OBJECTIVES: Clinical studies suggest that adult type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients treated with the once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) liraglutide 1.2 and 1.8mg achieve significant improvements in glycemic control and body weight with low risk of hypoglycemia. The objective of this study is to identify factors that predict clinical and economic outcomes associated with liraglutide therapy in a real-world setting. METHODS: Using the MarketScan^® Laboratory Database, A1C outcomes and diabetes-related costs were evaluated in T2D patients initiating liraglutide (index event) between January 2010 and June 2012. Patients (N=417) were required to have ≥1 post-index claim for liraglutide and valid A1C values at baseline and within ±45 days of the end of 6 months follow-up. Patients previously treated with GLP-1 RAs or insulin, or evidence of type 1 diabetes, pregnancy or gestational diabetes at any time during the study period were excluded. Achievement of glycemic control (A1C <7%) and diabetes-related costs were evaluated. Multivariable regression was used to identify significant (p<0.05) predictors of glycemic control and to estimate diabetes-related costs. RESULTS: Factors associated with increased odds of achieving A1C<7% were early initiation (0-1 background oral anti-diabetics (OADs) vs. ≥2), adherence to liraglutide (proportion of days covered (PDC) ≥80%), presence of diabetic retinopathy or a disorder of lipid metabolism. Early initiation (0-1 background OADs vs. ≥2) and higher out-of-pocket share of pharmacy costs were associated with significantly lower total diabetes-related costs at follow-up. Factors associated with significantly higher post-index total diabetes-related costs were higher baseline A1C, pre-index use of sulfonylureas, and the presence of diabetic retinopathy. The indicated impact of gender on clinical and economic outcomes, in this specific sample, varied by age.  CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of glycemic control and diabetes-related costs among T2D patients treated with liraglutide in clinical practice include early liraglutide initiation, adherence, certain comorbidities and gender (age dependent).