Indices of beta-cell function: association with diabetes control in patients with type 2 diabetes on stable GLP-1 agonist treatment

The aims of this study were to investigate the association between metabolic factors and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes on glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) agonists, and explore the physiological reasons for less good glucose control in some patients compared to others. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 26 patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c ranging from 5.7–11% (39–97mmol/mol), on GLP‐1 agonists with oral hypoglycaemics for at least four months. A liquid meal tolerance test was performed and samples for plasma glucose, insulin and C‐peptide were taken at 0, 30 and 120 minutes. Glucagon was measured in the fasting state. Insulin secretion and resistance indices were correlated with HbA1c using Pearson correlation coefficient. We found a significant correlation between HbA1c and indices of beta‐cell reserve (HOMA B: r = ‐0.53, p