Overview of Common Regimens Used for Initiating and Titrating Insulin in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus has dramatically increased and patients may require insulin therapy to effectively manage their diabetes mellitus. Nurses and other health professionals can assist these individuals to be more confident as they initiate and continue insulin therapy. This article discusses barriers to initiating insulin, target glycemic goals, and common regimens used for initiating and titrating insulin in individuals with T2DM. Implications for health professionals are addressed. Literature was reviewed using key words for regimens used for initiating and titrating insulin in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and limited to those published in English from January 2007 to December 2014, unless earlier data were cited in papers as a primary source. Many reviewed sources cited information derived from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE) and the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD). Common insulin regimens use basal insulin only and basal insulin plus a rapid-acting insulin to one or more meals. Health clinician, health system, and patient barriers influence initiating and titrating insulin therapy to achieve target goals consistent with a HbA1C of <7.0%, except in patients with multiple co-morbidities or severe hypoglycemia. Health professionals must work together to assess patient characteristics; determine target glucose goals; use strategies to address heath clinician, health system, and patient barriers; and initiate and titrate insulin therapy.