title: Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability profile of liraglutide, a once-daily human GLP-1 analog, in patients with type 2 diabetes ≥65 and <65 years of age: a pooled analysis from phase III studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Managing elderly patients with type 2 diabetes poses particular challenges, so it is important to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability profile of antidiabetic therapies specifically in this patient population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability profile of liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, in elderly (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pooled analysis of 6 randomized, placebo-controlled, multinational trials included data from 3967 patients aged18 to 80 years with type 2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) of 7% to 11%. Of these, 552 patients ≥65 years received liraglutide 1.8 mg, liraglutide 1.2 mg, or placebo; 2231 patients <65 years received liraglutide 1.8 mg, liraglutide 1.2 mg, or placebo for 26 weeks. End points were: change in HbA(1c), fasting plasma glucose, body weight, and blood pressure: as marked to identify elements tracked for change from baseline; hypoglycemic episodes; and adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reduction in HbA(1c) from baseline was significantly greater with liraglutide 1.8 mg versus placebo (least squares mean difference: ≥65 years, 0.91% [95% CI, 0.69-1.12]; <65 years, 1.17% [95% CI, 1.06-1.28]; both, P < 0.0001) and with liraglutide 1.2 mg versus placebo (≥65 years, 0.87% [95% CI, 0.64-1.11]; <65 years, 1.10% [95% CI, 0.98-1.22]; both, P < 0.0001). For fasting plasma glucose, comparable results were observed between liraglutide 1.8 mg or 1.2 mg and placebo for both age groups (P < 0.0001). No statistically significant difference in body weight change was seen with liraglutide between the age groups. The proportion of patients reporting minor hypoglycemia was low and appeared comparable between the ≥65-year-old (4.3%-15.2%) and <65-year-old (8%-13.2%) groups. Likewise, adverse events appeared comparable in nature and frequency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Liraglutide provides effective glycemic control and is well tolerated in patients ≥65 and <65 years of age with type 2 diabetes. These data suggest that liraglutide may be a suitable treatment option for older patients who may have additional age-related complications.
authors: Atlanta Diabetes Associates, Georgia, USA. bbode001@aol.com
authors: Bruce W
authors: BW
authors: Bode
authors: Jason
authors: J
authors: Brett
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Falahati
authors: Richard E
authors: RE
authors: Pratley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069450:Liraglutide; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000069450:Liraglutide