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Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Dulaglutide shows no pancreatic safety issues in T2DM patients

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

Last updated September 12, 2026

Key finding

Least-squares mean increase in pancreatic amylase from baseline to Week 26 was comparable across all subgroups with no statistically significant differences (all P-values > 0.05).

This study evaluated the pancreatic safety of Dulaglutide in Chinese patients with Type 2 Diabetes, finding no significant changes in pancreatic enzyme levels.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Extended (5–20+ y)

Risk of bias

High Risk

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the pancreatic safety of Dulaglutide in Chinese patients with Type 2 Diabetes, finding no significant changes in pancreatic enzyme levels.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the safety profile of diabetes medications like Dulaglutide is crucial for clinicians when prescribing treatments. The lack of significant changes in pancreatic enzyme levels indicates that Dulaglutide may be a safe option for managing Type 2 Diabetes in this population, potentially alleviating concerns about pancreatic risks associated with diabetes treatments.

Keep in mind

The study was a post-hoc analysis, which may limit the robustness of conclusions. Results may not be generalizable beyond the Chinese patient population. The sample size and subgroup analyses may not have sufficient power to detect subtle effects.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Yan Z, Jiankun Z, Haiya W, Yuying D, Qiuhe J. Pancreatic Safety of Dulaglutide in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Post-Hoc Analysis of AWARD-CHN2. Diabetes Therapy. 2021;12(10):2677-2690. doi:10.1007/s13300-021-01139-2

View DOIView on PubMedView on PMC

Main Effects

Pancreatic amylase levels showed a mean increase of 5.34 U/L with no significant difference (p=0.05).

Total amylase levels increased by 6.71 U/L, also with no significant difference (p=0.05).

Lipase levels increased by 5.66 U/L, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.05).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Dulaglutide and Pancreatic amylase, Serum Amylase Levels, Serum Lipase Levels.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Dulaglutide

Outcome

Pancreatic amylase

Evidence topic

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Primary intervention

Dulaglutide

Primary outcomes

  • Pancreatic amylase
  • Serum Amylase Levels
  • Serum Lipase Levels

Evidence topics

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Primary intervention

Dulaglutide

Primary outcomes

Pancreatic amylaseSerum Amylase LevelsSerum Lipase Levels

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

3
Evidence pairs
3
Relationships
1
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 59

1

Related topics

3

Evidence pairs

100

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 3 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 1 direct semantic evidence topic

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

matched_intervention

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Pancreatic amylase

Dulaglutide → Pancreatic amylase

Dulaglutide → Pancreatic amylase

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Serum Amylase Levels

Dulaglutide → Serum Amylase Levels

Dulaglutide → Serum Amylase Levels

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Serum Lipase Levels

Dulaglutide → Serum Lipase Levels

Dulaglutide → Serum Lipase Levels

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Dulaglutide did not significantly change pancreatic amylase levels (p=0.05).
  • Total amylase levels remained stable with a mean increase of 6.71 U/L (p=0.05).
  • Lipase levels showed a mean increase of 5.66 U/L with no significant difference (p=0.05).
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Chinese patients diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
  • Adults aged 18 and older receiving diabetes treatment.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • The findings are specific to the Chinese population and may not apply to other ethnic groups.
  • The study did not assess long-term effects beyond 26 weeks.
  • Potential confounding factors were not fully explored in the analysis.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • The study was a post-hoc analysis, which may limit the robustness of conclusions.
  • Results may not be generalizable beyond the Chinese patient population.
  • The sample size and subgroup analyses may not have sufficient power to detect subtle effects.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

Powered by the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework

This study contributes to evidence on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Pancreatic amylase, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Serum Amylase Levels.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Dulaglutide improve pancreatic amylase?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Dulaglutide for pancreatic amylase.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Pancreatic amylase

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Dulaglutide improve serum amylase levels?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Dulaglutide for serum amylase levels.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Serum Amylase Levels

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence

Does Dulaglutide improve serum lipase levels?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Dulaglutide for serum lipase levels.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Serum Lipase Levels

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
1 supporting study
View Full Evidence
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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Evidence Hub

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All studies on Dulaglutide and Pancreatic amylaseAll studies on Dulaglutide and Serum Amylase LevelsAll studies on Dulaglutide and Serum Lipase Levels

Related research

Read related research summaries.

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