Retrospective analysis of liraglutide and basal insulin combination therapy in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients: The association between remaining β-cell function and the achievement of the glycated hemoglobin target 1 year after initiation

Aims/Introduction: The glucose-lowering effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, have been shown to rely on remaining β-cell function. However, the possible associations of remaining β-cell function with the glucose-lowering effects of liraglutide in combination with basal insulin remain unknown and warrant investigation. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study carried out in a private hospital in Osaka, Japan. Type 2 diabetes patients who received a prescription change from insulin therapy, both multiple-dose insulin and basal insulin-supported oral therapy, to liraglutide and basal insulin combination and continued the therapy for 54 weeks without additional oral antidiabetic drugs or bolus insulin were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 72 participants who received a prescription change from multiple-dose insulin and basal insulin-supported oral therapy to liraglutide and basal insulin combination, 57 continued the therapy for 54 weeks. Of those who continued the therapy without receiving additional oral antidiabetic drugs or bolus insulin, seven participants achieved glycated hemoglobin < 7.0% at 54 weeks, but 30 participants did not. The participants who achieved glycated hemoglobin < 7.0% at 54 weeks had a significantly higher C-peptide immunoreactivity index, a β-cell function-related index frequently used in Japanese clinical settings. The receiver operating curve analysis showed that the C-peptide immunoreactivity index cut-off value for the achievement of glycated hemoglobin <7.0% at 54 weeks is 1.103. Conclusions: The current findings show that the glucose-lowering effects of liraglutide rely on remaining β-cell function, even when used with basal insulin; and suggest that liraglutide and basal insulin combination might require additional bolus insulin to fully compensate insulin insufficiency in individuals with reduced β-cell function.