RESUMO
AIMS: To explore persistence with insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) treatment, clinical characteristics and concomitant medications in a large population of patients in clinical practice. METHODS: This was an observational study in patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 2432) who initiated IDegLira between 26 May 2015 and 31 December 2017. Data were obtained from Swedish nationwide registers and linked on an individual level using unique Swedish personal identifiers. Dose calculations were made for patients with ≥ 180 days between the first and last collections of IDegLira prescription. Changes in clinical parameters were evaluated as change from the last observation during 12 months prior to the initiation date until ± 90 days from the last collection of IDegLira. RESULTS: Pre-index regimens (index date being the date of filling the first prescription of IDegLira) included: multiple daily insulin injections (45.1%); insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) (19.7%); long-acting insulins (11.8%); non-injectable therapy only (11.4%); GLP-1 RA only (9.8%); and no collection of diabetes medication during the 6-month pre-index period (2.3%). The majority of patients (94 and 84%) were persistent with IDegLira at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The most commonly used concomitant medication was metformin (69.4%). Mean daily dose was 33 dose steps. Overall, there was a mean decrease in HbA1c (approx. 10 mmol/mol [1%]) and body weight (- 1.1 kg). Improvements in HbA1c were observed regardless of pre-index treatment. CONCLUSION: After 12 months, 84% of patients were persistent on IDegLira, with improved glycaemic control and reductions in body weight.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: IDegLira is a fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We report the first real-world study describing change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) among US patients who initiated IDegLira. The aim of the study was to observe and describe changes in glycemic control and weight in patients initiating IDegLira in real-world clinical practice. METHODS: Patients in the Practice Fusion electronic medical record database who initiated treatment with IDegLira between March 2017 and June 2018 were identified (n = 1384). To be included in the analyses, the study population needed to meet age, time in database pre- and post-initiation, and availability of HbA1c data at baseline and follow-up requirements. Data were analyzed according to baseline therapy subgroups and whether patients were intensifying (primary analysis group) or simplifying (secondary analysis group) their diabetes treatment. Changes in clinical outcomes from baseline were evaluated by paired t tests and linear regression. RESULTS: The overall study population comprised 296 patients, of whom 206 were included in the primary analysis group and 90 were included in the secondary analysis group. In the adjusted analyses, there was a reduction in HbA1c of - 1.1% in the primary analysis group, with the HbA1c reduction in all prior therapy groups ranging from - 0.8% for those previously on basal insulin to - 1.0% for those previously on non-injectable therapy (p < 0.0001 for all). In a similar adjusted analysis, there was a statistically significant but small (1.0 lb/0.45 kg) change in weight in the primary analysis group. In the secondary analysis, patients previously on more than one injection daily switched to a more simplified therapy without compromising on glycemic control (HbA1c change of - 0.16%). CONCLUSION: Consistent with previous real-world studies, IDegLira lowered HbA1c across different background prior glucose-lowering therapies, with minimal impact on weight.
RESUMO
AIMS: This survey aimed to explore real-world physician experiences and treatment satisfaction with fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) in clinical practice across Europe and Canada. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online web-based survey was used for physicians treating people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. General practitioners and specialists, with experience using faster aspart, were interviewed. RESULTS: A total of 191 physicians participated in the survey. Most of their patients (68% of those with T1D and 63% of those with T2D) were previously treated with another mealtime insulin before switching to faster aspart. At the time of initiating faster aspart, nearly half of patients had an HbA1c level between 7.5% (59 mmol/mol) and 8.5% (69 mmol/mol). The main prescription drivers for faster aspart, versus other mealtime insulins, were faster onset of action, improved postprandial glucose (PPG) control, and dosing flexibility. Most physicians were more satisfied with faster aspart than other mealtime insulins regarding at-meal (66%) and post-meal (71%) dosing flexibility, improved PPG levels (66%), and onset of action (61%). Main reasons for not prescribing faster aspart included a good response to current treatment (76%) or patient reluctance to switch (57%). Overall, 12% of patients discontinued faster aspart, for reasons including concerns of hypoglycemia (17%), poor adherence (17%), and level of patient co-pay (17%). More than half of physicians had fewer concerns regarding postprandial hyperglycemia, and were more confident in their patients reaching their HbA1c target with faster aspart than with other mealtime insulins. LIMITATIONS: The findings of this survey are based heavily on physicians' experiences, and could therefore be subject to recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Reported physician and patient experiences of using faster aspart have been positive, and better PPG control and increased dosing flexibility are expected to improve glycemic management.
