Efficacy and tolerability of exenatide once weekly versus sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective analysis of pooled clinical trial data

Exploring the association between type 2 diabetes and fecal incontinence in american adults: insights from a large cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between fecal incontinence (FI) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been well recognized, but a comprehensive understanding of this relationship is lacking, taking into account demographic factors and lifestyle variables.

METHODS

Using a cross-sectional approach, 13,510 adults aged 20 years and older were identified from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs), and further subgroup analyses and propensity score analysis were performed to ensure stable results.

RESULTS

Among 13,510 adults, 11.2% had T2D, and 8.8% had FI. We found a strong T2D-FI link (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.09-1.54, P < 0.001), even after adjusting for covariates. Age > 45 was a critical factor, with a stronger T2D-FI association. Sedentary behavior (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.15-1.73) in T2D patients were associated with FI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the significant T2D-FI link in US adults, especially in older T2D patients. Lifestyle changes may reduce FI risk. More research is needed for causality and mechanisms.

Exenatide Extended-Release: An Updated Review of Its Use in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Exenatide extended-release (exenatide ER) [Bydureon(®)] is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is injected subcutaneously by patients once weekly, with no dose titration required. This article updates an earlier review of exenatide ER in the management of type 2 diabetes, focusing on recently published data. In randomized, controlled trials, adjunctive exenatide ER 2 mg once weekly for 24-30 weeks significantly improved glycaemic control and reduced bodyweight in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes despite diet plus exercise and/or oral antihyperglycaemic drugs (OADs). These beneficial effects of exenatide ER were maintained after up to 6 years of treatment. In patients receiving one or more OADs, addition of exenatide ER provided better glycaemic control than an immediate-release formulation of exenatide (exenatide twice daily), sitagliptin, pioglitazone, insulin glargine or insulin detemir, and was slightly less effective than liraglutide. In patients treated with diet plus exercise alone, adjunctive exenatide ER was noninferior to metformin and superior to sitagliptin, but was not noninferior to pioglitazone. Exenatide ER was generally well tolerated, with a low inherent risk of hypoglycaemia. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate gastrointestinal events, injection-site reactions and headache. Thus, exenatide ER is a useful treatment option in the management of type 2 diabetes. It offers a convenient, once-weekly regimen and can be administered by patients via a pen injection system or syringes and needles.

Should sulfonylureas remain an acceptable first-line add-on to metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes? No, it's time to move on!

Since their introduction to clinical practice in the 1950s, sulfonylureas have been widely prescribed for use in patients with type 2 diabetes. Of all the other medications currently available for clinical use, only metformin has been used more frequently. However, several new drug classes have emerged that are reported to have equal glucose-lowering efficacy and greater safety when added to treatment of patients in whom metformin monotherapy is no longer sufficient. Moreover, current arguments also suggest that the alternative drugs may be superior to sulfonylureas with regard to the risk of cardiovascular complications. Thus, while there is universal agreement that metformin should remain the first-line pharmacologic therapy for those in whom lifestyle modification is insufficient to control hyperglycemia, there is no consensus as to which drug should be added to metformin. Therefore, given the current controversy, we provide a Point-Counterpoint on this issue. In the preceding point narrative, Dr. Abrahamson provides his argument suggesting that avoiding use of sulfonylureas as a class of medication as an add-on to metformin is not appropriate as there are many patients whose glycemic control would improve with use of these drugs with minimal risk of adverse events. In the counterpoint narrative below, Dr. Genuth suggests there is no longer a need for sulfonylureas to remain a first-line addition to metformin for those patients whose clinical characteristics are appropriate and whose health insurance and/or financial resources make an alternative drug affordable.

Managing Loss of Glycemic Control in Middle-Aged Patients With Diabetes: The Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Combination-Therapy Regimens

Middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may have languished on monotherapy or a stable therapy for a substantial period without reconsideration of comorbidities or current control of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). In many patients who lose glycemic control, postprandial hyperglycemia has not been addressed. This is especially true when HbA1c levels are close to—but not at—goal. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are injectable agents that can be added to oral therapy to address postprandial hyperglycemia. These agents may be a useful alternative to insulin therapy as add-on therapy when dual oral therapy is no longer sufficient and additional glucose lowering is required. Compared with insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists have provided comparable glucose lowering with less hypoglycemia and without weight gain.