Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis also experience an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease. To prevent progression of cardiovascular complications in DM patients, glycemic control is important. In this study, we examined the efficacy and safety of the glucagon-like peptide analog liraglutide for treating type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Sixteen type 2 diabetes patients on peritoneal dialysis were enrolled. Before liraglutide initiation, 11 patients were on insulin therapy, three were on oral antidiabetic agents, and two were on diet therapy. Of the 16 patients, 12 had switched to liraglutide because of severe hypoglycemia and four because of hyperglycemia. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 12 months after liraglutide initiation. Hemoglobin A1c, glycosylated albumin, and fasting/postprandial glucose levels gradually decreased after liraglutide initiation. After 6 and 12 months of treatment, postprandial glucose levels showed a significant difference from baseline. Moreover, the mean daily glucose level and glycemic fluctuations decreased. Systolic blood pressure upon waking also decreased. In addition, after 12 months, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased. Changes in LVMI positively correlated with morning systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. One patient restarted insulin because of anorexia but severe hypoglycemia was not observed. These findings suggest that liraglutide therapy in type 2 diabetes patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is safe and effective for decreasing glucose levels, glycemic fluctuations, and blood pressure, apart from improving left ventricular function.

Very few studies have ever examined the effects of long-term (>1 year) administration of liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and renal impairment. Therefore, we conducted a 2-year study to prospectively examine the effects of liraglutide in those patients. A total of 148 patients with T2DM were enrolled and treated with liraglutide (0.6 or 0.9 mg/day). 97 patients completed the 2-year study without protocol deviations. These patients were divided into 3 groups according to the baseline estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (in mL/min/1.73 m): group A, ≥60 (n=39); group B, ≥30 to <60 (n=38); and group C, <30 (n=20). The changes in blood and urine variables, and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to 2 years were analyzed in each group. Primary outcomes were changes of the renal parameters of eGFR and albuminuria after the treatment of liraglutide. Blood glucose and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly after 24 months of liraglutide treatment in all groups compared with baseline (p<0.05). The eGFR increased significantly in group B (p<0.05), and remained unchanged in groups A and C. Albuminuria and LVMI decreased significantly in all 3 groups compared with baseline (p<0.05). These findings suggest that 2 years of liraglutide treatment in Japanese patients with T2DM and impaired renal function was effective in terms of suppressing the deterioration of renal function, and reducing albuminuria. Long-term liraglutide treatment also improved glycemic control and blood pressure, and reduced left ventricular hypertrophy in this study.