Comparative study of initiation of basal analog insulin and associated real-world outcomes among Medicaid patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

• The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) eventually require insulin treatment to maintain good glycemic control.1-3 • Both insulin glargine (GLA) and insulin detemir (DET) are available for administration via traditional vial-and-syringe and via a prefi lled disposable pen device. • A recent study examining medication adherence among the Medicaid population found that approximately 36% of patients with diabetes were adherent at a cutoff value of adjusted medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥ 80% during a 12-month follow-up period.4 • Poor glycemic control resulting from reduced adherence and persistence is associated with diabetic complications, which are an important component of the excess direct medical expenditures of treating patients with T2DM.5 • There is a paucity of real-world data regarding adherence and persistence, and clinical and economic outcomes associated with the use of basal insulin analogs in T2DM.