Hertzel C. Gerstein, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Results from the Researching Cardiovascular Events With a Weekly Incretin in Diabetes (REWIND) trial will be presented at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in W-3001 (West, Level 3). ADAMeetingNews.org asked REWIND study co-chair Hertzel C. Gerstein, MD, MSc, FRCPC, to discuss the background, objective, and significance of the trial. Dr. Gerstein is the Population Health Institute Chair in Diabetes Research, Director of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Director of the Diabetes Care and Research Program, and Deputy Director of the Population Health Research Institute at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Study Background
Dr. Gerstein: The REWIND trial was designed to determine whether the GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide can reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes. The REWIND trial differs from other trials of the cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists by having recruited a large number of people who have not had a previous cardiovascular event and whose A1C level at baseline is, on average, close to guideline-suggested targets.
Objective/Methods
Dr. Gerstein: The trial recruited middle-aged and older people with type 2 diabetes and either a previous cardiovascular event or more than one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants were randomly allocated to weekly injections of either dulaglutide 1.5 mg or placebo. Participants have been followed for the development of cardiovascular and other serious health outcomes. The results of more than five years of treatment with dulaglutide versus placebo will be presented at the Scientific Sessions.
Significance
Dr. Gerstein: The results of the REWIND trial will be relevant to clinicians who care for middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes and to patients affected by diabetes. They will provide a robust estimate of the long-term effect of this drug on cardiovascular outcomes in this population.
Large amounts of data pertaining to different outcomes and different populations have been collected within the REWIND trial. Moving forward, the results will continue to be explored in subsequent publications and the effect of dulaglutide on various outcomes will be estimated and summarized.
