DUAL II China: Superior HbA1c reductions and weight loss with insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) versus insulin degludec in a randomized trial of Chinese people with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on basal insulin

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) versus insulin degludec (degludec) in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with basal insulin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In DUAL II China, a randomized, double‐blinded, multicentre, treat‐to‐target trial, Chinese adults with T2D and HbA1c of 7.5% or more on basal insulin and metformin, with or without other oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), were randomized 2:1 to 26 weeks of treatment with either IDegLira (max. dose 50 U degludec/1.8 mg liraglutide) or degludec (max. 50 U/day), respectively, combined with metformin. At 26 weeks, superiority of IDegLira over degludec was assessed for change in HbA1c (primary endpoint), and body weight and number of severe or blood glucose (BG)‐confirmed hypoglycaemic episodes (confirmatory secondary endpoints). RESULTS: Overall, 453 participants were randomized to IDegLira (n = 302) or degludec (n = 151). Superiority was confirmed for IDegLira over degludec in HbA1c change (−1.9% vs. −1.0%, respectively, estimated treatment difference [ETD] [95% confidence interval]: −0.92% [−1.09; −0.75], P < .0001), body weight change (−0.7 vs. +0.4 kg, respectively, ETD [95% CI]: −1.08 kg [−1.63; −0.52], P = .0002) and severe or BG‐confirmed hypoglycaemia (estimated rate ratio [95% CI]: 0.53 [0.30; 0.94], P = .0297). The odds of achieving HbA1c less than 7.0% without hypoglycaemia and/or weight gain were greater with IDegLira than degludec (P < .0001 for all). Daily insulin dose at 26 weeks was lower for IDegLira (34.3 U) than degludec (37.4 U) (P = .0014). No unexpected safety signals were observed. CONCLUSIONS: IDegLira may be an efficacious and well‐tolerated treatment intensification option for Chinese people with T2D uncontrolled on basal insulin and OADs.