Aims Very few studies have ever examined the effects of long-term (>1 year) administration of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year study to prospectively examine the effects of liraglutide in those patients. Methods A total of 148 patients with T2DM were enrolled and treated with liraglutide (0.6 or 0.9 mg/day). 97 patients completed the 2-year study without protocol deviations. These patients were divided into 3 groups according to the baseline estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (in mL/min/1.73 m2): group A, ≥60 (n=39); group B, ≥30 to <60 (n=38); and group C, <30 (n=20). The changes in blood and urine variables, and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to 2 years were analyzed in each group. Primary outcomes were changes of the renal parameters of eGFR and albuminuria after the treatment of liraglutide. Results Blood glucose and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after 24 months of liraglutide treatment in all groups compared with baseline (p<0.05). The eGFR increased significantly in group B (p<0.05), and remained unchanged in groups A and C. Albuminuria and LVMI decreased significantly in all 3 groups compared with baseline (p<0.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that 2 years of liraglutide treatment in Japanese patients with T2DM and impaired renal function was effective in terms of suppressing the deterioration of renal function, and reducing albuminuria. Long-term liraglutide treatment also improved glycemic control and blood pressure, and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy in this study.
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