Type 1 diabetes treatment beyond insulin: role of GLP-1 analogs

To observe the efficacy and safety of glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs in type 1 diabetes in a real-life medical practice setting.

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with type 1 diabetes initiated on a GLP-1 analog and with at least one follow-up visit at more than 4 weeks.

We identified 11 patients who were initiated on a GLP-1 analog and had a follow-up visit between 4 and 13 weeks (mean (SD) follow-up 10 ± 3 weeks; age 36.5 ± 16.4 years; duration of diabetes 17.3 ± 9.3 years; all on insulin pump therapy; all started on liraglutide). Seven of these patients had a second follow-up visit at approximately 20 weeks. By 10 weeks, there was a significant decrease in weight (4.2% of total body weight), total daily insulin dose (19.2%, of which 14.0% basal and 24.1% bolus), and mean (SD) insulin units/kg (0.57 [0.17] to 0.48 [0.17] units/kg). Hemoglobin A1c was significantly decreased (7.4 [0.7%] to 7.0 [0.7%], P = 0.02) without an increase in hypoglycemia. These effects were sustained at 20 weeks. Nausea was a common adverse effect and lead to drug discontinuation in 4 of 11 patients.

Patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes can achieve weight loss and improved glycemic control on less insulin without an increase in hypoglycemia when liraglutide is added to insulin therapy.