monotherapy in the ongoing VERIFY study. METHODS: We randomized 2001 participants with multi‐ethnic background, aged 18–70 years, having HbA(1c) levels 48–58 mmol/mol (6.5–7.5%) and BMI 22–40 kg/m(2). Baseline data included HbA(1c), fasting plasma glucose and homeostasis model β‐cell and insulin sensitivity. Standardized meal‐tests, insulin secretion rate relative to glucose, and oral glucose insulin sensitivity were assessed in a subpopulation. RESULTS: Out of 4524 screened, data were collected from the 2001 eligible participants (53% women) across Europe (52.4%), Latin America (26.8%), Asia (17.2%), South Africa (3.1%) and Australia (0.5%). The median (interquartile range) disease duration was 3.4 (0.9, 10.2) months; mean (±SD) age 54.3±9.4 years; weight 85.5±17.5 kg and BMI 31.1±4.7 kg/m(2). Baseline HbA(1c) was 52±3 mmol/mol (6.9±0.3%), fasting plasma glucose 7.5±1.5 mmol/l and the median (interquartile range) of fasting insulin was 109 (75–160) mU/l. Homeostasis model β‐cell and insulin sensitivity values were 84% (60, 116) and 46% (31, 68), respectively. In those undertaking meal‐tests, insulin secretion rate relative to glucose was 28±12 pmol/min/m(2)/mmol/l and oral glucose insulin sensitivity was 353±57 ml/min/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: Our current, multi‐ethnic, newly diagnosed VERIFY population reflects a characteristic presence of early insulin resistance in participants with increased demand for insulin associated with obesity. The VERIFY study will provide unique evidence in characterizing therapeutic intervention in a diverse population with hyperglycaemia, focusing on durability of early glycaemic control.