Comparing Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Using Dulaglutide and Liraglutide

Abstract

Background and Aims: WHO has defined quality of life as individuals perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. The quality of life evaluation is seen as an important aspect of care of diabetes mellitus 1. In this context it is imperative to study how new agents will affect the quality of life. In this study we have compared the quality of life of patients using dulaglutide and liraglutide. Deign and Method: We have used a simple self-administered patient centered quality of life (PCQoL) measure that is based on general and diabetes related life. This tool has shown to strongly correlate with the established reference scorings system, diabetes related quality of life (DQoL) score, developed for the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial 2,3. Sixty eligible patients on oral hypoglycaemic agents and Dulaglutide (N:30) or Liraglutide (N:30) formed the study group. All study subjects were on steady dose of GLP 1 RA for at least six months before they took two part quality of life (general and diabetes related) questionnaire during their hospital visit. In each part, subjects nominated five facets of life, judged to be important to them for quality of life (most important rated 5). Each aspect was then weighted by the patient for their current level of satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale (5, completely satisfied; 1, not at all satisfied), and a total score was calculated. Groups were matched for for age, sex, diabetes duration, comorbidities and HbA1C. The means were compared with Student’s t test.Results: The quality of life scores were better for dulaglutide than for liraglutide treated subjects (mean [SD] PCQoL: 66 [61–70] vs 56 [52 - 60], p < 0.05).Discussion: In the diabetes management strategy, a primary therapeutic goal is to address and better the quality of life. In this study we have established that once weekly Dulaglutide offers better quality of life than daily injections of Liraglutide. PCQoL is a patient centered quality of life measurement is quick, simple, repeatable, sensitive, and valid in type 2 diabetes mellitus.