Dataset Information

Liraglutide as add-on therapy to insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective, observational study from a daily clinical practice setting in Switzerland.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and progressive beta-cell insufficiency, insulin therapy is required to achieve sufficient glycemic control. However, insulin therapy may lead to weight gain and increasing risk of hypoglycemia. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are being used as add-on therapy to insulin with favorable metabolic effects. Nonetheless, to date only few studies exist reporting on the combination of liraglutide and insulin with a short follow-up period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liraglutide as add-on to insulin in patients with T2DM over a time period of up to 24-28 months.

Methods

Data of patients with T2DM, treated with insulin and liraglutide at an outpatient clinic in a tertiary referral hospital from October 2009 until December 2011 were retrospectively examined (n = 36). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, total daily insulin dose and side effects were assessed 5-8 months prior to liraglutide, at baseline and at follow-up visits after 3, 6, 12-16 and 24-28 months.

Results

Median HbA1c decreased significantly from 7.7% [interquartile range (IQR) 7.0-8.6] at baseline to 6.8% (IQR 6.5-7.7, p = 0.001) at 3 months and 6.9% (IQR 6.3-7.6, p = 0.0001) at 6 months, but re-increased thereafter (at 24-28 months, median 7.5%, IQR 7.1-8.2, p = 1.0). Median weight decreased significantly from 99.8 kg (IQR 81-110) at baseline to 97.7 kg (IQR 81.2-108.2, p = 0.027) at 3 months, but rose again thereafter. Insulin dosage did not change significantly over time. No severe hypoglycemia or major side effects occurred.

Conclusions

In this observational study, adding liraglutide to insulin in daily clinical practice reduced HbA1c significantly within 6 months, but there may be a non-sustainable effect during long-term treatment.

SUBMITTER: Lipowsky C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4374072 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Study questionWhat are the effects of liraglutide, an incretin based treatment, on glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections?MethodsThe study was a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial with a parallel group design carried out at 13 hospital based outpatient clinics and one primary care unit in Sweden. Patients were considered eligible for inclusion if they had type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycaemic control (HbA1c concentrations ≥ 58 mmol/mol (7.5%) and ≤ 102 mmol/mol (11.5%)), a body mass index of 27.5-45 kg/m(2), and required multiple daily insulin injections. Overall, 124 participants were randomised 1:1 to subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo by minimisation allocation. The main outcome measure was change in HbA1c level from baseline to week 24.Study answer and limitationsLiraglutide was associated with a significant reduction of 16.9 mmol/mol (1.5%) in HbA1c versus 4.6 mmol/mol (0.4%) for placebo, difference -12.3 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval -15.8 to -8.8 mmol/mol; -1.13%, -1.45 to -0.81 mmol/mol). Body weight was significantly reduced in participants in the liraglutide compared with placebo group (3.8 v 0.0 kg, difference -3.8, -4.9 to -2.8 kg), and total daily insulin doses were significantly reduced, by 18.1 units and 2.3 units (difference -15.8, -23.1 to -8.5 units). Reductions in mean and standard deviation of glucose levels estimated by masked continuous glucose monitoring were significantly greater in the liraglutide group than placebo group (-1.9 and -0.5 mmol/L). Neither group experienced severe hypoglycaemic events nor were there any significant differences in symptomatic or asymptomatic non-severe hypoglycaemia (<4.0 or <3.0 mmol/L). The mean number of non-severe symptomatic hypoglycaemic events (<4.0 mmol/L) during follow-up was 1.29 in the liraglutide group and 1.24 in the placebo group (P=0.96). One of the study's limitations was its relatively short duration. Sustained effects of liraglutide have, however, been found over lengthier periods in connection with other treatment regimens. Cardiovascular safety and potential adverse events during longer exposure to liraglutide need to be evaluated. Nausea was experienced by 21 (32.8%) participants in the liraglutide group and 5 (7.8%) in the placebo group and 3 (5%) and 4 (7%) participants in these groups, respectively, had any serious adverse event.What this study addsAdding liraglutide to multiple daily insulin injections in people with type 2 diabetes improves glycaemic control without an increased risk of hypoglycaemia, reduces body weight, and enables patients to lower their insulin doses.Funding, competing interests, data sharingThis study was an investigator initiated trial, supported in part by Novo Nordisk and InfuCare. Potential competing interests have been reported and are available on the bmj.com.Study registrationEudraCT 2012-001941-42.

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