- Data analyses show that people with Type 2 diabetes using GLP-1
medicines saw a significant improvement in their HbA1C after adding
FreeStyle Libre technology to their regimen
- Better HbA1c results were achieved irrespective of GLP-1
duration, GLP-1 type, or insulin therapy type
- FreeStyle Libre systems help people adhere to diabetes
treatment plans and support positive behavior changes by providing
real-time data that shows how food, activity and medication can
impact a person's glucose levels
ABBOTT
PARK, Ill., March 6,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today
announced new data from two real-world studies1, 2
showing people with Type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 medicines and
FreeStyle Libre technology together had greater improvement in
their HbA1c when compared to those treated with GLP-1 medicines
only. HbA1c is a measurement of a person's average blood glucose
level over three months. These findings were presented at the 17th
International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments
for Diabetes (ATTD) held in Florence,
Italy, on March 6, 2024.
GLP-1 medicines – also known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor
agonist (GLP-1 RA) - are increasingly being prescribed for people
with Type 2 diabetes as they provide glycemic benefit and support
weight loss. When blood sugar levels start to rise after
someone eats, these drugs stimulate the body to release more
insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels. They also reduce
appetite leading to less food intake and weight loss. Studies show
that reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight can make
diabetes more manageable.3
The two real-world studies presented at ATTD found:
- People with Type 2 diabetes and an HbA1C ≥8% while using GLP-1
medicines saw a significant improvement in their HbA1C (-1.5%), six
months after adding FreeStyle Libre technology to their treatment.
Results in this first study were irrespective of GLP-1 duration,
GLP-1 type or insulin therapy type1
- People had a greater reduction in HbA1c when using GLP-1 and
FreeStyle Libre technology together (-2.4%), compared to using
GLP-1 alone (-1.7%). The second study analyzed data from a cohort
of people on GLP-1 only and those on GLP-1 & FreeStyle Libre
systems therapies2
"The data analyses confirm that people using GLP-1 medicines to
manage their diabetes can achieve even better results when using it
together with FreeStyle Libre technology," said Dr.
Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical
officer for Abbott's diabetes care business. "This type of
complementary relationship is not uncommon in diabetes care
treatment. Similar to pairing with insulin therapy, FreeStyle Libre
technology is a beneficial companion to GLP-1 therapy, providing
the real-time data that people with diabetes can use to make
positive behavior changes and navigate their GLP-1 usage
safely."
"GLP-1 medicines can be very effective in lowering HbA1C for
people with Type 2 diabetes who require intensified treatment,"
said Dr. Eden Miller, diabetologist
and obesity medicine fellow at Diabetes and Obesity Care in
Bend, Oregon. "While treating my
patients, I've observed that when we've added a CGM, like the
FreeStyle Libre technology, to their GLP-1 therapy, we see even
better glycemic control. To maximize the benefits of GLP-1
medicines, it's worth considering the combination of a CGM to
support people who live with Type 2 diabetes."
Uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications
affecting the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nervous
system.4 Technology, such as the FreeStyle Libre
systems, enables people to see real-time changes in glucose levels
that can help them stick to the right therapy and lifestyle.
The FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems
include a sensor, which is applied to the back of the upper arm for
up to 15 days, paired with a reader or compatible smartphone app
that displays glucose readings. The Freestyle Libre technology is
the most widely used CGM system worldwide helping more than 5.5
million people living across more than 60 countries easily monitor
their glucose levels.
About the real-world studies1,2:
The first real-world study, entitled, "FreeStyle Libre improves
HbA1c in people receiving GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes," used
Optum's de-identified Market Clarity Data, a linked electronic
health records (EHR)-claims database and included US adults with
Type 2 diabetes and elevated HbA1c (≥8%) with their first FreeStyle
Libre acquisition between 2018 and 2022. Patients were
required to be on GLP-1 before initiating FreeStyle Libre, with at
least one GLP-1 prescription within 180 days of FreeStyle Libre.
GLP-1 initiation was defined as the earliest GLP-1 prescription
from 2017 onwards. Paired changes in HbA1c were assessed at six
months after initial FreeStyle Libre acquisition. The study cohort
included 1,781 adults with Type 2 diabetes (age 55±10 years, 52%
male, 38% with bolus insulin therapy, mean 499 days from GLP-1
initiation to FreeStyle Libre, and a baseline HbA1c of
9.8±1.5%).
The second real-world study, entitled, "Initiating GLP-1 therapy
in combination with FreeStyle Libre provides greater benefit
compared to GLP-1 therapy alone," also used Optum's de-identified
Market Clarity Data, and included US adults with Type 2 diabetes
and HbA1c ≥8% who acquired their first GLP-1 between 2018 and 2022.
The GLP-1 and FreeStyle Libre group subjects acquired their first
FreeStyle Libre sensor within ±30 days of their first GLP-1
acquisition.
Cohorts were matched on baseline insulin therapy, age, sex,
baseline HbA1c and GLP-1 type. Paired change in HbA1c was compared
between matched groups at six months. The study included
24,246 adults in the GLP-1 only group (age 58±12 years, 51% male)
and 478 adults in the GLP-1 and FreeStyle Libre group (age 54±11
years, 58% male).
Important Safety Information – FreeStyle Libre
Systems
Failure to use FreeStyle Libre systems as instructed in labeling
may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or
making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose
reading and alarms (if enabled) do not match symptoms or
expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter
for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or
contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or
freestyle.abbott/us-en/safety-information.html for safety info.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more
fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing
technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading
businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices,
nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues
serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com and
on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
References
1 Miller E et al. FreeStyle Libre improves HbA1c in
people receiving GLP-1 therapy for type 2 diabetes. Presented at
ATTD 2024.
2 Wright E et al. Initiating GLP-1 therapy in
combination with FreeStyle Libre provides greater benefit compared
to GLP-1 therapy alone. Presented at ATTD 2024.
3
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/healthy-weight.html
4 Denicolò S, Perco P, Thöni S, Mayer G.
Non-adherence to antidiabetic and cardiovascular drugs in type 2
diabetes mellitus and its association with renal and cardiovascular
outcomes: A narrative review. J Diabetes Complicat 2021;35:107931.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.107931
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