Addition of or switch to insulin therapy in people treated with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists: A real‐world study in 66 583 patients

Sep 16, 2016Diabetes, obesity & metabolism

Adding or switching to insulin in people using GLP-1 medicines: A study of 66,583 patients

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Abstract

Addition of insulin within 6 months of GLP-1RA treatment is associated with 18% higher odds of achieving HbA1c <7% at 24 months.

Patients who added insulin reduced HbA1c significantly by 0.55% at 24 months.
No glycaemic benefit was observed for those who switched to insulin after GLP-1RA cessation.
Those continuing GLP-1RA treatment showed the highest HbA1c improvement within 6 months, with no further benefits over 24 months.
Weight, systolic blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased by 3 kg, 3 mm Hg, and 0.2 mmol/L, respectively, over 24 months.
Delaying the addition of insulin treatment in T2DM patients inadequately controlled with GLP-1RA may hinder glycaemic control.

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BACKGROUND: Real world outcomes of addition or switch to insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients on glucagon-like paptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with inadequately controlled hyperglycaemia, are not known.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with T2DM (n = 66 583) with a minimum of 6 months of GLP-1RA treatment and without previous insulin treatment were selected. Those who added insulin (n = 39 599) or switched to insulin after GLP-1RA cessation (n = 4706) were identified. Adjusted changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and LDL cholesterol were estimated over 24 months follow-up.

RESULTS: Among those who continued with GLP-1RA treatment without adding or switching to insulin, the highest adjusted mean HbA1c change was achieved within 6 months, with no further glycaemic benefits observed during 24 months of follow-up. Addition of insulin within 6 months of GLP-1RA initiation was associated with 18% higher odds of achieving HbA1c <7% at 24 months, compared with adding insulin later. At 24 months, those who added insulin reduced HbA1c significantly by 0.55%, while no glycaemic benefit was observed in those who switched to insulin. Irrespective of intensification with insulin, weight, SBP and LDL cholesterol were significantly reduced by 3 kg, 3 mm Hg, and 0.2 mmol/L, respectively, over 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant delay in intensification of treatment by addition of insulin is observed in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with GLP-1RA. Earlier addition of insulin is associated with better glycaemic control, while switching to insulin is not clinically beneficial during 2 years of treatment. Non-responding patients on GLP-1RA would benefit from adding insulin therapy, rather than switching to insulin.

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Addition of or switch to insulin therapy in people treated with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists: A real‐world study in 66 583 patients

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