Real-world effectiveness, adherence and persistence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating dulaglutide treatment

• Published in: Current medical research and opinion 2018-06, Vol.34 (6), p.995-1003
• Main Authors: Mody, Reema, Grabner, Michael, Yu, Maria, Turner, Ralph, Kwan, Anita Y. M., York, Whitney, Fernández Landó, Laura
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adherence; Dulaglutide; effectiveness; GLP-1 receptor agonists; HbA1c
• ISSN: 0300-7995; 1473-4877
• DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2017.1421146

Objectives: To assess glycemic effectiveness, adherence and persistence within 6 months of treatment initiation with dulaglutide, a once weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist, in a US real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective claims analysis included adults (≥18 years) with T2DM from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database, who had HbA1c laboratory results around initiation and within 6 months after initiation. Glycemic control was assessed by change in HbA1c from pre-initiation to post-initiation. Patients were considered adherent if their proportion of days covered (PDC) was ≥0.80; persistence was measured as days of continuous therapy from initiation to 6 months after initiation with no gaps >45 days between fills. Results: Of the 308 analyzed patients, the majority (n = 188; 61%) were adherent to dulaglutide (mean PDC 0.76; SD 0.26), with 115 patients (37%) discontinuing treatment. Mean persistence was 152 days/5 months. Mean HbA1c decreased from 8.49% (SD 1.70, median 8.20%) at baseline to 7.59% (SD 1.51, median 7.30%) at follow-up, corresponding to a mean HbA1c change of −0.90% (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.08 to −0.73; p