Short-Term Real-World Clinical Outcomes of the Fixed-Ratio Combination of Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide in Type 2 Diabetes
Short-Term Outcomes of Insulin Glargine/Lixisenatide in Type 2 Diabetes
Keywords:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin glargine/lixisenatide fixed-ratio combination, glycemic control, FIB-4 score, body weightAbstract
Objective: To assess the short-term real-world effects of the fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) on glycemic control, body weight, insulin requirements, and the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Methods: This retrospective study screened 122 adults initiated on iGlarLixi between January 1 and April 1, 2025. After excluding 40 patients who were receiving additional antidiabetic therapy and 12 who discontinued treatment due to intolerance or loss to follow-up, 70 patients were included in the final analysis. Body weight, body mass index, HbA1c, daily insulin dose, and FIB-4 were recorded at baseline and at 3 months. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for continuous variables, and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used for categorical outcomes.
Results: Median age was 57 years, and 85.7% were female. Median baseline HbA1c was 9.05%, and the median FIB-4 was 0.91. At 3 months, weight decreased from 106.5 to 104 kg (p < 0.001), HbA1c decreased from 9.05% to 8.4% (p < 0.001), and insulin dose decreased from 27 to 24 U/day (p < 0.001). FIB-4 decreased modestly but significantly, from 0.91 to 0.85 (p = 0.03). In patients who added iGlarLixi to oral therapy, weight, HbA1c, and FIB-4 improved significantly (all p < 0.03). Among those switching from basal insulin to iGlarLixi, HbA1c and insulin dose decreased (both p < 0.001); weight change was minimal; and FIB-4 was unchanged (p = 0.308). Gastrointestinal adverse events occurred in 10% of cases; they were mild to moderate, and did not lead to discontinuation.
CONCLUSION: iGlarLixi improved glycemic control, reduced insulin requirements, and promoted weight loss in adults with poorly controlled T2DM. When added to oral antidiabetic therapy, iGlarLixi was also associated with a modest but significant reduction in FIB-4, suggesting potential benefits for the liver.
