Type 2 diabetes is associated with a high prevalence of comorbidities resulting from
hypertension,
dyslipidemia, and
hyperglycemia. Inadequate management of these risk factors will eventually result in detrimental health consequences. Thus, the effect of a
drug on factors such as weight, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and adherence is important to consider. A review was undertaken of the recent medical literature describing the extraglycemic characteristics of the two classes of
incretin-based
therapies-
glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. PubMed searches were performed to identify published data on
incretin therapies that describe their effects on CV risk factors, CV events, and factors related to medication adherence. The maintenance or loss of weight associated with the use of GLP-1RAs and
DPP-4 inhibitors is well described in the medical literature. These agents also appear to be associated with a modest decrease in blood pressure and a reduced risk of CV events. In addition, several characteristics of
incretin therapies may improve rates of medication adherence, such as generally favorable tolerability profiles (particularly with
DPP-4 inhibitors), the availability of formulations that simplify treatment regimens, and a low risk for
hypoglycemia. The literature on
incretin therapies describes a number of clinical characteristics that are relevant to the management of extraglycemic risk factors. As part of a holistic treatment strategy, these properties constitute important considerations for tailoring
therapy to individual patients with
type 2 diabetes.