2.1. Study design

In this retrospective observational study, patients with at least one pharmacy claim for dulaglutide, liraglutide, or exenatide once‐weekly pen between 1 November 2014 and 31 May 2016 (the index period) were identified from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD). The HIRD contains longitudinal administrative claims data for members of 14 major commercial health plans in the Northeastern, Mid‐Atlantic, Southeastern, Midwestern, Central and Western regions of the United States, and includes members in each of the 50 states. Data include professional, facility and outpatient pharmacy claims, outpatient laboratory results, and health plan enrolment information. The study analysis included all medical and pharmacy claims, as well as outpatient laboratory data submitted to the HIRD between 1 May 2014 and 31 May 2017.