Author(s)

Christian Anholm, Hans Albert Frandsen, Eva Christina Hojgaard Sigfusson, Henrik Vestergaard, Sten Madsbad

Department of Endocrinology, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Department of Internal Medicine, Amager Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aims: To evaluate in a real-word routine-care practice the effect of liraglutide as add-on treatment in type 2 diabetic patients treated with oral antidiabetic agents and/or insulin. Methods: A retrospective study from 3 outpatient clinics in Copenhagen, Denmark, of all patients (n = 534) initiating treatment with liraglutide. 346 patients were treated ≥3 months. Excluded from analysis were: 107 patients changing from exenatide and 83 due to lack of clinical response or adverse events. Results: In 149 patients liraglutide was add-on to oral antidiabetic agents, most often metformin plus sulfonylurea (n = 86). Mean follow-up: 7.3 ± 3.0 months. HbA1c reduction: 1.3% ± 1.5% (15 ± 16 mmol/mol) from a baseline of 8.7% ± 1.5% (71 ± 16 mmol/mol). Weight reduction: –3.5 ± 4.9 kg from 105.2 ± 21.3 kg. Sulfonylurea treatment was stopped/dose reduced in 57% of these patients. In 114 patients liraglutide was add-on to insulin. Mean follow-up: 7.0 ± 3.1 months. HbA1c reduction: 0.8% ± 1.2% (8 mmol/mol) from a baseline of 8.7% ± 1.5% (71 ± 16 mmol/mol). Weight reduction: –5.1 ± 4.9 kg from 109.2 ± 22.1 kg. Baseline insulin dose of 83 ± 59 U/day was reduced by 28 ± 36 U/day. Insulin therapy could be stopped in 19% of these patients. Conclusions: Effects on HbA1c and weight of liraglutide as add-on to oral antidiabetic agents were not different from results previously published in randomised trials. Adding liraglutide to existing insulin regimens is an attractive treatment strategy in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

Type 2 Diabetes, GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, Liraglutide, Insulin Treatment

Anholm, C. , Frandsen, H. , Sigfusson, E. , Vestergaard, H. and Madsbad, S. (2014) Liraglutide as Add-on to Oral Antidiabetic Agents or Insulin in Routine Practice of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 4, 148-154. doi: 10.4236/jdm.2014.42022.