Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) are effective hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight-lowering agents. The treatment effect is unknown in patients with HbA1c of 9% or greater. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate glycemic control and weight loss after adding a GLP-1 agonist in patients with a baseline HbA1c of 9% (75 mmol/mol) or greater. Methods: A single-health system retrospective chart review screened adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a baseline hemoglobin A1c of 9% (75 mmol/mol) or greater and were prescribed a GLP-1 agonist for eligibility. The primary outcome assessed was the change in HbA1c from baseline to the first HbA1c check. Secondary outcomes included change in weight (kg) from baseline to the first HbA1c check. Results: Three hundred sixty-two patients were screened of which 151 (41.7%) were included in the final analysis. The mean change in HbA1c from baseline to first HbA1c check for all participants was -2.1% (95% CI: -2.3% to -1.8%; P < .001; -23 mmol/mol [95% CI: -25 to -20 mmol/mol]). The mean change in weight from baseline to first HbA1c check was -2.0 kg (95% CI: -2.6 kg to -1.4 kg; P < .001). Conclusion: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a baseline HbA1c ≥ 9%, GLP-1 agonist initiation resulted in a significant reduction of both HbA1c and weight compared to baseline. Large, prospective, multisite studies are needed to confirm findings of this retrospective study.
Keywords: diabetes; glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists; hemoglobin A1c.