A consensus statement from the Japan Diabetes Society (JDS): a proposed algorithm for pharmacotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes

Efficacy and safety of once-weekly insulin icodec versus once-daily basal insulin in Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes: A subgroup analysis of the ONWARDS 1, 2 and 4 trials

AIM

To explore the efficacy and safety of once-weekly insulin icodec (icodec) in Japanese adults (≥20 years old) with type 2 diabetes from the global ONWARDS 1, 2 and 4 trials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Insulin-naive (ONWARDS 1) and insulin-experienced (ONWARDS 2 and 4) individuals were randomized to icodec or a once-daily insulin comparator: insulin glargine U100 [ONWARDS 1 (basal insulin only) and 4 (basal-bolus regimen)] or insulin degludec [ONWARDS 2 (basal insulin only)]. The primary outcome was change in glycated haemoglobin from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) (ONWARDS 1: Week 52; ONWARDS 2 and 4: Week 26). Here, we present the Japanese subgroup results.

RESULTS

Similar reductions in glycated haemoglobin from baseline to EOT were observed in each trial for icodec and comparators. The proportion of time in range (blood glucose 3.9-10.0 mmol/L) at EOT was also comparable across treatment groups (time in range: 58%-68%), as was time spent with blood glucose below 3.0 mmol/L (<1.0%). Combined clinically significant (blood glucose <3.0 mmol/L) or severe (requiring external assistance for recovery) hypoglycaemia rates were low, with no severe events (ONWARDS 1 and 2) or a single severe event (ONWARDS 4; icodec group) reported. These results generally aligned with findings from the respective global populations. No new safety issues were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Icodec improved glycaemic control to a similar degree as once-daily basal insulin comparators while maintaining low levels of clinically significant or severe hypoglycaemia. The findings support icodec use in Japanese individuals with different levels of type 2 diabetes progression.

PIONEER REAL Japan: Primary results from a multicenter, prospective, real-world study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in Japanese clinical practice

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

PIONEER REAL Japan was a non-interventional prospective study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in Japanese clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults naïve to injectable glucose-lowering therapies initiated oral semaglutide in routine clinical practice and were followed for 34-44 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to end of study; the co-primary endpoint was number of adverse events (AEs). Secondary endpoints included change in bodyweight from baseline to end of study. Analyses were also carried out for subgroups aged <75 and ≥75 years.

RESULTS

A total of 624 participants initiated oral semaglutide; 578 completed the study. Mean baseline HbA1c and bodyweight were 7.7% and 72.4 kg, respectively. At end of study, estimated change (95% confidence interval [CI]) in HbA1c from baseline was -0.7 percentage points (-0.77, -0.61) overall, -0.8 percentage points (-0.86, -0.67) in the <75 years subgroup and -0.5 percentage points (-0.68, -0.41) in the ≥75 years subgroup (all P < 0.0001). Estimated change (95% CI) in bodyweight was -2.8 (-3.19, -2.50) kg overall, -2.9 (-3.38, -2.49) kg in the <75 years subgroup and - 2.7 (-3.18, -2.14) kg in the ≥75 years subgroup (all P < 0.0001). AEs occurred in 161 (25.8%) participants: 99 of 423 (23.4%) and 62 of 201 (30.8%) participants in the <75 and ≥75 years subgroups, respectively. Gastrointestinal AEs were the AEs most frequently leading to oral semaglutide discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

In routine clinical practice, HbA1c and bodyweight were significantly reduced from baseline in adults initiating oral semaglutide, including those aged ≥75 years, with no new safety concerns.

PIONEER REAL Japan: Baseline characteristics of a multicenter, prospective, real-world study of oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice in Japan

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

PIONEER REAL Japan was a non-interventional, multicenter, prospective study investigating oral semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice. We report baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adults aged ≥20 years with type 2 diabetes but no previous treatment with injectable glucose-lowering medication were enrolled. Participants initiated oral semaglutide at their treating physician's discretion and were followed for 34-44 weeks. Participants were stratified into <75-year-old and ≥75-year-old subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 624 participants initiated the study. The mean (standard deviation) age was 64.1 years (14.1), the mean (standard deviation) body weight was 72.4 kg (16.1), and the mean (standard deviation) body mass index was 27.5 kg/m2 (5.0). Participants had a median (interquartile range) type 2 diabetes duration of 9.3 years (4.2, 15.2) and mean (standard deviation) glycated hemoglobin 7.7% (1.1). Most (75.6%) participants were taking glucose-lowering medications at baseline; the most common was metformin (51.9%). The main reasons for initiating oral semaglutide were glycemic control and weight loss. Most (86.0%) participants had an individualized target for glycemic control of glycated hemoglobin ≤7%. The <75-year-old subgroup was heavier (mean [standard deviation] body mass index 28.6 kg/m2 [5.2] vs 25.1 kg/m2 [3.4]) but had comparable glycated hemoglobin levels (mean [standard deviation] 7.7% [1.2] vs 7.8% [1.0]) to the ≥75-year-old subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

PIONEER REAL Japan describes the characteristics of individuals with type 2 diabetes prescribed oral semaglutide. The baseline characteristics provide insights into Japanese individuals with type 2 diabetes prescribed oral semaglutide in clinical practice.

Comparison of medication persistence and adherence in type 2 diabetes using a once-weekly regimen of DPP-4 inhibitor compared with once-daily and twice-daily regimens: a retrospective cohort study of Japanese health insurance claims data

Aims

Assess medication persistence and adherence for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) administered once weekly (QW), once daily (QD), and twice daily (BID) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and explore factors associated with discontinuation and non-adherence for DPP-4i regimens.

Methods

This retrospective T2D cohort study used medical claims data for three DPP-4i regimens in patients newly prescribed DPP-4i between December 2016 and February 2019. Medication persistence rates were calculated at 3, 6, and 12 months by the Kaplan-Meier method. Adherence was measured as Proportion of Days Covered (PDC). We used Cox proportional hazards models for DPP-4i discontinuation and logistic regression models for non-adherence.

Results

In the analysis population of 52,762 patients, DPP-4i prescriptions were 84.2% QD, 11.8% BID, and 4.0% QW. Medication persistence rates were similar up to 6 months for all regimens: approximately 90% at 3 and 80% at 6 months. The 12-month persistence rates for QD, BID, and QW were 74.8%, 67.5%, and 68.0%, respectively. Median PDC was 94.0% for QD, 91.8% for BID, and 93.2% for QW. Five specific factors were associated with discontinuation: BID or QW regimen, younger age, no concomitant medications, comorbid dementia, and comorbid chronic pulmonary disease. Non-adherence was associated with those factors plus male sex and treatment at clinics with 0-19 beds.

Conclusions

The 12-month medication persistence rates were highest for QD, followed by QW and then BID. Adherence was similar for all three regimens. Medication persistence for DPP-4i may be improved by tailoring regimens to patient characteristics and needs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-024-00714-9.

Glycemic control of once-weekly and other administration frequencies for DPP-4 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes: a real-world retrospective cohort study

Aims

To assess the glycemic control of once-weekly (QW) and other administration frequencies for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) in patients with type 2 diabetes in a real-world setting.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study used Japanese medical claims data and medical check-up data between December 2015 and February 2020. Patients with type 2 diabetes had been newly prescribed a DPP-4i regimen of once-daily (QD), twice-daily (BID), or QW administration and had hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values from regular medical check-ups. HbA1c values and proportion of patients achieving their HbA1c target were assessed. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between DPP-4i regimen and achievement of HbA1c target.

Results

Of the analysis population (N = 7229), 6098 patients were prescribed the QD regimen, 772 BID, and 359 QW. Mean HbA1c before exposure to DPP-4i was 7.31 ± 1.20% (mean ± standard deviation) for QD, 7.64 ± 1.47% for BID, and 7.06 ± 0.96% for QW, decreasing after DPP-4i exposure to 6.71 ± 0.78%, 6.77 ± 0.84%, and 6.59 ± 0.67%, respectively. HbA1c < 7% was achieved in 72.1% of patients for QD, 69.0% for BID, and 79.1% for QW. On multivariable analysis, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for HbA1c < 7.0% in patients < 65 years of age was 0.97 (0.73-1.30) for BID and 0.90 (0.57-1.42) for QW compared to QD. Similar achievement of HbA1c target was noted in each regimen for patients age ≥ 65 years and for age ≥ 65 years with multimorbidity.

Conclusion

In this study under real-world conditions, glycemic control for the DPP-4i QW regimen was similar to that for QD and BID.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-024-00718-5.

Efficacy and safety of switching from a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor to oral semaglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) are the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drugs in Japan. However, once-daily oral semaglutide has been reported to reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body weight (BW) without causing significant hypoglycemia. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching from a DPP-4i to oral semaglutide in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective study of the changes in HbA1c and BW in 68 patients with T2D who were switched from a DPP-4i and took oral semaglutide for  ≥ 6 months, without changes in any other oral hypoglycemic agent.

Results

Mean HbA1c decreased from 7.8 to 7.0% (p < 0.001) and BW decreased from 74.2 to 71.2 kg (p < 0.001) over 6 months. The decrease in HbA1c was more pronounced in participants with high baseline HbA1c (r =  - 0.542, p < 0.001). There was also a trend (r = 0.236, p = 0.052) toward a decrease in BW in individuals with shorter disease duration. There were reductions in either HbA1c or BW in 65 participants (95.6%). In addition, the larger the decrease in HbA1c was, the greater was the decrease in BW (r = 0.480, p < 0.001). Eighteen participants (20.1%) discontinued the drug within 6 months, of whom 10 (11.6% of the total) did so because of suspected adverse effects and the discontinuation rate was the highest in older, non-obese patients.

Conclusions

Switching from a DPP-4i to oral semaglutide may be useful for Japanese patients with T2D who have inadequate glycemic or BW control. However, its utility may be limited by gastrointestinal adverse effects in certain patients.

Real-world clinical evidence of oral semaglutide on metabolic abnormalities in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a multicenter retrospective observational study (the Sapporo-Oral SEMA study)

Oral semaglutide has potent anti-hyperglycemic efficacy in phase III trials. However, the complicated dosing instructions hamper to use this drug; therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in subjects with type 2 diabetes in a real-world clinical setting. In this multi-center retrospective observational study, we analyzed subjects with type 2 diabetes newly treated with an oral semaglutide for >6 months at four medical centers located in Sapporo, Japan. The changes in glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and other metabolic parameters were evaluated and any adverse event leading to semaglutide discontinuation were recorded from February 2021 to December 2022. This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (UMIN000050583). Of 543 subjects who met the inclusion criteria, data for 434 subjects (age 55.5 ± 12.6 years; body mass index 29.6 ± 6.0 kg/m2) were analyzed. After a 6 months of observation period, semaglutide 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg was used by 55 (12.7%), 241 (55.5%), and 138 (31.8%) of subjects, respectively. Both glycated hemoglobin and body weight significantly improved: 7.65 ± 1.11% to 6.88 ± 0.91% (p < 0.001) and 80.2 ± 19.2 kg to 77.6 ± 19.2 kg (p < 0.001), respectively. Efficacy was also confirmed in the subgroup switched from other anti-hyperglycemic agents, including dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. In total, 154 subjects had symptomatic gastrointestinal symptoms and 39 (7.2%) were discontinued semaglutide due to the adverse events. None of the participants experienced severe hypoglycemic events. Oral semaglutide in subjects with type 2 diabetes improved glycemic control and body weight in a real-world clinical setting.

Impact of Participant Characteristics on Clinical Outcomes with iGlarLixi in Type 2 Diabetes: Post Hoc Analysis of SPARTA Japan

INTRODUCTION

The real-world SPARTA Japan study confirmed the effectiveness and safety of the fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine 100 U/mL plus lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) once daily over 6 months in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This post hoc analysis examined the impact of participant characteristics on the achievement of age-defined glycaemic targets with iGlarLixi therapy.

METHODS

The retrospective, observational SPARTA Japan study included adults with T2D who initiated iGlarLixi. In this analysis, data from insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced participants were separately assessed to compare glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight and safety outcomes between those who achieved ('achieved' group) and those who did not achieve ('not-achieved' group) age-defined glycaemic targets after 6 months of iGlarLixi. The not-achieved group was further stratified by whether or not their iGlarLixi dose was increased during treatment.

RESULTS

In total, 418 participants were included in this analysis (138 insulin naïve and 280 insulin experienced). Among both insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced participants, those in the achieved group were older and had lower baseline HbA1c than those in the not-achieved group. Compared with the not-achieved group, the achieved group showed significantly greater HbA1c reductions from baseline (in both insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced participants) and significantly greater body weight reductions (in insulin-naïve participants), despite some participants in the not-achieved group receiving significantly higher insulin glargine doses than those in the achieved group. In both insulin-naïve and insulin-experienced participants, the incidence of hypoglycaemia and gastrointestinal-related adverse events was similar in the achieved and not-achieved groups. In a multivariate analysis, glycaemic target achievement was significantly more likely in older individuals and those who lost weight during iGlarLixi treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Achievement of age-defined glycaemic targets with iGlarLixi treatment for 6 months was significantly affected by increased age and body weight loss, regardless of prior insulin exposure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN-CTR Trials Registry, UMIN000044126; registered 10 May 2021.

Glycaemic control efficacy of switching from dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors to oral semaglutide in subjects with type 2 diabetes: A multicentre, prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study (SWITCH-SEMA 2 study)

AIM

To assess whether oral semaglutide provides better glycaemic control, compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) continuation, in people with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this multicentre, open-label, prospective, randomized, parallel-group comparison study, participants receiving DPP-4is were either switched to oral semaglutide (3-14 mg/day) or continued on DPP-4is. The primary endpoint was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) over 24 weeks. Secondary endpoints included changes in metabolic parameters and biomarkers, along with the occurrence of adverse events. Factors associated with HbA1c improvement were also explored.

RESULTS

In total, 174 eligible participants were enrolled; 17 dropped out of the study. Consequently, 82 participants in the DPP-4i group and 75 participants in the semaglutide group completed the study and were included in the analysis. Improvement in HbA1c at week 24 was significantly greater when switching to semaglutide compared with DPP-4i continuation [-0.65 (95% confidence interval: -0.79, -0.51) vs. +0.05 (95% confidence interval: -0.07, 0.16) (p < .001)]. Body weight, lipid profiles and liver enzymes were significantly improved in the semaglutide group than in the DPP-4i continuation group. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baseline HbA1c and homeostasis model assessment 2-R were independently associated with HbA1c improvement after switching to semaglutide. Seven participants in the semaglutide group discontinued medication because of gastrointestinal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the potential for gastrointestinal symptoms should be carefully considered, switching from DPP-4is to oral semaglutide may be beneficial for glycaemic control and metabolic abnormalities in people with higher HbA1c and insulin resistance.

Real-world risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in comparison with metformin: A propensity score-matched model analysis in Japan

We aimed to compare the effects of cardiovascular disease risk in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes on sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) or metformin. This retrospective, real-world cohort study was carried out using a claims database and propensity score matching; 58,402 eligible patients (29,201 per group) were included. The outcomes included nonfatal myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure and composite end-points. The hazard ratio (HR) for the composite end-point was 0.79, which was lower for SGLT2Is than for metformin. For male patients (HR 0.76), patients aged <65 years (HR 0.94), patients aged ≥75 years (HR 0.78) and patients with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (HR 0.76), the HRs for the composite end-point were significantly lower in the SGLT2I group than in the metformin group. SGLT2Is might be superior to metformin in reducing the composite risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

An age-stratified cross-sectional study of antidiabetic and non-antidiabetic drugs prescribed to Japanese outpatients with diabetes

Polypharmacy, common in patients with diabetes, may cause adverse drug reactions. The number of antidiabetic and non-antidiabetic drugs prescribed to patients in different age groups remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the number and class of antidiabetics and non-antidiabetics prescribed to Japanese patients with diabetes, stratified by age for reducing polypharmacy. This cross-sectional study examined all prescriptions of patients prescribed antidiabetics at 257 pharmacies of Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings in Japan from May 2018 to March 2019. Total prescription numbers including antidiabetic drugs were 263,915 in this study. Mean numbers of antidiabetic drugs per prescription were 1.71, 2.17, and 1.52 in the patient age groups of 10-19, 50-59, and 90-99 years, respectively. Count of antidiabetics was not related to age. However, the mean total number of drugs prescribed increased with age, which was 2.22 and 7.99 in the age groups of 10-19 and 90-99 years, respectively. The linear regression coefficient (b) according to age was 0.07 (p < 0.001) for 10-99 years. The mean non-antidiabetic number of agents prescribed increased with age among 10-99 years (b = 0.07, p < 0.001). Among outpatients treated for diabetes, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (29%) and antihypertensive, β-blocking and renin-angiotensin system blocking drugs (32%) were the most prescribed antidiabetics and non-antidiabetics in all ages, respectively. The number of prescribed antidiabetic agents did not increase with age, whereas the total and non-antidiabetic numbers of medications prescribed increased linearly. For reduction of polypharmacy in older people with diabetes, we need to focus on non-antidiabetics.

Long-term efficacy and safety of early alogliptin initiation in subjects with type 2 diabetes: an extension of the SPEAD-A study

We previously reported in the study of preventive effects of alogliptin on diabetic atherosclerosis (SPEAD-A) that alogliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, attenuated the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and no history of cardiovascular disease. This extension study of the SPEAD-A trial investigated whether early alogliptin initiation improved long-term cardiovascular outcomes. The SPEAD-A trial randomized 341 subjects with type 2 diabetes to either alogliptin or conventional treatment to investigate the effects of alogliptin on atherosclerosis. All subjects who completed that trial were eligible for this prospective, observational cohort study. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of a major cardiovascular event, defined as death due to any cause, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke. During the 520-week follow-up period, composite primary outcome events occurred in only a few subjects in each group [8 (5.4%) in the alogliptin group and 9 in the conventional treatment group (5.9%)]. There were no significant differences in the incidence rate of the primary outcome between the two groups. Post hoc Poisson regression analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence rate of composite recurrence events for the same outcomes as the primary endpoint. On the other hand, this incidence rate was significantly lower in subjects who received DPP-4 inhibitors before an initial cardiovascular event than in those who did not (5.8 vs. 13.3 per 1000 person-years, respectively, p = 0.04). Early initiation of alogliptin was not associated with a reduced risk of composite cardiovascular disease, which could be attributed to fewer events and/or the addition of DPP-4 inhibitors during the follow-up period.

Real-world use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: A retrospective database study (DEFINE-G)

AIMS

To understand glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Japan.

METHODS

Characteristics of people receiving GLP-1RAs between 2016 and 2020 in the J-DREAMS database were investigated. Changes in HbA1c, body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), and proportion reaching HbA1c targets were analysed in GLP-1RA-naïve patients 6-24 months after GLP-1RA initiation.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients with GLP-1RA prescriptions increased from 3.6% to 9.6% during 2016-2020. Among GLP-1RA-naïve patients (n = 569), HbA1c reduced -‍0.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.7, -0.5; -6 mmol/mol [95% CI -7, -5]) 6 months after treatment initiation and stabilised until 24 months (P < 0.001); mean BW and BMI reduced -1.05 kg (95% CI -1.31, -0.80) and -0.43 kg/m2 (95% CI -0.53, -0.32), respectively, at 6 months (P < 0.001). The proportion of GLP-1RA-naïve patients with HbA1c < 7.0% (<53 mmol/mol) and <8.0% (<64 mmol/mol) increased from 16% to 27% and 43% to 65%, respectively, and an HbA1c reduction of ≥1.0% (≥11 mmol/mol) was observed in 33% of patients after 6 months (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows increased GLP-1RA prescriptions over 5 years. HbA1c and BW reduced 6 months after GLP-1RA initiation in patients with T2D in a Japanese real-world setting.