The control rate, which was defined as HbA1c level lower than 7%, and the change in HbA1c values were the primary endpoint [18 ]. HbA1c was measured using affinity HPLC method (Automatic HA-8160 Analyzer HA-8160, Arkray Factory, Inc., Shiga, Japan). Fingertip blood was collected and FPG was measured using a blood glucose analyzer (
ACCU-CHEK Active Meter, Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, USA). The 2hPG level was measured after taking a standardized meal (
Olympus AU640 Analyzer, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan).
β-cell function was evaluated from venous blood to determine plasma insulin and C-peptide level, using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) to quantify HOMA insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and
β-cell function (HOMA-
β) [19 (
link)].
Blood pressure (BP) was collected at each visit. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured by enzymatic methods (
Olympus AU640 Analyzer, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Shizuoka, Japan).
All the changes in test results and symptoms of each outpatient should be recorded in detail, and we collected the records of the first visit and 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 months from the first visit.
Tian J., Lian F., Yu X., Cui Y., Zhao T., Cao Y, & Tong X. (2016). The Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Herbal Decoction in Type 2 Diabetes: A 5-Year Retrospective Study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM, 2016, 5473015.