Long-term effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetic patients: A retrospective real-life study in 131 patients.

Aim: We evaluate retrospectively long-term effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetic patients treated between 2008 and 2016.

Methods: 131 patients treated by GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were included. The objective was to evaluate the evolution of glycated hemoglobin (HbA) during a period up to 4 years. The secondary objectives consisted of analysing the long-term effects of treatment on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and lipids; reporting the proportion of patients who reached HbA objectives; estimating the time before treatment failure and determining predictive factors of failure. We also compared twice-daily exenatide to once-daily liraglutide on the major parameters.

Results: HbA improved significantly, mostly during the first year of treatment (-1.2%), and this effect was maintained after 4 years (-1.4% vs. baseline). At 1 year, 26% and 47% of subjects achieved HbA levels <7.0% and 7.5%, respectively. Treatment failure was observed in 51% of patients after a mean duration of GLP-1RA treatment of 50 months. Half of patients had failed after 42 months. Baseline HbA greater than 9.0% and male gender were predictive factors of treatment failure. BMI also decreased: -0.9 kg/m the first year, -1.9 kg/m after 4 years. No significant difference was found between patients treated with exenatide and liragutide over time.

Conclusions: The beneficial effects of GLP-1RAs on HbA reached a plateau after the first year of treatment and are maintained at 4 years only in one third of patients. Failure occurred predominantly in men with a baseline HbA greater than 9%.