title: A retrospective audit of type 2 diabetes patients prescribed liraglutide in real-life clinical practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In phase 3 trials, the once-daily human glucagon-like peptide-1 analog liraglutide provided effective glycemic control with low rates of hypoglycemia, weight loss, and reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Through a retrospective clinical audit, the authors aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of liraglutide, from initiation to first hospital visit, when prescribed at a center in Northern Ireland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending Ulster Hospital who were prescribed liraglutide (June 2009-September 2010) and assessed both at baseline and first post-initiation visit were included in the analysis. The primary endpoint was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline. Weight, blood pressure, and frequency of hypoglycemic events were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 193 patients are reported (baseline HbA1c 9.0%, mean age 55.8 years, diabetes duration 8.8 years, 66.8% male). Average time to first visit after initiation was 13.5 weeks, at which point 174 patients (90.2%) were prescribed 1.2 mg liraglutide. Mean change in HbA1c from initiation to first visit was -0.9%, while mean body weight change was -2.4 kg and change in SBP was -2.0 mmHg. Transient gastrointestinal side effects were experienced by 11.9% of patients. The number of patients experiencing minor hypoglycemic events was low (5.7%) and no major events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from clinical studies translate into clinical practice: liraglutide provided improved glycemic control after 13.5 weeks of treatment, accompanied by weight loss and low incidence of hypoglycemia.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1RH, Northern Ireland, UK, ciara.mulligan@setrust.hscni.net.
authors.forename: Ciara M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mulligan
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McIlwaine
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petruckevitch
authors.forename: Darren M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: McLaughlin