Trial reportBMJ open2016

Metformin versus placebo in combination with insulin analogues in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus-the randomised, blinded Copenhagen Insulin and Metformin Therapy (CIMT) trial.

Louise Lundby-Christensen, Lise Tarnow, Trine W Boesgaard, Søren S Lund, Niels Wiinberg, Hans Perrild, Thure Krarup, Ole Snorgaard, Birthe Gade-Rasmussen, Birger Thorsteinsson and 16 more

Registry-linked trialOpen access · goldAbstract readComparative StudyMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMJ open, 2016. The graph read 2 numbers from its abstract, feeding 3 cells of the map: it supports the treatment in 3. It reports registered trial NCT00657943. Cited by 22 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.

2numbers the graph read from it
3cells of the map it votes in
22citing papers in PubMed, 5 pooled it
4.2field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

← favours the treatmentfavours the comparator →
-3.300 · no effect
Glycemic controlfavours the treatment · against placebo · obesity, ascvdfeeds 2 cells of the map
Δ -0.42-0.62 to -0.23p<0.001
HbA1c was more reduced in the metformin group (between-group difference -0.42% (95% CI -0.62% to -0.23%), p<0.001)), despite the significantly lower insulin dose at end of trial in the metformin group (1.04 IU/kg (95% CI 0.94 to 1.15)) compared with placebo (1.36 IU/kg (95% CI 1.23 to 1.51), p<0.001).
Body weight & compositionfavours the treatment · against placebo · obesity, ascvdfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -2.60-3.30 to -1.80p<0.001
The metformin group gained less weight (between-group difference -2.6 kg (95% CI -3.3 to -1.8), p<0.001).

clause the extractor read what became the number

2 · Its place on the map

Where it lands on the map

Rows are treatments, columns are outcomes. The coloured squares are the cells this paper feeds, coloured by the vote it casts there. Click one to jump to what this paper adds to it.

supports the treatmentfavours the comparatorno clear differenceread, but no usable result
3 · What it changes

What it adds to each cell

For every cell the paper feeds: the belief in the claim with and without this paper, and this paper's estimate drawn against every other readable study in the cell. The ringed dot is this paper.

Insulin×glycemic control

SupportsOpen on the map →What to test next →

40 readable studies in this cell: 15 favour the treatment, 14 find no difference, 14 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.50contested · 9 families support, 6 contradict · against placebo
Without it
0.50This paper does not move the number.
← favours the comparatorfavours the treatment →
0 · no effect
NCT036893742,274 enrolled · 2018
Δ -0.29-0.38 to -0.20
NCT037306622,002 enrolled · 2018
Δ -0.99-1.13 to -0.86
NCT013360231,663 enrolled · 2011
Treatment contrast -0.64-0.75 to -0.53
NCT038829701,444 enrolled · 2019
Δ -0.86-1.00 to -0.72
NCT045379231,428 enrolled · 2020
Δ -1.10-1.24 to -0.97
NCT032680051,264 enrolled · 2017
Δ -0.04-0.11 to 0.03
NCT020581471,170 enrolled · 2014
Δ -0.78-0.90 to -0.67
NCT021289321,089 enrolled · 2014
Δ -0.81-0.96 to -0.67
NCT009606611,036 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.04-0.18 to 0.11
NCT00856986987 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.52-0.68 to -0.36
NCT01117350978 enrolled · 2010
Δ 2.54-3.88 to 8.93
NCT03214380933 enrolled · 2017
Δ 0.06-0.05 to 0.16

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

Metformin×glycemic control

SupportsOpen on the map →What to test next →

40 readable studies in this cell: 41 favour the treatment, 13 find no difference, 7 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.84replicated · 32 families support, 6 contradict · against placebo
Without it
0.84This paper does not move the number.
← favours the treatmentfavours the comparator →
0 · no effect
NCT017190031,413 enrolled · 2012
Adjusted mean -0.72-0.95 to -0.48
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.40-0.59 to -0.21
NCT022730501,136 enrolled · 2014
Δ -0.89-1.08 to -0.69
NCT008598981,093 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.53-0.74 to -0.32
Δ -0.85-43.8 to 26.7
NCT00643851994 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.86-1.11 to -0.62
NCT01708902876 enrolled · 2012
Δ -1.00-1.23 to -0.78
NCT00676338820 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.05-0.26 to 0.17
NCT01126580807 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.22-0.36 to -0.08
NCT01023581784 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.67-0.96 to -0.37
NCT01076088744 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.84-1.15 to -0.52
NCT00386100688 enrolled · 2006
Δ -0.49-0.67 to -0.30

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

Metformin×body weight & composition

SupportsOpen on the map →What to test next →

19 readable studies in this cell: 7 favour the treatment, 6 find no difference, 6 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.50contested · 8 families support, 4 contradict · against placebo
Without it
0.50This paper does not move the number.
← favours the comparatorfavours the treatment →
0 · no effect
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.90-1.60 to -0.20
NCT008598981,093 enrolled · 2009
Δ -1.37-2.03 to -0.71
NCT00643851994 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.05-0.72 to 0.61
NCT02932475831 enrolled · 2017
Δ 0.04
NCT00676338820 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.04-0.61 to 0.53
NCT02980276535 enrolled · 2017
Δ -0.70-1.30 to -0.20
Δ 17.05.00 to 29.0
increase 1.26-0.24 to 2.75
weight loss -16.2-60.2 to -4.40

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

4 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT00657943 phase4completed

The Effect of Metformin Versus Placebo, Including Three Insulin-Analogue Regimens With Variating Postprandial Glucose Regulation, on CIMT in T2DM Patients - A Randomized, Multicenter Trial

Ran2008Enrolled415Registered outcomes2Posted comparisons0ConditionsArteriosclerosis, Atherosclerosis, Type 2 DiabetesArmsInsulin Aspart, insulin aspart + insulin aspart protamin, insulin detemir, Metformin
Open the trial in the graph
5 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

22 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 39 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
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  5. Pooled it
  6. Trial
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  10. Trial
  11. Article
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6 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

7 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

26 authors at 10 institutions in 2 countries.

Louise Lundby-ChristensenSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Paediatrics, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Lise TarnowSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark Department of Cardiology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Nordsjællands University Hospital-Hillerød, Hillerød, Denmark Department of Health, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
Trine W BoesgaardSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark.
Søren S LundSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany.
Niels WiinbergDepartment of Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen University Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
Hans PerrildDepartment of Endocrinology, Bispebjerg, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thure KrarupDepartment of Endocrinology, Bispebjerg, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Ole SnorgaardDepartment of Endocrinology, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Birthe Gade-RasmussenDepartment of Endocrinology, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Birger ThorsteinssonDepartment of Cardiology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Nordsjællands University Hospital-Hillerød, Hillerød, Denmark University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Michael RøderDepartment of Cardiology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Nordsjællands University Hospital-Hillerød, Hillerød, Denmark Department of Medicine, Gentofte, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Elisabeth R MathiesenDepartment of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Tonny JensenDepartment of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Henrik VestergaardUniversity of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Endocrinology, Herlev, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Metabolic Genetics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christoffer HedetoftDepartment of Medicine, University Hospital Køge, Køge, Denmark.
Leif BreumDepartment of Medicine, University Hospital Køge, Køge, Denmark.
Elsebeth DuunDepartment of Medicine, Gentofte, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Simone B SneppenDepartment of Medicine, Gentofte, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.
Oluf PedersenSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Section of Metabolic Genetics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Bianca HemmingsenCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Cardiology, Nephrology and Endocrinology, Nordsjællands University Hospital-Hillerød, Hillerød, Denmark.
Bendix CarstensenSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark.
Sten MadsbadDepartment of Endocrinology, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christian GluudCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Jørn WetterslevCopenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Allan VaagSteno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thomas P AlmdalDepartment of Endocrinology, Hvidovre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Copenhagen University Hospital · DKSteno Diabetes Center · DKGentofte Hospital · DKHvidovre Hospital · DKNordsjællands Hospital · DKUniversity of Copenhagen · DKZealand University Hospital Køge · DKBispebjerg Hospital · DKBoehringer Ingelheim (Germany) · DERigshospitalet · DK

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

8 · The paper itself

Abstract

The marked sentences are the ones the graph read a number from.

objectiveTo assess the effect of metformin versus placebo both in combination with insulin analogue treatment on changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN AND

settingInvestigator-initiated, randomised, placebo-controlled trial with a 2 × 3 factorial design conducted at eight hospitals in Denmark. PARTICIPANTS AND

interventions412 participants with type 2 diabetes (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7.5% (≥ 58 mmol/mol); body mass index >25 kg/m2) were in addition to open-labelled insulin treatment randomly assigned 1:1 to 18 months blinded metformin (1 g twice daily) versus placebo, aiming at an HbA1c ≤ 7.0% (≤ 53 mmol/mol). OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was change in the mean carotid IMT (a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease). HbA1c, insulin dose, weight and hypoglycaemic and serious adverse events were other prespecified outcomes.

resultsChange in the mean carotid IMT did not differ significantly between the groups (between-group difference 0.012 mm (95% CI -0.003 to 0.026), p=0.11). HbA1c was more reduced in the metformin group (between-group difference -0.42% (95% CI -0.62% to -0.23%), p<0.001)), despite the significantly lower insulin dose at end of trial in the metformin group (1.04 IU/kg (95% CI 0.94 to 1.15)) compared with placebo (1.36 IU/kg (95% CI 1.23 to 1.51), p<0.001). The metformin group gained less weight (between-group difference -2.6 kg (95% CI -3.3 to -1.8), p<0.001). The groups did not differ with regard to number of patients with severe or non-severe hypoglycaemic or other serious adverse events, but the metformin group had more non-severe hypoglycaemic episodes (4347 vs 3161, p<0.001).

conclusionsMetformin in combination with insulin did not reduce carotid IMT despite larger reduction in HbA1c, less weight gain, and smaller insulin dose compared with placebo plus insulin. However, the trial only reached 46% of the planned sample size and lack of power may therefore have affected our results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00657943; Results.

Indexed as

Blood GlucoseBody WeightCarotid Intima-Media ThicknessDenmarkDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Glycated HemoglobinHumansHypoglycemiaHypoglycemic AgentsInsulinMetforminMiddle AgedTreatment OutcomeBlood GlucoseGlycated HemoglobinHypoglycemic AgentsInsulinMetforminULTRASONOGRAPHY

Identifiers

PMID26916684
PMCPMC4771973
OpenAlexW2285449049

What Socratic holds

Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.