{Reference Type}: Journal Article {Title}: Randomized Comparison of Initiating the Fixed-Ratio Combination of iGlarLixi or Biosimilar Insulin Glargine Together With Gliclazide in Participants of South Asian Origin With Type 2 Diabetes: VARIATION 2 SA Trial. {Author}: Bajaj HS;Chu L;Bansal N;Brown RE;Dhillon G;Gupta R;Bhela JS;Padda JK;Khandwala H;Venn K;Aronson R;Bajaj HS;Chu L;Bansal N;Brown RE;Dhillon G;Gupta R;Bhela JS;Padda JK;Khandwala H;Venn K;Aronson R; {Journal}: Can J Diabetes {Volume}: 46 {Issue}: 5 {Year}: Jul 2022 {Factor}: 2.774 {DOI}: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2022.02.003 {Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare initiation of a fixed-ratio combination of insulin glargine and lixisenatide (iGlarLixi) vs insulin glargine U100 (iGlar) along with gliclazide, exclusively in people of South Asian origin with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS: The Variability of glucose Assessed in a Randomized trial comparing the Initiation of A Treatment approach with biosimilar basal Insulin analog Or a titratable iGlarLixi combinatioN in type 2 diabetes among South Asian participants (VARIATION 2 SA) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03819790) randomized insulin-naïve adults with T2D having glycated hemoglobin (A1C) 7.1% to 11% to initiate either iGlarLixi or iGlar + gliclazide. Insulin doses were titrated similarly to a prebreakfast glucose target of 4.0 to 5.5 mmol/L. Average time in range (TIR) on a masked continuous glucose monitor (CGM), A1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and weight were assessed at the end of the 12-week treatment period.
RESULTS: Mean baseline characteristics for the 104 randomized participants were similar between treatment groups, including the following: age, 59±11 years; diabetes duration, 13.7±7.3 years; and A1C, 8.5%±1.2%. Coprimary outcomes of average TIRs within 24- and 12-h (6 am to 6 pm) periods at the end of trial were 70.5%±16.8% and 72.9%±17.6% for iGlarLixi, whereas these TIRs were 65.6%±21.6% and 67.3%±20.7% for the iGlar + gliclazide regimen, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (p=0.35 for 24-h TIR and p=0.14 for 12-h TIR). No significant difference in secondary outcomes was observed between treatment groups. Self-reported hypoglycemic events throughout the trial period and CGM-reported hypoglycemia (<4 and <3 mmol/L) were similar between randomized treatments.
CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of iGlarLixi resulted in similar TIR, A1C, FPG, weight and hypoglycemia compared with the more affordable option of starting iGlar + gliclazide in adults of South Asian origin with T2D.