Victoza improves blood-sugar levels in African-Americans, study finds

ORLANDO, Fla. African-Americans with Type 2 diabetes taking a Novo Nordisk drug showed improvements in blood sugar, according to a study presented Wednesday at a medical conference.

Novo Nordisk said that of the 187 African-American patients in the study of the drug Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA]), 78% of those taking the 1.8-mg dose and 55% of those taking the 1.2-mg dose once a day reached the American Diabetes Association’s blood sugar target of less than 7%, compared with 19% of those taking placebo. Results of the study were presented at the 2010 National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Orlando, Fla.

According to studies, African-Americans are 1.6 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites, and 25% of those between the ages of 65 and 74 years have the disease.

“This analysis confirms that Victoza is a safe and effective treatment for African-Americans with Type 2 diabetes and may be a good option for those patients struggling with blood sugar control,” study investigator and endocrinologist at New Jersey’s Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Anthony Cannon said in a statement. “African-Americans are among the most affected by diabetes, so it’s important that we examine the safety and efficacy of diabetes treatment in this patient population.”