Beyond glycaemic control: A cross-over, double-blinded, 24-week intervention with liraglutide in type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the effects of 24 weeks of treatment with liraglutide added to basal/bolus insulin on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in overweight participants with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: In a double-blinded cross-over fashion, 15 participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive placebo (saline solution) or liraglutide for 24 weeks including a 1-month titration period from 0.6 to 1.2 to 1.8 mg, in addition to their insulin. The treatment was followed by a 1-month wash-out period. Participants were then assigned to the other treatment for another 24 weeks. Paired rank tests were used to compare the metabolic parameters.

Results: There was no treatment effect on HbA1c nor on insulin dose. Heart rate was increased by about 8 beats per minute with liraglutide. There were significant reductions in metabolic measures: weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, body fatness, computed tomography scan abdominal and mid-thigh measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressures (all P ≤ .05). There was no increase in time spent in hypoglycaemia with liraglutide.

Conclusions: The addition of liraglutide to basal/bolus insulin therapy for 24 weeks in overweight/obese individuals with type 1 diabetes improved the anthropometric and metabolic profiles without an increase in hypoglycaemia. Clinical Trials.gov No: NCT01787916.