Combination therapy with pioglitazone/exenatide improves beta-cell function and produces superior glycaemic control compared with basal/bolus insulin in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes: A 3-year follow-up of the Qatar study

Muhammad Abdul-Ghani, Osama Migahid, Ayman Megahed, Ralph A. DeFronzo, Ebaa Al-Ozairi, Amin Jayyousi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aim: To examine the long-term efficacy of thiazolidinedione plus a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist versus basal-bolus insulin on glycaemic control and beta-cell function in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) on metformin plus sulphonylurea. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and thirty-one patients with poorly controlled T2D were recruited over 3 years and were followed for an additional year. Subjects received a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at baseline and at study end. After completing the baseline OGTT, subjects were randomized to receive either pioglitazone plus weekly exenatide (combination therapy) or basal/bolus insulin (insulin therapy) to maintain an HbA1c of less than 7.0%. The primary outcome of the study was the difference in HbA1c at study end between the two treatment groups. Results: Both therapies caused a robust decrease in HbA1c. However, combination therapy caused a greater decrement (−1.1%, P <.0001) than insulin therapy, and more subjects in the combination therapy group (86%) achieved the American Diabetes Association goal of glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7.0%) than those in the insulin therapy group (44%) (P <.0001). Both therapies improved insulin secretion. However, the improvement in insulin secretion with combination therapy was 2.5-fold greater (P <.001) than with insulin therapy (50%). Insulin therapy caused more weight gain and hypoglycaemia. Conclusion: Both combination therapy and insulin therapy effectively reduced HbA1c in poorly controlled T2D on multiple oral agents. However, combination therapy produced a greater improvement in insulin secretion and decrease in HbA1c with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2287-2294
Number of pages8
JournalDiabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Volume22
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Keywords

  • exenatide, insulin, pioglitazone, Qatar study, type 2 diabetes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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