Insulin degludec/liraglutide reduces cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes

According to a new post-hoc analysis presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2017), people treated with Xultophy^® had significantly lower systolic blood pressure, lower total cholesterol as well as lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (so-called ‘bad cholesterol’), and significant weight changes in favour of Xultophy^® compared to people treated with basal insulin (insulin glargine U100 or insulin degludec).

A small but statistically significant increase in heart rate was also observed with Xultophy^®.¹

“People with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke compared to the general population, so reducing this risk as much as possible should be a central goal of treatment”, said Professor Tina Vilsbøll, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark & Center for Diabetes Research, Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. “I am very pleased to see the beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk markers provided by Xultophy^®.”

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CVD is the principal cause of death and disability among people with type 2 diabetes globally, with approximately two-thirds of deaths in people with diabetes attributable to CVD.² Therefore, treatments for type 2 diabetes should not only lower blood sugar levels but also decrease CV risk.³

“This added benefit of Xultophy^® is certainly great news for the population at risk of developing cardiovascular disease on top of their existing type 2 diabetes”, said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer of Novo Nordisk. “At Novo Nordisk we strive to develop innovative treatments, reinforcing our long-term commitment to defeat diabetes. Xultophy^® is a key component of this commitment.”

References

1. Vilsbøll T BT, Bode BW, et al. IDegLira improves cardiovascular risk markers in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on basal insulin: analyses of DUAL II and DUAL V. Abstract at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Lisbon, Portugal; 11-15 September 2017.
2. Low Wang C, Hess C, Goldfine A. Clinical update: cardiovascular disease in diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus – mechanisms, managment of patients with stable ischemic heart disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016;60:e44-e164
3. Kurukulasuriya L, Sowers J. Therapies for type 2 diabetes: lowering HbA1c and associated cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2010;9:1-13.