Top in endocrinology: Weekly basal insulin effective; sports can lower risks in diabetes

A once-weekly basal insulin provided noninferior HbA1c reductions compared with once-daily insulins in adults with type 2 diabetes who had never taken insulin as well as those who received multiple daily insulin injections, phase 3 data show.

In the QWINT-2 and QWINT-4 treat-to-target trials, insulin efsitora alfa (Eli Lilly) was well tolerated and met the trials’ primary endpoints of noninferior HbA1c reductions compared with once-daily insulins.

“The results of QWINT-2 and QWINT-4 are a significant milestone for the diabetes community,” Jeff Emmick, MD, PhD, senior vice president of product development for Lilly, said in a press release. “With efsitora, we have an opportunity to provide an innovative once-weekly solution that safely achieves and maintains HbA1c control, reduces treatment burden of traditional daily injections and potentially improves adherence for people with diabetes.”

It was the top story in endocrinology last week.

Another top story was about data that showed adults with type 1 diabetes who played sports had a lower degree of insulin resistance and were less likely to develop metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease than those who did not play sports.

Read these and more top stories in endocrinology below:

Once-weekly basal insulin cuts HbA1c for adults with type 2 diabetes in two phase 3 trials

A once-weekly basal insulin conferred noninferior reductions in HbA1c among insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes and those who receive multiple daily insulin injections, according to top-line results from two phase 3 trials. Read more.

Playing sports may lower insulin resistance, reduce odds for MASLD in type 1 diabetes

Adults with type 1 diabetes who play sports have less insulin resistance and are less likely to develop metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, according to study findings. Read more.

Risedronate discontinuation may increase mortality risk after hip fracture

Older adults who sustain a hip fracture after discontinuing risedronate following at least 5 years of treatment adherence have a higher post-fracture mortality risk than those who continue using risedronate, according to study data. Read more.

New joint guideline focuses on treatment of glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency

Glucocorticoid tapering, education and treatment of adrenal crisis are three of the main focuses of a new clinical practice guideline on glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency. Read more.

Bariatric surgery lowers risk for breast cancer among women with higher insulin levels

Women with obesity who undergo bariatric surgery and have higher levels of insulin have a lower risk for breast cancer than women who do not undergo surgery, according to findings published in JAMA Surgery. Read more.