Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) differ in efficacy, side effects, dosing frequency, and device-related attributes. This study assessed the relative importance of treatment-related attributes in influencing preferences for GLP-1RAs among injection-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Injection-naïve T2DM patients from five countries completed a Web-based discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey. Patients chose between hypothetical treatment profiles reflecting important and differentiating attributes of GLP-1RAs. Eight attributes were included: efficacy, side effects, device size, needle size, titration, preparation, evidence of long-term efficacy/safety, and dosing frequency. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a conditional logit model to indicate the likelihood of choosing a treatment with a given attribute level versus a reference attribute level. The influence of individual attributes when considering full treatment profiles was examined using exenatide once weekly (QW) and liraglutide once daily (QD) as case examples. RESULTS: A total of 1482 patients with T2DM completed the DCE survey. Side effects, efficacy, and dosing frequency were the three most important attributes influencing preferences; needle size, device size, and required preparation were least important. Total sample analysis indicated that a profile of GLP-1RA approximating exenatide QW (single pen) was preferred over a profile approximating liraglutide QD (OR 3.36; p < 0.001), when efficacy was assumed to be equal. CONCLUSION: The most influential drivers of treatment preferences for a hypothetical GLP-RA profile were side effects, efficacy, and dosing frequency among injection-naïve T2DM patients. Preference elicitation can promote patient-centered care and inform new generations of T2DM treatments, which can lead to improved adherence and health outcomes.