Introduction

Globally, diabetes is one of the evolving epidemics of the 21st century. As per the 9th edition of the International Diabetes Federation Atlas [1], over 463 million adults aged 20–79 years worldwide (9.3% of all adults in this age group) have type 1 or 2 diabetes. In 2019, India had the second largest number of patients aged 20–79 years with diabetes (77.0 million) among all countries and was anticipated to retain this ranking by 2030 (101 million) and 2045 (134.2 million). Over 90% of diabetes cases worldwide are due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [1], and its prevalence is rising exponentially across all regions, including India.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a higher mortality risk and are a leading cause of death in patients with T2DM worldwide. Common CVD manifestations include heart failure (HF), coronary heart disease, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and peripheral arterial disease [2]. In India, awareness on T2DM and its complications remains alarmingly poor. Identifying patients at risk of developing diabetes earlier and increased patient engagement via disease awareness and management practices could narrow the gap for effective management of T2DM in India, which was observed recently in a multicenter screening study for diabetes across all states and union territories of India [3].

Over the years, treatment safety in connection with diabetes-related CVD and CV complications has gained prominence, and novel treatments have targeted underlying disease-specific pathophysiology [4]. Effective glucose control in patients with T2DM has demonstrated a modest impact on CV benefit in the past, but the negative effects of rosiglitazone on CV outcomes in some studies [5] had resulted in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandate all new glucose-lowering medications to verify CV safety and mortality. The safety of medications should be further examined in T2DM populations with a high CV risk, including, but not limited to, CV mortality and stroke [6]. Nevertheless, the therapeutic strategy should be individualized by considering the presence of comorbidities, treatment objectives, and patient preferences [7].

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have been an important treatment option for T2DM over the last decade. Several clinical and real-world evidence scenarios with GLP-1 RAs have demonstrated effective glycemic control, weight loss, and a lower risk of hypoglycemia [8, 9]. Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs helped in achieving modest control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and lipid concentration reductions in a subset of patients [10] and minimized major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) risk in patients with T2DM or those with established CVD, thereby making them suitable contenders for patients with T2DM having an underlying CVD risk. Their use in the South Asian T2DM population, in whom there is a high prevalence of comorbidities, including obesity, CV risk, and renal issues [11], has demonstrated benefits extending beyond glycemic control. Several other GLP-1 RAs have been approved to date for subcutaneous (s.c.) use to treat T2DM, including liraglutide in 2009 (Europe) and 2010 (USA), exenatide ER in 2012, lixisenatide in 2013 (Europe) and 2016 (USA), dulaglutide in 2014, albiglutide in 2014 (Europe and USA), and semaglutide in 2017 (USA) and 2019 (Europe). In South Asia, the available GLP-1 RAs include dulaglutide (0.75 or 1.5 mg once weekly [q.w.]), liraglutide (1.2 or 1.8 mg once daily [o.d.]), lixisenatide (20 mcg o.d.), and semaglutide (0.5 or 1 mg q.w.), administered s.c. Of the GLP-1 RAs available globally, albiglutide is withdrawn from the market as of 2018. Semaglutide is the first GLP-1 RA to receive FDA approval for oral administration across the US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan [12]. In India, oral semaglutide is prescribed only by a registered endocrinologist or a qualified physician.

The guidelines by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) [13] recommend GLP-1 RA and/or sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) for treating high-risk individuals (those with CVD and chronic kidney disease [CKD]) independent of baseline or individualized glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) target. Likewise, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend GLP-1 RAs (or SGLT2is) as first-line treatment in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or those with an extremely high risk for ASCVD [14]. The ADA recommends GLP-1 RAs as a first line in ASCVD or high risk for ASCVD with or without metformin [7] and lifestyle management in T2DM patients, including those with or without a high risk of CVDs and those looking to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia or promote weight loss. Worldwide, diabetes associations recommend metformin monotherapy as the first-line drug to treat newly diagnosed T2DM and in combination with other treatments when glycemic targets are not achieved. Consensus recommendations from the South Asian Task Force endorse GLP-1 RAs as primary treatment options to manage patients with T2DM [11]. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines and algorithm recommends managing T2DM patients using various antidiabetic agents [15]. Nevertheless, there is a lack of consensus on specific treatment guidelines for GLP-1 RAs in the management of T2DM in India. Hence, there is room to decipher the therapeutic role and potential benefits of GLP-1 RAs in the Indian T2DM population to manage such patients more efficiently.

This report intends to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of GLP-1 RA in the Indian population with T2DM by formulating a critical appraisal of clinical evidence-based recommendations. These proposals will provide a first-hand guide and reference for primary-care physicians, clinicians, and healthcare professionals (HCPs), including diabetologists and endocrinology experts, in India to effectively manage T2DM patients with or without an underlying CVD risk.

Materials and methods

A panel consisting of eight HCPs converged during a 2-day National Insulin Summit organized virtually by the Diabetes Research Society (DIABAID) from December 12–13, 2020, at Hyderabad, India, to revisit and review evidences on GLP-1 RAs in managing T2DM patients. The HCPs included endocrinologists, pediatric endocrinologists, diabetologists, primary-care physicians, clinicians, and independent consultants, including a project coordinator/manager. The opinions of the panel members were considered in developing the document, which was based on their relevant expertise (at least 10 years of clinical experience), years of clinical practice, publications, and congress records of the panel members who were experts across the South, West, East, and North Indian regions and territories, ensuring pan-Indian coverage.

Panel opinions and discussions of published clinical evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, meta-analyses, diabetes guidelines and recommendations, opinion documents, position statements, and real-world clinical practice data on the use of GLP-1 RAs in the management of T2DM were used to develop the recommendations. The panel critically discussed, reviewed, and agreed upon the clinical and real-life evidence and recommendations based on their potential applicability to the Indian population.

The sponsor did not have any formal voting authority for the final recommendations and exercised no influence on the development of opinion statements by the experts.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

The panelists expressed their consent to participate in the opinion statement development via verbal communication or email. The recommendations were based on a virtual panel discussion without human subjects’ involvement, data, or animal experiments. Consequently, there was no ethical approval needed. The panelists were informed of the objective to formulate an opinion recommendation on the topic and the likelihood of a peer-reviewed journal publication.

Role of GLP-1 Ras — the medication we should know

This section summarizes the role of GLP-1 RAs and their standing among incretin-based therapies for managing patients with T2DM.

Being a multifactorial disease, it is well established that the effective management of T2DM depends on targeting the “ominous octet” of pathophysiological abnormalities causing hyperglycemia in such patients (Fig. 1) [16].

Figure 1. The Ominous Octet

DPP-4i — dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors; GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; SGLT2i — sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors; TZD — thiazolidinedione

Incretins, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract hormones, regulate body weight and maintain glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Released from the intestine after nutrient consumption, they perform a critical role by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon secretion by the pancreas [17]. Incretin-based therapies are being rapidly explored for T2DM treatment, including GLP-1 analogs and receptor agonists, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i). GLP-1 is one of the two known incretins produced by the L cells of the lower intestine after food intake. Their action, however, may be significantly impaired in the b-cells of T2DM patients compared with those without diabetes [18]. GLP-1 is rapidly degraded by DPP-4 after 1–2 min. Therefore, synthetic GLP-1 RAs resistant to DPP-4 degradation have been developed. In patients with T2DM, GLP-1 RAs have been shown to inhibit gastric emptying, thereby contributing to the blood-glucose-lowering properties of GLP-1 alongside insulin stimulation and suppression of glucagon secretion [19]. Compared with other DPP-4i, GLP-1 RAs are more effective in lowering blood glucose and help in reducing weight [20]. Furthermore, long-acting GLP-1 RAs induce prolonged exposure with effective GLP-1 RA concentrations and maintained over 24h or a week [21], reduce HbA1c more efficiently and cause similar weight reduction compared with short-acting GLP-1 RAs [20], incretins that cause a sharp rise in drug concentrations postinjection that decrease to lower levels after reaching the maximum limit within a few hours [22]. GLP-1 RAs are recommended by the ADA and EASD for T2DM management, along with DPP-4i. GLP-1 RAs are highly recommended in patients with CVD or high CV risk or those who need to lose weight [13]. Thus, GLP-1 RAs are considered effective in promoting insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion by targeting most of the defects associated with the pathogenesis of T2DM [16].

Panel recommendations

Why choose a GLP-1 RA?

This section describes the biological actions of GLP-1 RA and reasons to consider it as a potent therapeutic option for managing patients with T2DM. It briefly highlights the key characteristics of GLP-1 RAs.

The effects of GLP-1 RAs on insulin and glucagon secretion being glucose dependent, there is a considerably low risk of documented hypoglycemia when utilizing these drugs accompanied with a rapid reduction in HbA1c [20].

GLP-1 RAs improve b-cell glucose sensitivity, and effects can be observed within 8 h postinjection of GLP-1 RA (liraglutide) [23]; this effect can be maintained for 3 months (semaglutide) [24], and can persist for 3 years (exenatide) [25]. The pharmacokinetic properties of GLP-1 RAs indicate that short-acting GLP-1 RAs lead to intermittent exposure with highs and lows and have an insignificant drug concentration in between [26]. Compared with short-acting GLP-1 RAs, which essentially reduce postprandial glucose by delaying gastric emptying, long-acting GLP-1 RAs often result in constant medication exposure and maintain relative concentrations over 24 h and/or over a week, even if the interval between parenteral therapy is a day or a week [27]. This action of long-acting GLP-1 RAs is primarily due to an enhanced ability to decrease fasting glucose, improve compliance [26, 27], and reduce weight (LEAD-6, DURATION-6, HARMONY-7, AWARD-6, and LIRA-LIXI studies) [28–32] compared with short-acting GLP-1 RAs [28, 33, 34].

The benefits of GLP-1 RAs extend to a variety of nonglycemic clinical effects [19] (Fig. 2) To date, the available GLP-1 RAs (short-acting: exenatide twice daily [b.i.d.], lixisenatide o.d.; intermediate-acting: liraglutide o.d.; long-acting: exenatide extended-release q.w., semaglutide q.w., dulaglutide q.w., albiglutide q.w., all s.c. injections, and the first oral preparation, oral semaglutide, o.d.) have been examined in RCTs and cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs). The key characteristics and general features of the GLP-1 RAs are shown in Table 1. These GLP-1 RAs demonstrate specific action, distinguishing characteristics, and variable properties, thereby allowing individualized therapy for patients with T2DM, especially in India where the T2DM patient population is diverse and varied. The South Asian Task Force has defined the rationale for selecting patients with T2DM for GLP-1 RA therapy, which considers whether GLP-1 RA should be used as a monotherapy, dual/triple therapy, or in combination with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) with or without insulin [11]. Their recommendation could be helpful for Indian patients while initiating treatment with GLP-1 RAs. Nevertheless, there is a lack of consensus on using GLP-1 RAs among HCPs in India, which primarily considers affordability an essential factor when recommending GLP-1 RAs [35].

Figure 2. Nonglycemic Actions of GLP-1 RAs

b-cell — beta-cell; CNS — central nervous system; GI — gastrointestinal; GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; HbA1c — glycated hemoglobin; MACE — major adverse cardiovascular events

Individual GLP-1 RAs are available as injections and prefilled pen devices for single or multiple uses. Concerning technical requirements, variability is observed across injection devices. The ease of using such injections and pen devices forms one of the primary criteria for achieving tighter treatment adherence [32]. Over 23% of cases with diabetes and uncontrolled HbA1c, blood pressure, or lipid levels have been linked with poor medication adherence approaches [36], which is primarily driven by patient medication preferences due to the convenience of usage. The future options of therapy include exploring noninvasive and convenient techniques via the oral route of peptides for improved patient compliance, early treatment commencement, addressing challenges with s.c. administration, and achieving better patient outcomes. The breakthrough in the GLP-1 RA drug class is the development of the “first in its class” oral semaglutide that offers increased patient medication compliance. With evolving diabetes technology, a variety of websites, software programs, and applications are available to assist health care professionals and patients in incorporating diabetes technology into their diabetes management schedules. Education and counseling from healthcare providers are critical for diabetics who are not on the HbA1c target.

Panel recommendations

GLP-1 RAs as the favored antidiabetic medication

This section briefly describes the CV and cardioprotective benefits offered by GLP-1 RAs in patients with T2DM. It showcases why this drug class should be considered the mainstay of treatment for T2DM.

The advanced treatment strategy for T2DM focuses on medications that may achieve tighter glycemic control without the risk of hypoglycemia, reduce weight, have a broader impact on CV risk reduction, renal benefits, decrease blood pressure, correct diabetic dyslipidemia, and reduce the time to MACEs. This shift in treatment strategy beyond glucose control will likely result in a sustained benefit to the T2DM management process [14, 37]. Thus, the vasculo-gluco-centric approach is an innovative way forward with new-age antidiabetic drugs.

When comparing the licensed antidiabetic drugs, GLP-1 RAs demonstrate significant or equivalent benefits over other antidiabetic medications (Tab. 2). The multifactorial benefits with GLP-1 RAs are briefly summarized below.

Glycemic control

GLP-1 RAs offer superior glycemic benefits in managing T2DM by reducing HbA1c levels. On the basis of the data from RCTs and CVOTs, both long- and short-acting GLP-1 RAs demonstrate benefits across the profiles of patients with T2DM, keeping in mind differences in study design, biological effects, duration of action, and their effects on fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels (Tab. 3). Long-acting GLP-1 RAs demonstrate significant reductions in fasting plasma glucose by stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion, and short-acting agents show substantial decreases in postprandial glucose mainly due to slow gastric emptying [26]. Briefly, significant but variable HbA1c reductions were observed across multiple GLP-1 RA dosages either as monotherapy or in combination with other OADs. These differences observed between long- and short-acting GLP-1 RAs are due to their variable half-lives and mechanisms of action [26]. The proportions of patients with T2DM presenting hypoglycemic cases across various RCTs and CVOTs with GLP-1 RAs are shown in Table 4. It was observed that when combined with sulfonylureas (SU), a higher incidence of hypoglycemia was noted with several GLP-1 RAs.

Weight control

Besides blood glucose levels, GLP-1 RAs are also characterized by bodyweight reduction. Losing 5% of body fat is clinically significant in patients with obesity and improves obesity-related complications, including impaired glucose metabolism [38]. Established evidence suggests a strong link between increased bodyweight and impaired secretion and action of incretins; individuals with obesity and T2DM have demonstrated reduced incretin effects [39, 40]. The weight loss benefit observed with GLP-1 RAs is primarily due to decreased appetite, reduced body fat, and improved endothelial function [41]. The details of GLP-1 RAs’ benefits on bodyweight reduction are shown in Table 3. Compared with the glucose-lowering effects, there is no significant difference in body weight loss between short- and long-acting GLP-1 RAs. In a randomized crossover study in patients with obesity and T2DM, liraglutide resulted in reduced central nervous system activation, suggesting their role in weight loss induction but not its maintenance [42]. Moreover, in patients with obesity and prediabetes or those with T2DM, a decrease in visceral fat was observed using GLP-1 RAs [43, 44]. A meta-analysis of eight RCTs demonstrated that using GLP-1 RAs reduced body mass index (BMI), SBP, triglyceride levels, and waist circumference in overweight or obese individuals [45]. Although GLP-1 RAs play a significant role in managing weight in individuals with T2DM, approval for obesity treatment has only been granted to liraglutide (3.0 mg) by the FDA and EMA and semaglutide (2.4 mg) s.c. injection by the FDA. A rapidly emerging and effective GLP-1 RA that promotes weight loss is oral semaglutide, which has demonstrated a significant weight loss in patients versus placebo.

Liver health

GLP-1 RAs have a positive impact on hepatic health, especially for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) [46]. Over two-thirds of patients with diabetes present with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is the global cause of chronic liver disease with a prevalence of 90% in morbidly obese patients [47]. A meta-analysis of 946 patients with NAFLD demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs reduced BMI, steatosis, and alanine transferase levels [48]. Drugs such as dulaglutide, liraglutide, exenatide, lixisenatide, and semaglutide have been investigated to manage NAFLD [46, 49]. Liraglutide and exenatide have demonstrated considerable liver function test and histological improvements, resulting in reduced hepatic and visceral fat accumulation [26]. Of these GLP-1 RAs, semaglutide is considered the most promising for treating NAFLD due to its role in preventing CV events [49]. Although favorable outcomes were observed, further long-term studies with robust evidence are needed to prove the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs for NASH/NAFLD treatment and whether it may have a potential for reducing hepatic fibrosis.

Lipid profile

GLP-1 RAs have reportedly improved lipid profiles across various RCTs and CVOTs (Tab. 5). Lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides levels have also been observed [10]. From a clinical viewpoint, a slight improvement in the lipid profile of T2DM patients can have a significant impact. A meta-analysis showed reductions in LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels but not high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with GLP-1 RA treatment. However, the mechanisms of these changes remain vague and needs further exploration.

Blood pressure reduction

GLP-1 RAs also reduce SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The use of GLP-1 RAs has shown to decrease SBP by 2–5 mmHg, but this effect is inconsistently demonstrated with DBP. BP reductions have also been observed in patients with T2DM and hypertension independent of weight loss. A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 60 trials showed that GLP-1 RA treatment resulted in a modest reduction in SBP and DBP compared with placebo, insulin, and SU, with a minor increase in heart rate [50].

CV benefits

Postprandial endothelial function improved with exenatide b.i.d [51]. Improved CV health was observed when using GLP-1 RA, with a reduction in dyslipidemia and arterial hypertension risk factors. Blood glucose control, body weight reduction, and improvement of BP and lipid profiles enhance the beneficial response of GLP-1 RAs on CV outcomes. Favorable effects were observed on cardiac function and coronary ischemia, thereby delaying or preventing atherosclerosis, and also improving renal function (Fig. 3) [52].

GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; GFR — glomerular filtration rate; LDL — low-density lipoprotein

Following guidance from regulatory bodies (FDA and EMA), several CVOTs have been conducted to examine the safety and tolerability of GLP-1 RAs, which include ELIXA (lixisenatide) [53], LEADER (liraglutide) [54], SUSTAIN (injectable semaglutide) [55] EXSCEL (exenatide ER) [56], HARMONY (albiglutide) [57], REWIND (dulaglutide) [58], and PIONEER 6 (oral semaglutide) [59]. A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence from CVOTs with a total of 56,004 participants did not identify an increased risk of HF in such patients (reducing all-cause mortality by 12% and hospital admission for HF by 9%) [60]. However, in some instances, inconsistent effects were observed regarding the risk of hospitalization for congestive HF. Currently, European and American guidelines state GLP-1 RA may be considered in patients with T2DM and HF if SGLT-2i not tolerated or contraindicated. [13, 14]. Globally, CVOTs have not demonstrated an increased risk of MACEs using s.c. GLP-1 RAs. The data for the changes in the time to MACE, such as the first nonfatal acute MI, nonfatal stroke, cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, or hospitalization for congestive HF, comparing GLP-1 RAs and placebo have been described previously [21]. Lixisenatide had no effects on MACEs, all-cause mortality, and hospitalization for HF (ELIXA trial). Other GLP-1 RAs showed either a 12–26% reduction or some reducing trend in MACEs [53–59]. Three GLP-1 RAs (liraglutide, dulaglutide, and semaglutide) have proven benefits in reducing the risk of MACEs in high-risk CVD patients or those with established CVD [61]. Meanwhile, lixisenatide and exenatide demonstrated a neutral effect on the CV system. A predictive model in a meta-analysis of GP-1 RA CVOTs showed a favorable number needed to treat with liraglutide and semaglutide (except for lixisenatide, which had a negative number needed to treat or number needed to harm; Fig. 4) [62]. In a meta-analysis, a random-effects model estimated the overall hazard ratios for MACE and its components, such as death from any causes, HF-related hospital admissions, and crucial safety outcomes (severe hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer), and showed beneficial effects with GLP-1 RAs on CV outcomes [60]. Moreover, the CV benefits of GLP-1 RAs make them a preferred treatment for patients with pre-existing ASCVD [63]. Recently, oral semaglutide formulation has been introduced in the market and is used extensively in managing patients with T2DM as it has a low risk of hypoglycemia and enhanced CV benefits. Taken together, the currently approved GLP-1 RAs offer an effective treatment option for obese patients with T2DM at a high risk or with an underlying CVD. However, future long-term studies are needed to add to the growing evidence.

Figure 4. Numbers Needed to Treat for GLP-1 RAs

GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; NNT — numbers needed to treat; OD — once daily; OW — once weekly; PO — by mouth

Renal health

A meta-analysis to estimate the overall hazard ratios for kidney and key safety outcomes (severe hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer) showed that GLP-1 RAs reduced the overall composite kidney outcomes (new-onset macroalbuminuria progression, estimated glomerular filtration rate decline [or increase in creatinine], end-stage kidney disease progression, or death due to kidney causes) by 17% mainly due to a reduction in urinary albumin excretion [60]. However, for some GLP-1 RAs, caution is needed while using them in patients with renal impairment. In patients with mild renal impairment, as per the European labeling, dose adjustment for GLP-1 RAs is not needed, but some cannot be used or are not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment and end-stage disease [12], with exceptions such as dulaglutide, liraglutide, and semaglutide, which can be used in severe renal impairment but not end-stage renal disease. In the PIONEER 5 trial, oral semaglutide demonstrated effectiveness in T2DM patients with moderate renal impairment, thereby offering a new treatment option [64]. Moreover, oral semaglutide can be used at all stages of CKD as per the FDA label.

Special populations

The use of GLP-1 RAs has been described in adolescents, the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, and those with polycystic ovary syndrome by the South Asian Task Force [11].

Safety and tolerability

The most common adverse events with GLP-1 RAs are gastrointestinal, that is, primarily nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea [7]. In addition, they are associated with an increased heart rate, typically by 2–3 beats per minute [11], although the clinical relevance of such effects is uncertain [10]. It has been suggested that increases in heart rate may imply a need for caution in HF patients with cardiac arrhythmias. The doses, indications, dose modifications, contraindications, and adverse effects of GLP-1 RAs with demonstrated CV benefits are summarized in Table 6. GLP-1 RAs seem to improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2D compared with oral glucose-lowering drugs but with increased frequency of gastrointestinal events [9]. Nevertheless, all such events are typically mild to moderate and occur only during the first week of treatment [8]. Overall, the diverse outcomes and effects observed across GLP-1 RAs highlight the need for individualized care with these drugs classes.

Panel recommendations

Therapeutic inertia and treatment adherence with GLP-1 Ras

This section emphasizes the need for GLP-1 RA treatment intensification and the challenges related to medication adherence and overcoming those challenges.

T2DM treatment involves multiple parameters due to the complexity of managing the disease, which involve medications and comorbidities, patient lifestyle, profile, duration of the disease, site of action, pharmacological approaches, and adherence or persistence to medication. Globally, medication adherence has been challenging for patients with several chronic diseases [65]. Similarly, adherence to s.c. GLP-1 RAs is reportedly suboptimal [66, 67]. This is a primary concern, especially when it is evident that strict adherence to GLP-1 RAs may result in significant glycemic control [66, 68]. Factors that may affect medication adherence include, but are not limited to, frequency of administration, side effects, efficacy, device type, and affordability [69]. Thus, adherence to treatment is causally linked with improved glycemic control and vice versa.

Clinical inertia affects medication adherence. An inverse correlation is observed between adherence to medication and clinical inertia, and higher compliance is associated with appropriate treatment intensification [70]. Regarding treatment strategies for improved management of patients with T2DM and for reaching recommended HbA1c targets, international guidelines call for intensification of antidiabetic medications, which seem to vary based on the patient’s preferences, characteristics, comorbidities, and hypoglycemia risk [7]. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of the T2DM population fails to accomplish their recommended targets, thereby adding to the glycemic burden. This delay in treatment initiation and intensification, known as treatment inertia or clinical inertia, poses a significant risk of diseases and comorbidities associated with T2DM. The terms treatment and clinical inertia are often used interchangeably. There is a growing consensus on improving compliance with T2DM treatment and increasing medication adherence with timely/early initiation of treatment to minimize risks associated with T2DM. [71] Data from the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink showed that in patients with HbA1c ≥ 7%, a year’s delay in receiving treatment intensification was associated with significantly increased risk of MI, HF, composite CV events, and stroke by 67%, 64%, 62%, and 51%, respectively [72].

There is a need for overcoming inertia by education and awareness, optimizing care and treatment for such patients, and leveraging available tools and technologies. Barriers to improved and early treatment access are primarily based on physicians’ lack of novel drug awareness, perception of the drug, ease of handling a drug, and preference for using a drug for several years, making it easier for them to predict outcomes [73]. In an analysis of the Scottish Care Information Diabetes registry, which included observational data from 248,400 patients with diabetes, the use of GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2is was low, irrespective of the patient’s history of CVD [74]. Furthermore, lesser exposure and limited knowledge of T2DM associated with CVD and renal disease may lead to unawareness of the cardiorenal benefits of SGLT2is and GLP-1 RAs among the primary-care physicians [75] compared to a specialist. Nevertheless, clinical inertia for glycemic control is noted even among specialists [76], which calls for a coordinated action plan to improve outcomes. A group of physicians has drafted a clinical manifesto to overcome clinical inertia by rethinking treatment algorithms to reduce CV events and hospitalizations due to HF and to delay the progression of renal disease in patients with T2DM (Fig. 5) [73]. The expected economic and societal benefits of overcoming clinical inertia [77] include reducing the costs of disease-related complications, enabling effective treatment in primary care, avoiding the use of insufficiently effective OADs, achieving better quality of life for such patients, and increasing event-free life years. To overcome the clinical inertia barrier, allowing personalization of treatment and reducing the treatment burden using oral medications earlier in the treatment schedule could be a preferred option by both patients and physicians.

CKD — chronic kidney disease; CV — cardiovascular; DPP-4i — dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor; eGFR — estimated glomerular filtration rate; GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; HbA1c — glycated hemoglobin; HF — heart failure; OAD — oral antidiabetes drug; SGLT2i — sodium–glucose transporter-2 inhibitor; SU — sulfonylurea; T2D — type 2 diabetes; TZD — thiazolidinediones

Panel recommendations

Cost-effectiveness and affordability of GLP-1 RAs

This section summarizes the cost-effectiveness of the current GLP-1 RAs and considerations for its wider use based on affordability.

The cost of antidiabetic drugs may play a crucial barrier that prevents its access to vulnerable populations. Challenging reimbursement processes in countries may also lead to nonadherence [78]. These barriers may prevent HCPs from prescribing drugs that are perceived expensive compared with others that may be more accessible, thereby preventing patients from accessing appropriate drugs.

Reimbursement laws within each country, challenges with acknowledgment, and awareness of the novel antidiabetic drugs such as GLP-1 RAs could further alienate such novel treatment options as a part of the standard of care by the respective authorities’ reimbursement plan. The South Asian Task Force has already identified the cost of GLP-1 RAs as a significant barrier in the region, including India, which does not have government support for reimbursement due to lack of such policies. Hence, patients have to pay out of pocket [79]. By contrast, GLP-1 RAs are cost-effective when keeping the long-term benefits in mind. A French study on GLP-1 RA cost-effectiveness estimated the expected lifetime direct medical costs and outcomes from the perspective of the French National Health Service. The study found that dulaglutide 1.5 mg reduced the expected costs and increased the expected quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) compared with exenatide q.w. Further health benefits offered by the drug may result in payers’ expense savings [80]. Huetson et al. offered an improved perspective for the long-term cost-effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs by showcasing benefits in QALYs and reduced lifetime healthcare costs [81].

A systematic literature review of cost-effectiveness analysis compared semaglutide q.w. with other GLP-1 RAs. Overall, semaglutide effectively brought patients to each endpoint resulting in higher cost-of-control for dulaglutide and other GLP-1 RAs over a year. Semaglutide resulted in more QALYs gained and, which suggested a dominant or highly cost-effective treatment unlike dulaglutide and other GLP-1 RAs [82]. A UK-based analysis evaluated the long-term cost-effectiveness of semaglutide 1 mg q.w. versus liraglutide 1.2 mg o.d. from a UK healthcare payer perspective. Semaglutide demonstrated increased discounted life expectancy (0.21 years) and discounted quality-adjusted life expectancy (0.30 quality-adjusted life-years). Owing to decreased diabetes-related complications, particularly CVD, clinical benefits were accomplished at lower costs, with lifetime cost savings observed with semaglutide versus liraglutide [83]. Another UK-based cost analysis study demonstrated that semaglutide 1 mg q.w. offered a premium cost of control compared with exenatide extended-release 2 mg, dulaglutide 1.5 mg, and liraglutide 1.2 mg in achieving clinically relevant, single, and composite endpoints, thereby offering a good value for money [84]. Meanwhile, a Swedish cost-effectiveness analysis study showed that semaglutide 1 mg q.w. was cost-effective for treating T2DM in inadequately controlled patients on metformin or basal insulin, addressing the need of many current Swedish clinicians, patients, and payers [85]. The budget impact of a treatment pathway was evaluated using oral semaglutide 14 mg daily versus oral sitagliptin 100 mg daily among patients unable to achieve their HbA1c target regardless of treatment with metformin. After over 5 years, patients on sitagliptin 100 mg who received oral semaglutide showed a substantial budget impact increase over those whose blood glucose level was uncontrolled with metformin [86].

Panel recommendations

Diabetes guideline recommendations — more uniform perspectives needed

Although there are some differences, there are also many similarities between the guidelines. However, the absence of a globally accepted and uniform policy for managing T2DM, emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach among HCPs and primary-care physicians to arrive at a universally accepted guideline for T2DM.

Currently, global guidelines for the management of T2DM are not uniform, with a scope of improvement between the involved organizations/parties. This discordance often leads to varied geographical practices that could lead to mixed outcomes. The guidelines are also variable based on the physician’s clinical practicing style and preferences.

The ADA’s current clinical practice recommendations emphasize that GLP-1 RAs are preferred over insulin. In patients with a high risk of or established ASCVD, HF, or CKD, SGLT2s or GLP-1 RAs are preferred over metformin independent of HbA1c [7]. On the basis of the research findings from CVOTs in 2019, the ADA-EASD briefly updated their 2018 recommendations on the management of hyperglycemia. It was recommended that in high-risk individuals with T2DM, the decision to treat with a GLP-1 RA or SGLT2i to reduce MACEs, HF, CV death, or CKD progression should be considered independently of baseline HbA1c or individualized HbA1c targets [13]. The ADA and EASD consensus report highlighted the strategy that focused on T2DM patients with established ASCVD, HF, or progressive CKD, implying a transition from current algorithms primarily based on glycemic control to a more comprehensive CV protection strategy, including HF and renal protection. [13] The 2019 ESC guidelines on diabetes, prediabetes, and CVD developed in collaboration with the EASD, which were updated briefly from the 2013 ESC guidelines, recommended liraglutide, semaglutide, or dulaglutide for T2DM and CVD patients or those with high/very high CV risk to reduce CV events (Class 1a) [14].

In India, apart from the ICMR 2018 guidelines [15] for T2DM (which follows the ADA guidelines), there is no uniform or recent recommendation for managing T2DM patients. Furthermore, frequent updates of the guidelines via emerging evidence could confuse primary-care physicians and HCPs who may not be abreast with such frequently changing practices and recommendations. Hence, there is a need for increased collaboration and dialogue between diabetologists, endocrinologists, specialists, and primary-care physicians to arrive at globally and uniformly accepted guidelines for T2DM, especially in India.

Panel recommendations

Repositioning GLP-1 RAs in the Indian healthcare system

This section briefly reiterates why we should reposition GLP-1 RAs in the Indian context and how this could benefit the T2DM population.

Unlike other countries, the Indian healthcare system has the flexibility for the patient to approach a physician at any tier, from primary to tertiary. This offers the opportunity of bringing the best medication early in the therapy, mitigating or slowing down the complications associated with T2DM, and making way for shared decision-making. This approach could benefit both patients and HCPs who can work together toward better management practices.

Oral semaglutide as the first-line therapy for T2DM: relevance from the Asian Indian patient perspective

This section outlines the novel and first of its kind oral GLP-1 RA that offers several benefits over other antidiabetic drugs and how this could be integrated with the current treatment algorithm for managing patients with T2DM.

Barriers to s.c. GLP-1 RA therapy in patients with T2DM include the perceived difficulty of use and fear of its method of administration. As described previously, this perception often affects medication compliance and adherence. Oral GLP-1 RAs have been a novel addition to the growing class of antidiabetic treatment options in T2DM. The most recently approved oral GLP-1 RA, semaglutide, has shown glycemic and CV benefits without weight gain and enhances adherence in patients with T2DM, making them an attractive option for primary-care physicians. Oral semaglutide has been approved for use by the FDA, EMA, Health Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan to improve glycemic control in adults with T2DM as an adjunct to diet and exercise. It is available as a 3 mg initiation dose and 7/14 mg maintenance dose. The absorption enhancer sodium N-(8-[hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate increases GLP-1 RAs’ absorption in the stomach by protecting its degradation [87].

The risk–benefit profile of oral semaglutide has been observed in the Phase III PIONEER trials (PIONEER 1–10) that evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral semaglutide o.d. in 9,543 patients with T2DM, of whom 5,707 received oral semaglutide (Tab. 7) [59, 64, 88–95]. The trials have established the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in patients with T2DM. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, oral semaglutide is possibly more cost-effective than most GLP-1 RAs in the US market [96]. For the UK market, oral semaglutide 14 mg was more cost-effective compared with sitagliptin 100 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg and superior as compared to liraglutide 1.8 mg daily dose for T2DM. The cost-effectiveness ratio per QALY was reported as GBP 11,006 versus empagliflozin and GBP 4,930 versus sitagliptin [97]. Using a microsimulation model based primarily on the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Outcomes Model 2 equations, the lifetime cost-effectiveness of oral semaglutide added to the current antihyperglycemic treatment for T2DM in the US showed that oral semaglutide was more cost-effective compared with liraglutide and had incremental cost-effectiveness ratios between $100,000 and $150,000 per QALY versus sitagliptin and background therapy alone. However, these thresholds were not met versus empagliflozin [98]. On the basis of the PIONEER clinical trials 2, 3, and 4, the long-term cost-effectiveness of novel oral semaglutide versus empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and injectable liraglutide showed that oral semaglutide 14 mg was considered more cost-effective compared with empagliflozin 25 mg and sitagliptin 100 mg and superior as compared with liraglutide 1.8 mg for the treatment of T2DM in the Netherlands [99]. Overall, other real-world studies are needed to further elucidate the potential cost-effectiveness of oral semaglutide from a cost–benefit perspective, especially in developing countries, including India.

On the basis of the established drug’s benefits, GLP-1 RA could emerge as the first-line therapy for T2DM associated with obesity and ASCVD [12]. From an acceptability perspective, as part of the international treatment recommendation guidelines for the management of T2DM, a practical algorithm has been developed for primary-care physicians who are considering prescribing oral semaglutide aligned with global recommendations (Fig. 6) [100]. Oral medication, on the other hand, has few drawbacks. Oral semaglutide must be taken on an empty stomach with only 4 ounces of water and no food, drink, or medication for at least 30 minutes afterward. The pills cannot be broken or crushed in any way. If not taken correctly, the absorption will be poor, and the benefits will be lost. It’s critical to provide instruction and counseling on how to take this drug, and it’s not always possible for people to take it and then wait 30 minutes before taking any other medications.

ASCVD — atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; CKD — chronic kidney disease; CVOT — cardiovascular outcomes trial; eGFR — estimated glomerular filtration rate; HbA1c — glycated hemoglobin; HF — heart failure; HfrEF — heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; GLP-1 RA — glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; LVEF — left ventricular ejection fraction; SGLT2i — sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors; UACR — urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio

Panel recommendations

Conclusions/Overall recommendations

Considering the rapid research advances and progress in managing patients with T2DM, there has been a shift in its treatment strategy and approach from a predominantly gluco-centric approach to a vasculo-gluco-centric one. The following recommendations are considered pertinent based on the GLP-1 RA profiles and evidence to support the effective management of patients with T2DM.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Nihal provided in-depth editorial suggestions and changes for the improvement of the draft. All authors reviewed the manuscript and provided approval for submission of the manuscript. The authors would also like to thank Md. Najeeb Ashraf for medical writing assistance and Raghuraj Puthige for editorial assistance from Enago LifeSciences, India in accordance with good publication practices (GPP3) guidelines.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

This workshop was conducted as a part of National Insulin Summit 2020. The National Insulin Summit is conducted by DIABAID, which is an independent diabetes research society.