1827-P: Add-On Semaglutide in the Treatment of Elderly with Type 2 Diabetes May Offer the Potential Benefits

Introduction and Objective: GLP-1 receptor agonists are a new class of antidiabetic drugs. There is not yet sufficient data on their use in the elderly. We aimed to determine whether administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide reduces the need for sulfonylurea and/or insulin treatment and improves control of T2D. The effects on various cardio-metabolic parameters were also investigated. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, data from 34 elderly patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea and/or basal-bolus insulin in whom oral or subcutaneous semaglutide was introduced were analyzed. Primary endpoints: reduction in HbA1c and fasting glucose along with reduction in sulfonylurea and insulin dose Secondary endpoints: changes in cardio-metabolic risk factors (body weight, BMI, SBP, DBP) Results: HbA1c (1,5%; p <0.0001) and FBG (1.5 mmol/l; p =0.0002) were significantly reduced. In seven patients sulfonylurea was discontinued, and in 16 it was reduced by at least 50%. Insulin dose was significantly reduced in all patients (by average of 22.5 %, p < 0.01). Cardio-metabolic risk factors were significantly reduced: BW (4.9 kg, p<0.0001), BMI (1.7 kg/m2; p<0.0001), SBP (17.6 mmHg; p<0.0001) and DBP (4.8 mmHg; p = 0.0009). Conclusion: Our real-world study suggests beneficial effects of semaglutide in elderly patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes in terms of: improving diabetes control (HbA1, fasting blood glucose) reducing the dose of drugs with potential adverse effects and poorer adherence in the elderly (sulfonylurea, insulin). Cardiometabolic risk factors are improved by semaglutide. It appears that semaglutide could significantly improve the treatment of T2D in the elderly. Disclosure K. Vukelic: None.