Dulaglutide 1.5 mg Significantly Improves Glycemic Control and Lowers LDL-Cholesterol and Body Weight in Romanian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

<b>Background:</b> Dulaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist administered subcutaneously once a week, developed through recombinant DNA technology, and prescribed as an add-on to diet and exercise for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. In several clinical trials, once-weekly dulaglutide has demonstrated reductions in cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes, as well as improvements in glycemic control and weight reduction. The scope of this study was to evaluate the effect of dulaglutide 1.5 mg on glycemic control, weight management, and LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. <b>Methods:</b> We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus who were on oral antidiabetic agents and insulin, and who were additionally treated with dulaglutide 1.5 mg. We monitored fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months after initiating dulaglutide treatment. Weight, body mass index, and LDL-cholesterol were assessed at baseline and after 24 months of dulaglutide therapy. <b>Results:</b> Treatment with dulaglutide resulted in significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c after 6 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001), 12 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and 24 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001). A significant weight reduction was observed after 24 months of dulaglutide therapy (-3.3 kg; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In addition, we observed a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol after 24 months (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> Our data demonstrate that dulaglutide 1.5 mg significantly improves glycemic control, reduces body weight, and lowers LDL-cholesterol in Romanian patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.