Exenatide Inpatient Trial: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial on the Safety and Efficacy of Exenatide (Byetta®) Therapy for the Inpatient Management of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to try and achieve similar glycemic control in general non-Intensive Care Unit (non-ICU) patients with Type 2 Diabetes with exenatide alone or in combination with basal insulin as compared to treatment with basal bolus insulin alone. The association between hyperglycemia and poor clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes is well established. Previous studies have shown that basal bolus insulin regimens improve glycemic control and reduce the rate of hospital complications compared to sliding scale regular insulin (SSRI) therapy, but has a significant risk of hypoglycemia. The investigators will compare the efficacy and safety of exenatide alone or in combination with basal insulin to control high blood glucose levels resulting in a lower risk of hypoglycemia.

The association between hyperglycemia and poor clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes is well established. Data from previous trials in hospitalized patients have shown a strong association between hyperglycemia and poor clinical outcomes, such as mortality, morbidity, length of stay (LOS), infections and overall complications. Basal bolus insulin regimens improve glycemic control and reduce the rate of hospital complications compared to sliding scale regular insulin (SSRI). However, the use of basal bolus is labor intensive, requiring multiple daily insulin injections, and has a significant risk of hypoglycemia. The investigators will study if treatment with exenatide alone or in combination with basal insulin will result in similar glycemic control and a lower frequency of hypoglycemia than treatment with basal bolus in general non-Intensive Care Unit (non-ICU) patients with Type 2 Diabetes.