Immediate Glucose-Lowering Effect After the First Administration of Dulaglutide: A Retrospective, Single-Center, Observational Study

Introduction Dulaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that is administered once weekly for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, the immediate glucose-lowering effect of dulaglutide after the first administration and the factors affecting the efficacy of the drug remain unclear. Methods This study was a retrospective and observational study of 80 subjects with type 2 diabetes conducted in a hospitalized setting. The changes (Delta) in the blood glucose (BG) levels at six time points (6-point BG levels) from the baseline (day - 1) to the day after the first administration of 0.75 mg of dulaglutide (day 1) were evaluated. The associations of the Delta 6-point BG levels with the patients' characteristics and laboratory data were also analyzed. Results Significant reduction of the fasting BG, preprandial BG, postprandial BG, and standard deviation (SD) of the 6-point BG levels was observed on day 1 as compared to day - 1 (P < 0.0001) and the reduced BG levels were maintained throughout the remaining observation period of 5 days. The baseline serum hemoglobin A1c and glycoalbumin levels were positively correlated with the reduction of the fasting BG. The Delta BG levels were not related to the parameters of insulin-secreting capacity. Insulin treatment was positively associated with the reduction of the 6-point BG levels. Patients without cerebrovascular disease and patients without diabetic retinopathy showed greater improvements of the fasting BG and SD of the 6-point BG levels, respectively. Urinary microalbumin level was positively correlated with improvements of the 6-point BG levels. Dulaglutide reduced the BG levels, irrespective of the previously used class of antidiabetic medication(s). Conclusion Dulaglutide achieved reduction in glucose level within 24 h of the first injection. The improvement in the BG levels remained stable for a week in the hospitalized clinical setting.

Automated summary

Dulaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, can reduce glucose levels within 24 hours after the first injection in patients with type 2 diabetes, maintaining stable improvements in glucose levels for a week in a hospitalized clinical setting. The drug also improves patients' glucose levels, especially for those without cerebrovascular disease and diabetic retinopathy.