What happens when patients require intensification from basal insulin? A retrospective audit of clinical practice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes from four Australian centres

Abstract

AimsLittle is known about clinical practices beyond the initiation of basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Australia. To determine the proportion of patients who progressed from basal insulin to each of three possible therapy groups: Group 1 addition of rapid-acting insulin, Group 2 switch to pre-mixed insulin, Group 3 addition of another therapy (incretin, glitazone, sulphonylurea, metformin, acarbose). MethodsRetrospective audit across four Australian hospital clinics. Patients had a diagnosis of T2DM, basal insulin had been initiated and a subsequent treatment intensification/change had occurred during the analysis period (September 2007–March 2012). ResultsPatients were classified into one of three intensification groups for analysis: Group 1, 56.1% (111/198); Group 2, 22.7% (45/198) and Group 3, 21.2% (42/198). Prior to basal insulin initiation, mean T2DM duration was 11 years. Between starting basal insulin and treatment intensification, 42/183 (22.9%) patients achieved the HbA1c target of <7.0% (53mmol/mol).Initiation of basal insulin provided temporary improvement in glycaemic control followed by subsequent deterioration. With further treatment intensification, only 40/180 (22.2%) patients achieved the HbA1c target of <7.0% (53mmol/mol). Patients in the insulin groups gained weight (Group 1, rapid acting insulin, 1.9±7.4kg; Group 2, premixed insulin 2.3±4.8kg); those in Group 3 lost weight (−0.9±13.54kg). Hypoglycaemic episodes were uncommon irrespective of group. ConclusionsThere is continued need for improved patient management; individualised strategies should focus on when to initiate insulin, how to adjust and optimise doses over time and, when required, the introduction of intensification regimens.