Use and effectiveness of a fixed-ratio combination of insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) in a real-world population with type 2 diabetes: Results from a European, multicentre, retrospective chart review study

Aims: To describe the real-world use and effectiveness of IDegLira, a fixed-ratio combination of the basal insulin degludec, and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide. Materials and Methods: This European, multicentre, retrospective chart review comprised adults (n = 611) with type 2 diabetes, who started IDegLira 6 months before data collection. Clinical characteristics were assessed at baseline (defined as the most recent recording during the 6 months before the first IDegLira prescription) and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months (45 days for each time point) after commencing IDegLira, where data were available. Results: Baseline regimens included non-injectable medications (19%), basal insulin (19%), GLP-1RA (10%), free combination therapy (insulin/GLP-1RA, 24%) and multiple daily-dose insulin injections (MDI, 28%), all +/- oral antidiabetic drugs. After 6 months, significant glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions were observed in patients overall and in all subgroups (-10 mmol/mol [-0.9%] overall; P < .0001), and a significant reduction in mean body weight (-0.7 kg; P < .05) was observed in patients overall and in patients receiving MDI (-2.4 kg; P < .0001). The mean IDegLira dose was 22, 30 and 32 dose steps at initiation, and at 6 and 12 months follow-up, respectively. In total, only 67 patients reached the maximum 50 dose steps, with most coming from the free combination therapy (n = 31) or MDI (n = 15) baseline regimen groups. Hypoglycaemia rates were reduced by 82% (rate ratio 0.18; P < .0001) in the 6-month period after vs before IDegLira initiation. Overall, a total of 12 patients experienced 15 events in the 6 months after IDegLira initiation. Conclusion: In real-world practice, after 6 months and at a moderate dose, IDegLira resulted in substantial reductions in HbA1c and body weight, with a reduced risk of hypoglycaemia.