Quality of Life, Glycemic Control, Safety and Tolerability Associated with Liraglutide or Insulin Initiation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Germany: Results from the Prospective, Non-interventional LIBERTY Study

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2020 Mar;128(3):170-181. doi: 10.1055/a-0636-3961. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess quality of life, glycemic control, and safety/tolerability associated with liraglutide versus insulin initiation in patients with type 2 diabetes in Germany.

Methods: Liraglutide/insulin-naïve adults with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control despite using oral antidiabetic medication were assigned to liraglutide (≤1.8 mg daily; n=878) or any insulin (n=382) according to the treating physician's decision and followed for 52 weeks. The primary objective was to evaluate Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL) scores.

Results: At baseline, the liraglutide group was younger and had shorter type 2 diabetes duration, lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), higher body mass index, and a lower prevalence of certain diabetes-related complications than the insulin group (all p<0.05). ADDQoL average weighted impact scores improved numerically in both groups from baseline to 52 weeks (mean difference [95% confidence interval], liraglutide vs. insulin: 0.159 [-0.023;0.340]; not significant). Changes in general wellbeing and five ADDQoL domains significantly favored liraglutide (remaining 14 domains, not significant). HbA1c reductions were greater with insulin than liraglutide (-2.0% vs. -1.2%; p<0.01); however, mean HbA1c after 52 weeks was 7.2% in both groups. Compared with insulin, liraglutide significantly decreased body mass index (-1.54 kg/m2 vs. +0.27 kg/m2; p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (-5.03 mmHg vs. -1.03 mmHg; p<0.01) and non-severe hypoglycemia (0.85% vs. 4.55% at 52 weeks; p<0.01). Adverse drug reactions were reported for<3% of patients in both groups.

Conclusions: Liraglutide improved certain ADDQoL components and reduced body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and non-severe hypoglycemia versus insulin. Both treatments improved glycemic control.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / adverse effects
  • Insulin / pharmacology*
  • Liraglutide / administration & dosage
  • Liraglutide / adverse effects
  • Liraglutide / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Liraglutide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists