Lixisenatide Therapy in Older Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Their Current Antidiabetic...

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide versus placebo on glycemic control in older patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on their current antidiabetic treatment.

In this phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-arm, parallel-group, multicenter trial, patients aged ≥70 years were randomized to receive once-daily lixisenatide 20 μg or placebo before breakfast concomitantly with their existing antidiabetic therapy (including insulin) for 24 weeks. Patients at risk for malnutrition or with moderate to severe cognitive impairment were excluded. The primary end point was absolute change in HbA_1c from baseline to week 24. Secondary end points included change from baseline to week 24 in 2-h postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) and body weight.

A total of 350 patients were randomized. HbA_1c decreased substantially with lixisenatide (-0.57% [6.2 mmol/mol]) compared with placebo (+0.06% [0.7 mmol/mol]) from baseline to week 24 (P < 0.0001). Mean reduction in 2-h PPG was significantly greater with lixisenatide (-5.12 mmol/L) than with placebo (-0.07 mmol/L; P < 0.0001). A greater decrease in body weight was observed with lixisenatide (-1.47 kg) versus placebo (-0.16 kg; P < 0.0001). The safety profile of lixisenatide in this older population, including rates of nausea and vomiting, was consistent with that observed in other lixisenatide studies. Hypoglycemia was reported in 17.6% of patients with lixisenatide versus 10.3% with placebo.

In nonfrail older patients uncontrolled on their current antidiabetic treatment, lixisenatide was superior to placebo in HbA_1c reduction and in targeting postprandial hyperglycemia, with no unexpected safety findings.