De-intensification of basal-bolus insulin regimen after initiation of a GLP-1 RA improves glycaemic control and promotes weight loss in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Aims To evaluate the impact of adding a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in basal-bolus (BB) insulin regimen, on insulin requirement, HbA1c, weight loss up to 24 months. Methods Data on subjects with T2D on BB who initiated a GLP-1 RA have been retrospectively collected. HbA1c, body weight, and insulin dose were recorded at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months after initiation of GLP-1 RA therapy. A linear mixed model for repeated measures was used to evaluate the changes in HbA1c, body weight, and insulin requirement over time. Results We included 156 subjects (63.5% males; age 62 +/- 11 years, HbA1c 70 +/- 22.0 mmol/mol; 8.6 +/- 4.2%). Compared to baseline, HbA1c and body weight were significantly lower at 6 months after introducing a GLP-1RA and remained stable up to 24 months (all p < 0.0001 vs. baseline). At 24 months, 81% of subjects discontinued prandial insulin, while 38.6% discontinued basal insulin as well. Insulin requirement at baseline (aOR 0.144; 95% CI, 0.046-0.456; P = 0.001) was the only significant predictor of prandial insulin discontinuation. Conclusions Replacing prandial insulin with GLP-1 RA is a valuable strategy to simplify the BB insulin regimen while improving glycaemic control and promoting weight loss in subjects with T2D.