Effects of dulaglutide combined with insulin degludec on glucose fluctuations and appetite in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to describe appetite and glucose fluctuation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients initiating treatment with dulaglutide combined with insulin degludec.MethodsThis retrospective study of patients identified adults starting treatment with once-weekly (QW) dulaglutide combined with insulin degludec (experimental group) or insulin degludec alone (control group). Patients were followed for up to 6 months from treatment initiation. The clinical characteristics of patients, treatment patterns, CGM data, and appetite scores were obtained for the two groups.ResultsA total of 236 patients were included in this study. SDBG, MAGE, LAGE, and PPGE of the experimental group were lower than the control group’s (P < 0.05). The proportions of patients achieving a time in range (TIR) of ≥70% in the experimental group were higher than in the control group, with 43% and 10% on the second day, 88% and 47% on the fourth day, 95% and 47% on the seventh day, and 100% and 67% on the tenth day, respectively. Significant associations existed between TIR and the prevalence of islet function. At six months, 89.2% of patients in the experimental group were still using dulaglutide. Appetite decreased significantly at 1 week and increased at 3 months after treatment with dulaglutide.ConclusionDulaglutide combined with insulin degludec significantly reduces glucose fluctuations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves the TIR rate. However, the treatment on appetite could decrease in the first three months.