A Prospective Observational Study of Anthropometric Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Receiving Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors

Research Article

Abstract

The confluence of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) constitutes a major clinical challenge, where excess adiposity exacerbates insulin resistance and accelerates cardiovascular deterioration. Pharmacological interventions that offer glycemic efficacy without precipitating weight gain are therefore paramount in the management of T2DM. This prospective observational study investigated the longitudinal trajectory of anthropometric parameters in patients newly initiated on dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Over a six-month period, seventy patients receiving add-on DPP-4 inhibitor therapy were monitored for changes in body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). Contrary to the traditional classification of these agents as strictly weight-neutral, the analysis revealed a statistically significant, albeit modest, reduction in both mean body weight and BMI at three- and six-months post-initiation compared to baseline values. These results suggest that in real-world clinical settings, DPP-4 inhibitors may offer anthropometric benefits beyond mere weight neutrality, potentially driven by improved metabolic control and the absence of anabolic effects associated with other oral antidiabetic agents. The study validates the utility of DPP-4 inhibitors as a strategic therapeutic option for T2DM patients where weight management is a critical component of the holistic treatment regimen.