Three-year exenatide therapy, followed by a 4-week off-drug period, had a sustainable effect on β-cell disposition index in metformin treated patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Previously we showed that exenatide (Ex) improved β-cell function after 1-yeartreatment, relative to insulin glargine (IG), with a similar glucose lowering effect. This effect was not sustained after a 4-week off-drug period. Here we report theeffects of an additional 2 years of therapy. Methods: Metformin treated patients with type 2 diabetes were randomized to Ex (n=36) or IG (n=33) (mean±SD: age 59±8 y; A1C 7.5±0.8%; BMI 31±4kg/m2; weight 91.5±13.1kg). 47 patients entered the 2-year open-label extension study of which 36 completed (Ex n=16; IG n=20). Insulin sensitivity (M) and β-cell function w…