Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support use of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) combined with a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). As RCTs do not fully reflect the real world, there is a need to explore the real-world population on this combination and determine outcomes with this approach. As a first step, in this large-scale cross-sectional study, we identified adults with T2D, ≥2 prescriptions for GLP-1RA and/or SGLT2i and available data from electronic medical records in the U.S. IBM Explorys database. The first prescription of GLP-1RA and/or SGLT2i in 2018 set the index date, irrespective of prior prescriptions. Data 6 months pre-index were used for patient characteristics and up to 5 years pre-index for medical history. Of 41,421 patients, 12.8% had GLP-1RA+SGLT2i prescribed together, 46.0% GLP-1RA and 41.2% SGLT2i. Of those prescribed both drugs, female: 48.0%; BMI ≥35 kg/m2: 50.2%; mean age: 56.2 years; mean HbA1c 8.3%. In multinomial regression, there was little difference between those prescribed GLP-1RA+SGLT2i vs. either drug alone in terms of HbA1c or presence of comorbidities (data not shown). However, those prescribed both drugs vs. GLP-1RA alone were less likely to be ≥65 years (odds ratio 0.57 [95% CI 0.51;0.63]), have a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD; 0.56 [0.49;0.66]) and more likely to have prior prescription of metformin (1.56 [1.46;1.68]). Those prescribed both drugs vs. SGLT2i alone were less likely to be ≥65 years (0.60 [0.54;0.67]) and have prior prescription of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (0.57 [0.52;0.61]), but more likely to have BMI ≥35 kg/m2 (2.11 [1.75;2.54]) and prior prescription of insulin (1.97 [1.84;2.11]). Those prescribed GLP-1RA+SGLT2i vs. either drug in 2018 had many common characteristics. However, key differentiators (age, obesity, CKD history and prior glucose-lowering drugs) reflected considerations for each therapy based on data available then.
R.J. McCrimmon: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi-Aventis. H.N. Christensen: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk A/S. I. Holst: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. A. Lenart: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. B. Ludvik: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Amgen. R.S. Brandt: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. J.S. Piltoft: Employee; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. A. Philis-Tsimikas: Advisory Panel; Self; Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Research Support; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi.
Novo Nordisk A/S