Elamin Ibrahim Elamin Abdelgadir, Alaaeldin MK Bashier, Fatheya F Al Awadi, Ahmed Tarig Eltinay, Mohamed Abdelatif Elsayed, Azza Abdulaziz Khalifa, Fauzia Rashid and Suada Makeen
Background: The pathogenetic mechanisms underlying type2 diabetes are quite complex and differ between different ethnic groups. This might results in different responses to medications. Data from LEAD trials showed that liraglutide was associated with significant reduction in weight HbA1c and blood pressure values. Unfortunately there are no enough data on Arab population. Objectives: We aimed to assess the changes in blood pressure, lipids profile, and liver function test upon starting liraglutide and after 6 months of therapy in Arab patients with type 2 diabetes as primary objective. Results: 365 agreed to sign an informed consent. 29% of the studied population was males (n=106) compared to 71% females (n=259). There was no significant change in systolic blood pressure, however average diastolic blood pressure improved significantly (74.4 ± 10 to 72 ± 9 mmHg at 6 months P<0.001). Significantly lower average diastolic BP was seen in Insulin users at both start and the end of the study (73+4 vs. 76+4 P=0.05, and (71+ 5 vs.73+4.6) p=0.02, respectively). Mean AST and ALT was within normal range at baseline and despite that there was a highly significant reduction between baseline and end of study 29+18 to 25.7+ 13 and 25.1 + 20 to 22.2+ 16 for ALT and AST, respectively. Both of them showed highly significant P value (0.0000). There was a significant reduction in weight and HbA1c at 6 months. However the change in weight was more significant in insulin users compared to those who did not use insulin (96+3 to 93+5 vs. 93 +5 to 98+3.5, P-value at the end of the study was 0.02). The HbA1c reduction was significant irrespective of weight loss. Conclusion: Liraglutide showed remarkable improvement in weight, HbA1c, liver enzymes, and diastolic blood pressure. Patients who used insulin at base line had better results in weight and lipids reduction.