The Effect of Soliqua on Glucose Variability in Type 2 Patients Among South Asians

The VARIATION 2 SA study is a prospective, open-label, randomized controlled, multi-centre trial to compare the efficacy of two insulin initiation approaches (Soliqua vs Glargine U100 insulin (Basaglar or Lantus) + gliclazide MR) added to maximum tolerated metformin on glucose variability (using masked CGM) in South Asians with T2DM who will initiate insulin therapy with HbA1c of 7.1-11% (inclusive). After giving informed consent and being assessed by eligibility, the patient will stop other oral hypoglycemic agents except metformin (SGLT2 inhibitor may be continued if the patient has cardiovascular diseases history) and enter a 1-week run-in phase with Basaglar or Lantus insulin. During this week (considered as baseline), the patient will: 1) be administered Basaglar or Lantus insulin at an initial dose of 10 units in the morning and increase 1 U/day if fasting glucose \>5.5 mmol/L; 2) complete 2 questionnaires to assess the patient-reported outcomes (PROs); 3) wear a masked continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to assess glucose variability; 4) record carbohydrate intake for at least 3 consecutive days. If a patient demonstrates good adherence to Basaglar or Lantus insulin therapy, proper CGM wearing and proper record of carbohydrate intake, and is willing to adhere to insulin treatment will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either Soliqua or Glargine U100 insulin (Basaglar or Lantus) + gliclazide MR treatment. The patients will initiate insulin Soliqua or Basaglar/Lantus at their end-of run-in phase insulin dose (minimum dose of 15 units in both arms) every morning (before first meal of day) and titrate by 1 U/day until fasting glucose reaches 4-5.5 mmol/L. In the next 12 weeks, the patients will be optimized their insulin doses via clinic visits or phone calls. They will also be instructed to record their daily fasting glucose, insulin dose, hypoglycemic episodes and any adverse events in a logbook. The primary outcome is to compare the difference of average percentage of Time in Range (4.0-10.0 mmol/L) within 24 hours over the CGM period between two treatments at week 13 after randomization. The co-primary is to compare the difference average percentage of Time in Range (4.0-10.0 mmol/L) within 12 hours (6 AM- 6 PM) over the CGM period between two treatments at week 13 after randomization. The secondary outcomes include the differences on other measurements of glucose variability and patient-reported outcomes (PROs).