Dulaglutide and long-acting insulin combo bests intensive insulin therapy for blood sugar control

Japan: A recent study from Japan found that a combination of dulaglutide and long-acting insulin ensued better glycemic control for 24 weeks than intensive insulin therapy alone. Fluctuations in blood glucose levels reduced and the number of self-injections needed has also decreased. The study results were published in the journal Diabetology International. 

Diabetes is a global pandemic causing increased mortality and morbidity.  Multiple drugs are used in the management of diabetes along with insulin therapy. Researchers from Japan conducted a study to evaluate the long-term effects of combination therapy of dulaglutide and long-acting insulin, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. 

A retrospective observational study was carried out on 20 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent blood glucose management with intensive insulin therapy for a short duration. After this phase patients were changed from intensive insulin therapy to combination therapy comprising dulaglutide and long-acting insulin. Regular monitoring of hemoglobin A1c was done before and 4, 12, and 24 weeks after starting combination therapy. Glucose monitoring was also carried out continuously before and 1 and 24 weeks after starting combination therapy. 

Key findings of the study: 

• There was a significant reduction in the hemoglobin A1c levels after 4, 12, and 24 weeks of combination therapy.
• A significant decrease in glycemic variability (% coefficient of variation) was seen after 1 and 24 weeks of combination therapy.
• There was a significant improvement in the percentage of readings and time > 250 mg/dL at 24 weeks. 

Thus, better blood glucose control was obtained with combination therapy of dulaglutide and long-acting insulin than with intensive insulin therapy. 

Further reading: Ito, K., Satoh, S., Kondo, Y. et al. Effect of dulaglutide and long-acting insulin combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: a retrospective observational study. Diabetol Int 14, 51–57 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13340-022-00592-z