JAMA Netw Open

GLP-1 agonist slows PAD progression in small randomized trial

March 14, 2024

Among patients with type 2 diabetes and PAD, the use of liraglutide significantly increased peripheral perfusion during a 6-month period compared with conventional treatment of CV risk factors.

• The open-label, randomized STARDUST trial included individuals with type 2 diabetes, PAD, and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPo2) between 30 and 49 mm Hg. Patients were randomized to receive 1.8 mg of SC liraglutide or conventional treatment of CV risk factors (control group) for 6 months. Coprimary outcomes were change from baseline of peripheral perfusion between groups and proportion of individuals whose TcPo2 increased by 10% from baseline.
• A total of 55 participants (mean age, 67.5 years; 78% male) were randomized (27 to liraglutide, 28 to control group). Participants had a median HbA1c level of 6.9% and a mean TcPo2 of 40.3 mm Hg. TcPo2 increased over time in both groups, with significant differences favoring the liraglutide group after 6 months (estimated difference, 11.2 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.0-14.5 mm Hg; P < .001). The proportions of patients whose TcPo2 increased 10% were 89% in the liraglutide group vs. 46% in the control group (relative risk, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.26-2.90; P < .001). Relative to the control group, those in the liraglutide group had significant reductions in CRP and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, and improvements in 6-minute walking distance.
• Whether the beneficial effects of liraglutide on peripheral perfusion is associated with other GLP-1RAs should be clarified in future studies, say the authors.

Source:

Caruso P, et al. (2024, March 12). JAMA Netw Open. Liraglutide for Lower Limb Perfusion in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Peripheral Artery Disease: The STARDUST Randomized Clinical Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38470420/