Quality of Life of Insulin-Naïve People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Inadequately Controlled on Oral Antidiabetic Drugs after the Addition of Insulin Glargine, in Every Day Clinical Practice in Greece

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QoL) of insulin-naive people with Type 2 Mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs)) after the addition of insulin glargine through the use of self-reported questionnaires (ADDQoL, DTSQs and DTSQc). Design: Insulin-naive Greek patients with T2DM >1 year inadequately controlled on at least 2 OADs as assessed by HbA1c between 7.0%-9.0% were recruited. The addition of insulin glargine to the treatment was initiated within one month prior to enrollment and patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at 3 and 6 months through HbA1c measurements and self-reported quality of life questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: HbA1c (%) ± SD decreased from 8.3±0.5 to 7.4±0.7 and 7.2±0.6 at 3 and 6 months, respectively (p<0.001). No significant changes in symptomatic hypoglycemia and no severe hypoglycemia were reported. Concerning the ADDQoL-19, the present QoL score improved from 0.42± 0.97 to 0.79±0.81 and 0.93± 0.82 (p<0.001), the If no Diabetes QoL score decreased from -1.50± 0.78 to -1.51±0.78 and increased to -1.42± 0.80 (p=0.03) and the Average Weighted Impact-AWI score improved from -2.48± 1.83 to -2.46± 1.67 and -2.35± 1.71 at 3 and 6 months, respectively (p=0.03). The DTSQS score improved from 22.58±7.13 to 26.34±6.51 and 27.10±6.86 (p<0.001) while perceived frequency of hypo/ hyperglycaemia decreased from 5.22±1.89 to 3.82±2.11 and 3.20±2.12 at 3 and 6 months, respectively (p<0.001). The DTSQC score at 6 months was 11.45±6.70 (p<0.001), while the respective hypo/hyperglycaemia score was -2.74±2.73 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The improved glycaemic control as assessed by HbA1c values, achieved by the addition of insulin glargine to the treatment of patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with OADs resulted in a positive impact on QoL and treatment satisfaction (TS) with reduced perception of hypo/hyperglycaemia.