Effect of the Combination Therapy of Liraglutide, a GLP-1 Receptor Analog, and IDegAsp in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes care management aims to not only achieve good glycemic control but also maintain the quality of life (QoL). Basal insulin-treated patients frequently receive bolus insulin as a strengthening therapy; however, concerns exist about QoL due to the increasing number of injections. We examined the glycemic effect and QoL in patients treated with liraglutide (Lira) and insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp). Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal-supported oral therapy (BOT) and DPP-4 inhibitor were enrolled in this observational study. Basal insulin was switched to IDegAsp at the same dose and DPP-4 inhibitor to Lira simultaneously; no titration protocol was used. We estimated the clinical and laboratory parameters and assessed the change in QoL within 12 weeks using the diabetes therapy-related QoL (DTR-QoL) questionnaire. The timing of dose up in regard to IDegAsp and Lira was also determined. Results: Fourteen patients were enrolled (male/female: 9/5, age (years): 63.6). The IDegAsp dose ranged from 9.1 to 13.7 U; all patients received 0.9 mg/day of Lira. The combination therapy significantly decreased HbA1c levels (8.7% vs. 7.1%, P=0.02), pre-breakfast glucose level (138.2 mg/dL vs. 108.9 mg/dL, P=0.044), bodyweight (62.9 kg vs. 60.3 kg, P=0.003), and BMI (24.6 vs. 23.5, P=0.004). The total DTR-QoL score at baseline was 61.6 and significantly improved to 73.2 (P=0.004). Significant improvement was also seen in D3 score (hypoglycemia; 63.6 vs. 81.4, P=0.036). D4 score (satisfaction with treatment) showed an increasing trend (59.0 vs. 78.2) and was negatively correlated with HbA1c levels (P=0.049). Conclusion: The change from BOT to the combination therapy of Lira and IDegAsp significantly improved glycemic control and reduced the bodyweight without deteriorating QoL in type 2 diabetes, although the treatment modality changed from one-injection to two-injection therapy. Disclosure M. Harada: None. M. Shinoda: None. R. Sakamoto: None. J. Suzuki: None. K. Takahashi: None. T. Yamakawa: None.