Liraglutide lowers weight and HbA1c in T2DM Arab patients
Liraglutide is effective in reducing weight, HbA1c as well as other metabolic parameters in Arab population with type2 diabetes, according to a study ‘Liraglutide effect in reducing Hba1c and weight in Arab population with type2 diabetes, a prospective observational trial’, published in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders. The investigators from the United Arab Emirates said that they believed this was the first trial ever conducted to specifically look at the efficacy of liraglutide in Arab population.
It is known that pathophysiology of type2 diabetes differs between different ethnic groups, and that Asians develop type2 diabetes at younger age, lower body mass index and in relatively short time. In addition, some ethnicities have different responses and dosing regimens to different classes of anti-diabetic agents. For example, data from Japanese population showed that the optimal doses of liraglutide used are smaller than other populations and that weight loss is not as effective as seen in Caucasians.
As a result, the researchers assessed the efficacy of liraglutide in reducing weight and HbA1c in Arab population when used as add on to other anti-diabetic agents. They prospectively followed patients who were recruited to treatment with liraglutide for a six months period. Patients were checked at three months and at the end of the study at six months.
The dose of liraglutide started at 0.6mg once per day subcutaneously and increased after one week to 1.2mg and after another week to 1.8mg per day. Those who did not tolerate the 1.2mg were excluded from the study, while those who did not tolerate the 1.8mg were advised to continue with 1.2mg per day (1.2–1.8mg were the doses used in LEAD trials).
