Effect of pramlintide on weight in overweight and obese insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients.

OBJECTIVE

Several randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes have shown that adjunctive therapy with pramlintide reduces hemoglobin (Hb)A1c with concomitant weight loss. This analysis further characterizes the weight-lowering effect of pramlintide in this patient population.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This pooled post hoc analysis of two long-term trials included all patients who were overweight/obese at baseline (BMI > 25 kg/m2), and who were treated with either 120 microg pramlintide BID (n = 254; HbA1c 9.2%; weight, 96.1 kg) or placebo (n = 244; HbA1c 9.4%; weight, 95.0 kg). Statistical endpoints included changes from baseline to week 26 in HbA1c, body weight, and insulin use.

RESULTS

Pramlintide treatment resulted in significant reductions from baseline to week 26, compared with placebo, in HbA1c and body weight (both, p < 0.0001), for placebo-corrected reductions of -0.41% and -1.8 kg, respectively. Approximately three times the number of patients using pramlintide experienced a > or = 5% reduction of body weight than with placebo (9% vs. 3%, p = 0.0005). Patients using pramlintide also experienced a proportionate decrease in total daily insulin use (r = 0.39, p < 0.0001). The greatest placebo-corrected reductions in weight at week 26 were observed in pramlintide-treated patients with a BMI >40 kg/m2 and in those concomitantly treated with metformin (both, p < 0.001), for placebo-corrected reductions of -3.2 kg and -2.5 kg, respectively.

DISCUSSION: These findings support further evaluation of the weight-lowering potential of pramlintide in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.