Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2016) 41 S23.1 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.41.S23.1

Denmark.


The treatment of type 1 diabetes is currently restricted to insulin therapy. However, achieving and maintaining strict glycaemic control is a demanding task for many patients and increases the risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain. This makes new treatments complementary to insulin of interest. In type 2 diabetes, the combination of insulin and a GLP-1 receptor agonist improves glycaemic control, induces weight loss and reduces daily insulin dose needed. However, only little evidence exists about the efficacy and safety of the combination in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Mechanistic studies suggest that GLP-1 enhances endogenous insulin secretion in patients with preserved beta cell function. Furthermore, it improves postprandial glucose control through a reduction in gastric emptying rate and an inhibition of postprandial glucagon secretion, regardless of residual beta cell function in type 1 diabetes. Nevertheless, the clinical data are conflicting in regard to the effect on HbA1c. Improvements have been reported in small-scale, non-randomised and/or retrospective studies. Recently the first two randomised, controlled trials were published reporting similar improvements in HbA1c in liraglutide and placebo treated patients. Reductions in insulin dose and body weight are consistently reported in all studies. Furthermore, episodes of mild hypoglycaemia were reduced compared with placebo in one study.

Adverse events in all trials were common and predominantly gastrointestinal, i.e. nausea, obstipation and vomiting, often transient and most pronounced when initiating therapy. No serious or unknown side effects have emerged so far.

Currently GLP-1 receptor agonists are not approved for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Further research is needed on both short- and long-acting agonists to improve knowledge about the therapeutic potentials. The effect in new onset type 1 diabetes is also of major interest.

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.

My recently viewed abstracts