Background: Exenatide (Byetta) is a synthetic glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses inappropriate glucagon secretion, and slows gastric emptying. It is reported to improve cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure and lipid profiles. It was listed on the PBS in Australia from the 1st August 2010 for Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims: The study seeks to examine the use of Exenatide within the Department of Endocrinology at The Canberra Hospital between March 2010 to August 2011. We wanted to determine patient factors predictive of success or failure after 6 months of treatment, and to assess patients’ experience of using Exenatide, including the ongoing support through the Department of Endocrinology.

Methods: A retrospective audit of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients who had been initiated on Exenatide between March 2010 and August 2011 at The Canberra Hospital was undertaken. Baseline patient characteristics included age, duration of diabetes, body mass index and change over time, blood pressure, HbA1c, lipid profile, diabetic complications and medications. Exenatide failure was recorded if it was ceased prior to the start of the collection date.

Preliminary results: There were fifty-eight (28M; 30F) patients with an average age of 55.38±12.76 (SD) years, BMI of 37.7±8.52 kg/m² and diabetes duration 13.57±5.9 years at baseline. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Exenatide was ceased in 17 patients (29%) due to lack of efficacy or adverse effects, and was successful in 37 patients (64%). Predictors of success were higher BMI at baseline 38.72±7.88 (p 0.04). There was a trend of having a lower HbA1c at baseline 9.33±1.79 vs 10.16±1.40 (p 0.10), however this was not significant. Duration of diabetes or age was not predictive.

Further analysis will be performed using multivariate Cox regression.

Conclusion: Exenatide therapy is more likely to succeed in patients that have a greater BMI at baseline.