Clinical effectiveness of exenatide in diabetic patients waiting for bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery constitutes the most effective treatment for severely obese type 2 diabetic patients. Exenatide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that can improve glycemic control and cause weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clinical experience with exenatide in obese patients with type 2 diabetes waiting for bariatric surgery has not been reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate, in clinical practice, weight and metabolic effects of exenatide (after 3 and 6 months) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity waiting for bariatric surgery.

A total of 100 diabetic adult subjects with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2) were included. Primary endpoints were changes in weight and HbA1c after 6 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints were changes from baseline of a variety of clinical measures (triglycerides levels, blood pressure, and waist circumference). Data were analyzed at 3 and 6 months of follow-up.

Treatment for 6 months with exenatide decreased significantly body weight (-12.5 kg) and waist circumference (-13 cm). Twenty percent of patients reduced their BMI under 35 kg/m(2) and significantly improved their metabolic profile (HbA1c <7 %). Significant and maintained decreases in HbA1c of 1 % were observed in the 3 and 6 months cohorts. Triglycerides levels and blood pressure also decreased from baseline to the end of the study. Treatment was discontinued in 19 % of patients mainly due to drug inefficacy (6 %) or adverse events (4 %).

Exenatide twice daily (BID) leads to early, robust, and significant weight loss in a subset of patients with diabetes and severe obesity before bariatric surgery. Clinical trials are needed to confirm the benefits of GLP-1 agonists in type 2 diabetic obese patients or high-risk super-obese patients waiting for bariatric surgery.