A real-world, observational study of weekly exenatide added to basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (NCT02895672)

Consensus Recommendations on GLP-1 RA Use in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: South Asian Task Force

The advent of incretin mimetics such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) has enriched the armamentarium for diabetes management owing to their glycaemic as well as extra-glycaemic benefits. The approval status and availability of this class of drugs vary widely across the globe. Being a relatively newer class of drug with numerous benefits, several national and international guidelines are working towards addressing clinical questions pertaining to the optimal use of GLP-1 RAs for the management of diabetes. Although the newer class of drugs are associated with significant benefits such as patient-centric approach, these drugs demand the providers to be vigilant and knowledgeable about the medication. The South Asian population is at higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because of their genetic predisposition and lifestyle changes. Hence, prevention and management of T2DM and its associated complications in this population are of paramount importance. The current report aims to present an overview of current knowledge on GLP-1 RAs based on pragmatic review of the available clinical evidence. In addition, this report is a consensus of expert endocrinologists representing South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Maldives on essential recommendations related to the use of GLP-1 RAs in a real-world scenario.

Dulaglutide as an Add-on to Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes; Clinical Efficacy and Parameters Affecting the Response in Real-World Practice

PURPOSE

For patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) who remain above their glycemic target on insulin therapy, a combination of insulin and a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist has been recommended. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the clinical efficacy and parameters affecting the response to this combination in a real-world setting. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy and parameters affecting the glycemic response to dulaglutide as an add-on to insulin therapy for T2DM in a real-world clinical setting.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed in 120 patients with T2DM who had initiated dulaglutide as an add-on to insulin therapy between January 2017 and December 2018. After 6 months of treatment, the change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was evaluated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the parameters affecting the therapeutic response to dulaglutide.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 55.1 years and 57.5% were male. The mean baseline HbA1c, body mass index, and duration of diabetes were 9.1%, 27.5 kg/m², and 17.2 years, respectively. The change in HbA1c between baseline and 6 months was -0.97% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.28 to -0.66%, P<0.001), the change in body weight was -2.05 kg (95% CI: -2.93 to -1.17 kg, P<0.001), and the change in total daily insulin dose was -11.67 IU (95% CI: -14.55 to -8.78 IU, P<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, higher baseline HbA1c was associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms, but these were well-tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Dulaglutide treatment in combination with insulin resulted in a significant improvement in HbA1c and body weight over a 6-month period in a real-world clinical setting. Higher baseline HbA1c was associated with a good clinical response.