Loading ...

TOPLINE:

Adults with early type 2 diabetes (T2D) that was inadequately controlled on metformin who then received once-weekly tirzepatide showed better glycemic control and greater weight loss than those who received other GLP-1s.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers reported 2-year findings from an ongoing open-label phase 4 trial (SURPASS-EARLY) in 10 countries.
• They included 794 adults (mean age, 53.5 years; 49.4% women) with T2D diagnosed within the past 4 years, A1c levels between 7% and 9.5%, and a BMI between 25 and 45 who were taking metformin.
• Patients were randomly assigned to receive once weekly subcutaneous injection of tirzepatide (n = 398) or one or more approved glucose-lowering agents other than tirzepatide (intensified conventional care).
• The primary endpoint was a change in A1c levels at 2 years. Tirzepatide was considered noninferior if the reduction in A1c levels were within 0.3% of intensified conventional care.
• Secondary endpoints included the superiority of tirzepatide for a change in A1c levels, weight, and waist circumference. Adverse events were also evaluated.

TAKEAWAY:

• At 104 weeks, patients who received tirzepatide had a slightly larger reduction in mean A1c levels than those who received intensified conventional care (1.99 vs 1.32 percentage points; P < .001).
• Patients who received tirzepatide lost a mean of 17.6 lb more weight and 2.4 in more waist circumference than those who received intensified conventional care (P < .001).
• Patients who received tirzepatide were more likely than those who received intensive conventional care to achieve A1c levels < 7% (86% vs 72%), ≤ 6.5% (80% vs 60%), and < 5.7% (60% vs 24%).
• Treatment-emergent adverse events (mostly gastrointestinal) and discontinuations were more frequent among patients who received tirzepatide. Rates of serious adverse events were similar between the two groups.

IN PRACTICE:

“[The] findings support the concept that early initiation of tirzepatide treatment could establish better and potentially more durable glycemic control than can be achieved with conventional care,” the researchers wrote.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Stefano Del Prato, MD, of Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy. It was published online on May 26 in Annals of Internal Medicine.

LIMITATIONS:

The study was open label, which may have introduced reporting bias. Researchers did not include patients with A1c levels exceeding 9.5%.

DISCLOSURES:

The study received funding from Eli Lilly and Company. Several authors reported employment by and/or holding stock in the funding company. Many authors reported receiving consulting fees or grants or having other ties to various pharmaceutical companies.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.