Background Based on the current recommendations, a fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and GLP-1 agonist liraglutide (IDegLira) is considered to be an equivalent alternative to an intensified insulin regimen for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As a once-daily injection with effects on both fasting and postprandial hyperglycaemia, IDegLira provides, according to several studies, optimal glycemic and metabolic control.

Purpose To determine the effectiveness of IDegLira in the reduction of glycemic parameters, bodyweight and lipid profile parameters in patients with a diagnosis of T2DM.

Material and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted in a diabetic clinic of a regional hospital. Clinical data and demographic characteristics were obtained from computerised medical records and processed by Microsoft Excel. Overall, 52 participants were selected with T2DM who were treated with IDegLira in addition to oral antidiabetic drugs for at least 52 weeks between October 2016 and January 2018. The effectiveness of IDegLira was analysed through measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and bodyweight and lipid profile parameters at the beginning of the treatment and at week 52.

Results Fifty-two patients were included in total. Mean age: 61.2 years (38–78): 25 females and 27 males. Average duration of diabetes: 8.5 years (2.8–19.9). After 52 weeks the mean HbA1c decreased from a baseline of 72.3±1.4 mmol/mol by 7.3±1.8 mmol/mol (p<0.001). The mean FPG was reduced from a baseline of 9.6±0.4 mmol/L by 1.5±0.4 mmol/L (p<0.001). Average weight loss was −0.45±0.32 kg (p=0.161). Mean changes in lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were statistically insignificant except for HDL-cholesterol, which increased from a baseline of 1.06±0.05 mmol/L by 0.04±0.02 mmol/L (p=0.014). Compared to the data from the DUAL Clinical Trial Programme, the reduction in glycemic parameters attained in this study was less pronounced presumably due to the smaller number of participants and different baseline characteristics.

Conclusion The conducted study confirms that the positive impact of IDegLira on glycemic compensation in patients with T2DM as a statistically significant decrease in parameters of glycemic control was achieved. On the contrary, the weight reduction and almost all the changes in plasma lipid concentrations were insignificant.

References and/or acknowledgements https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dom.12498

No conflict of interest.