Real-world evidence of the effectiveness on glycaemic control of early simultaneous versus later sequential initiation of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists
DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM
Authors: Rosenstock, Julio; Ampudia-Blasco, Francisco Javier; Lubwama, Robert; Peng, Xuejun Victor; Boss, Anders; Shi, Lizheng; Fonseca, Vivian
Abstract
Aim To assess the impact of the timing of initiating both basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on reaching glycaemic control targets over 6 and 12 months in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) uncontrolled on oral antihyperglycaemic drugs with an HbA1c of 9% or higher. Methods This retrospective cohort study assessed the impact of the timing of initiating both basal insulin and GLP-1 RA therapies on reaching glycaemic targets (HbA1c < 7% and <8%, and >= 1% and >= 2% HbA1c reduction) over 12 months in people with markedly uncontrolled T2D (HbA1c >= 9%) on oral antihyperglycaemic drugs identified on the Optum Humedica database (electronic medical records; 1 January 2011 to 30 June 2017). Study cohorts were defined by the days between initiating each injectable: cohort A, 30 days or less (simultaneous initiation) and cohorts B, 31-90, C, 91-180, D, 181-270 and E, 271-360 days (sequential initiation). Results Cohort A had the best glycaemic outcomes at 6 and 12 months for all four endpoints, followed by cohort B. The likelihood of achieving an HbA1c of less than 7% did not significantly differ between cohorts A and B (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.87 [0.76-1.01]); cohorts C, D and E were significantly less likely to achieve an HbA1c of less than 7% than cohort A (0.62 [0.53-0.72]; 0.62 [0.53-0.72]; 0.63 [0.54-0.73]). Conclusions In people with uncontrolled T2D requiring treatment with a GLP-1 RA and basal insulin, greater improvements in glycaemic control were observed when both therapies were initiated within close proximity of one another (<= 90 days) compared with initiation 91-360 days apart.
Stabilizing Cellular Barriers: Raising the Shields Against COVID-19
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
Authors: Hanchard, Julia; Capo-Velez, Coral M.; Deusch, Kai; Lidington, Darcy; Bolz, Steffen-Sebastian
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its clinical manifestation (COVID-19; coronavirus disease 2019) have caused a worldwide health crisis. Disruption of epithelial and endothelial barriers is a key clinical turning point that differentiates patients who are likely to develop severe COVID-19 outcomes: it marks a significant escalation in respiratory symptoms, loss of viral containment and a progression toward multi-organ dysfunction. These barrier mechanisms are independently compromised by known COVID-19 risk factors, including diabetes, obesity and aging: thus, a synergism between these underlying conditions and SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms may explain why these risk factors correlate with more severe outcomes. This review examines the key cellular mechanisms that SARS-CoV-2 and its underlying risk factors utilize to disrupt barrier function. As an outlook, we propose that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) may be a therapeutic intervention that can slow COVID-19 progression and improve clinical outcome following SARS-CoV-2 infection. GLP-1 signaling activates barrier-promoting processes that directly oppose the pro-inflammatory mechanisms commandeered by SARS-CoV-2 and its underlying risk factors.