Efficacy and safety comparison between liraglutide as add-on therapy to insulin and insulin dose-increase in Chinese subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity.

Li CJ, Li J, Zhang QM, Lv L, Chen R, Lv CF, Yu P, Yu DM

Cardiovascular diabetology15 Nov 2012Cited by 50 (Europe PMC)

PMID23153177PMCIDPMC3533748DOI10.1186/1475-2840-11-142PepBankPUB-23153177

Summary

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of adding liraglutide to established insulin therapy in poorly controlled Chinese subjects with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity compared with increasing insulin dose.MethodsA 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out. A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment. Insulin dose was reduced by 0-30% upon the initiation of liraglutide. Insulin doses were subsequently adjusted to optimized glycemic control. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, blood glucose, total daily insulin dose, body weight, waist circumference, and the number of hypoglycemic events and adverse events were evaluated.ResultsAt the end of study, the mean reduction in HbA1c between the liraglutide-added group and the insulin-increasing group was not significantly different (1.9% vs. 1.77%, p>0.05). However, the percentage of subjects reaching the composite endpoint of HbA1c ≤ 7.0% with no weight gain and no hypoglycemia, was significantly higher in the liraglutide-added group than in the insulin-increasing group (67% vs. 19%, p<0.001). Add-on liraglutide treatment significantly reduced mean body weight (5.62 kg, p<0.01), waist circumference (5.70 cm, p<0.01), body mass index (BMI) (1.93 kg/m2, p<0.01) and daily total insulin dose (dropped by 66%) during 12-week treatment period, while all of these significantly increased with insulin increasing treatment. Add-on liraglutide treated patients had lower rate of hypoglycemic events and greater insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs discontinuation. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events in the liraglutide added treatment, but were transient.ConclusionsAddition of liraglutide to abdominally obese, insulin-treated patients led to improvement in glycemic control similar to that achieved by increasing insulin dosage, but with a lower daily dose of insulin and fewer hypoglycemic events. Adding liraglutide to insulin also induced a significant reduction in body weight and waist circumference. Liraglutide combined with insulin may be the best treatment option for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study9

9 results from studies that gave the peptide. 9 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, HbA1c reduction with add-on liraglutide (1.9%) did not differ from insulin increase (1.77%).
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, adding liraglutide to insulin lowered HbA1c about as much as raising the insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
No significant changeHbA1c reduction
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
HbA1c reduction
1.9%
liraglutide added
HbA1c reduction
1.77%
insulin increased
Source sentences
Summary
At the end of study, the mean reduction in HbA1c between the liraglutide-added group and the insulin-increasing group was not significantly different (1.9% vs. 1.77%, p>0.05).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317701
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, 67% reached the composite endpoint with add-on liraglutide versus 19% with insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, more people reached the combined target with liraglutide added than with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
IncreaseComposite endpoint: HbA1c 7.0% or lower, no weight gain, no hypoglycemia
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Composite endpoint proportion
67%
liraglutide added
Composite endpoint proportion
19%
insulin increased
Source sentences
Summary
However, the percentage of subjects reaching the composite endpoint of HbA1c ≤ 7.0% with no weight gain and no hypoglycemia, was significantly higher in the liraglutide-added group than in the insulin-increasing group (67% vs. 19%, p<0.001).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317702
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide reduced mean body weight by 5.62 kg, while weight increased with insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, weight fell with liraglutide added to insulin but rose with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight change
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Mean body weight reduction
5.62 kg
liraglutide added
Source sentences
Summary
Add-on liraglutide treatment significantly reduced mean body weight (5.62 kg, p<0.01), waist circumference (5.70 cm, p<0.01), body mass index (BMI) (1.93 kg/m2, p<0.01) and daily total insulin dose (dropped by 66%) during 12-week treatment period, while all of these significantly increased with insulin increasing treatment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317703
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide reduced waist circumference by 5.70 cm, while it increased with insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, waist size fell with liraglutide added to insulin but rose with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWaist circumference change
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Waist circumference reduction
5.7 cm
liraglutide added
Source sentences
Summary
Add-on liraglutide treatment significantly reduced mean body weight (5.62 kg, p<0.01), waist circumference (5.70 cm, p<0.01), body mass index (BMI) (1.93 kg/m2, p<0.01) and daily total insulin dose (dropped by 66%) during 12-week treatment period, while all of these significantly increased with insulin increasing treatment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317704
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide reduced BMI by 1.93 kg/m2, while it increased with insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, BMI fell with liraglutide added to insulin but rose with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody mass index change
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
BMI reduction
1.93 kg/m2
liraglutide added
Source sentences
Summary
Add-on liraglutide treatment significantly reduced mean body weight (5.62 kg, p<0.01), waist circumference (5.70 cm, p<0.01), body mass index (BMI) (1.93 kg/m2, p<0.01) and daily total insulin dose (dropped by 66%) during 12-week treatment period, while all of these significantly increased with insulin increasing treatment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317705
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide dropped the daily total insulin dose by 66%, while it increased with insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, people needed much less insulin with liraglutide added, while insulin use rose in the other group.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseDaily total insulin dose
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Daily total insulin dose reduction
66%
liraglutide added
Source sentences
Summary
Add-on liraglutide treatment significantly reduced mean body weight (5.62 kg, p<0.01), waist circumference (5.70 cm, p<0.01), body mass index (BMI) (1.93 kg/m2, p<0.01) and daily total insulin dose (dropped by 66%) during 12-week treatment period, while all of these significantly increased with insulin increasing treatment.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317706
07HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide was linked to a lower rate of hypoglycemic events than insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, low blood sugar events were less frequent with liraglutide added than with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHypoglycemic events
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Adverse events · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Add-on liraglutide treated patients had lower rate of hypoglycemic events and greater insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs discontinuation.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317707
08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, add-on liraglutide led to greater discontinuation of insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs than insulin increase.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, more people on liraglutide added could stop insulin and other diabetes pills than with a higher insulin dose.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
IncreaseInsulin and oral antidiabetic drug discontinuation
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
and greater insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs discontinuation.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317708
09HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity, gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events with add-on liraglutide, but were transient.
In plain wordsIn Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes, stomach and gut side effects were the most common with liraglutide but were short-lived.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Direction not reportedGastrointestinal adverse events
Study
n = 84
Comparator
Insulin dose increase
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal adverse events · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 12 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Gastrointestinal disorders were the most common adverse events in the liraglutide added treatment, but were transient.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A 12-week, randomized, parallel-group study was carried out.
Summary · context
A total of 84 patients completed the trial who had been randomly assigned to either the liraglutide-added group or the insulin-increasing group while continuing current insulin based treatment.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2315317709

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12 Oct 2026, 12:10 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Efficacy and safety comparison between liraglutide as add-on therapy to insulin and insulin dose-increase in Chinese subjects with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes and abdominal obesity.

Summary

Results from this study9

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

MeSH terms