The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability profile of liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, in elderly (?5 years) and younger (<65 years) patients with type 2 diabetes.
A pooled analysis of 6 randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational trials included data from 3967 patients aged18 to 80 years with type 2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7 % to 11 % . Of these, 552 patients ?5 years received liraglutide 1.8 mg, liraglutide 1.2 mg, or placebo; 2231 patients <65 years received liraglutide 1.8 mg, liraglutide 1.2 mg, or placebo for 26 weeks. End points were: change in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure: as marked to identify elements tracked for change from baseline; hypoglycemic episodes; and adverse events.
Reduction in HbA1c from baseline was significantly greater with liraglutide 1.8 mg versus placebo (least squares mean difference: ?5 years, 0.91 % [95 % CI, 0.69?.12]; <65 years, 1.17 % [95 % CI, 1.06?.28]; both, P < 0.0001) and with liraglutide 1.2 mg versus placebo (?5 years, 0.87 % [95 % CI, 0.64?.11]; <65 years, 1.10 % [95 % CI, 0.98?.22]; both, P < 0.0001). For fasting plasma glucose, comparable results were observed between liraglutide 1.8 mg or 1.2 mg and placebo for both age groups (P < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference in body weight change was seen with liraglutide between the age groups. The proportion of patients reporting minor hypoglycemia was low and appeared comparable between the ?5-year-old (4.3 % ?5.2 % ) and <65-year-old (8 % ?3.2 % ) groups. Likewise, adverse events appeared comparable in nature and frequency.
Liraglutide provides effective glycemic control and is well tolerated in patients ?5 and <65 years of age with type 2 diabetes. These data suggest that liraglutide may be a suitable treatment option for older patients who may have additional age-related complications.