Hemoglobin A1c levels were significantly and durably reduced from baseline ( least-squares mean , -1.6 % ; 95 % CI , -1.8 % to -1.4 % ; vs -1.9 % for exenatide once weekly at week 30 ) , and 65 ( 43.9 % ) of 148 patients achieved hemoglobin A1c levels of less than 7.0 % .