Christopher Sorli, MD: Basal Insulin and GLP-1 for Type 2 Diabetes

Christopher Sorli, MD

Initiating both basal insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists is beneficial for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

The findings of the study, “Real-World Evidence of the Effect on Glycemic Control with Relatively Simultaneous vs. Sequential Initiation of Basal Insulin and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists,” were published as part of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) 80th Virtual Scientific Sessions.

A team of colleagues aimed to investigate in a real-world setting for the patient population who has a1c levels greater than 9%, if the combination of a GLP-1 and basal insulin initiated simultaneously have a better chance of achieving glycemic outcomes and getting patients to the goal as opposed to the sequential addition of the injectables, Christopher Sorli, MD, vice president of US medical affairs at Sanofi, told HCPLive® in an interview.

For individuals with high a1c’s, once they start injectable therapy, the initiation simultaneously—defined as a 1 month period of time—compared to those who had basal insulin and GLP-1 therapy over a longer period of time sequentially, those who initiated both simultaneously had a better chance of achieving a1c goals and significant a1c losses of >1% and >2%.

There is a high unmet need in such patients, and typically, treatment guidelines suggest initiation of a single therapy and to wait until a1c levels are high enough to initiate a second therapy. But for those who have poor glycemic control, they have a low chance of getting to their goals with just a single agent.

To learn more about the study and its implications, check out the video with Sorli below.