ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of basal insulin plus oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) treatment switched from premixed insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes patients.
MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes with glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) lower than 10%, taking stable dose of premixed insulin twice daily for at least 12 weeks, and treated between February 2010 and August 2011 were identified from our outpatient service, and their treatment was switched to glargine plus OADs. After 24 weeks of treatment, we analyzed the changes of the patients' weight, fasting and postprandial blood glucose (FBG and PBG), A1C, hypoglycemic events and insulin dose.
ResultsA total of 36 patients were followed up and received glargine plus OADs. After glargine treatment, the patients' weight[(63.77±10.34) vs. (62.31±9.98)kg, P=0.002] and total insulin dose[(23.56±6.15) vs. (10.28±4.04)kg, P=0.000] were declined obviously. The A1C level had further declined in the group of premixed insulin therapy with A1C approaching or reaching 7% from start to end point (6.70±0.81)% vs.(6.34±0.55)kg, P=0.007], and the insulin dose was (0.16±0.06) U/(kg·d). However, no significant difference of the incidence of hypoglycemic events was discovered compared with non-standard group (33.33% vs. 55.56%, P=0.267). Compared with premixed insulin group, glargine group usually had 1 or 2 kinds of OADs, and the most widely used drug was glucophage (17/36).
ConclusionIn type 2 diabetes patients whose A1C level approaches or reaches 7%, switching premixed insulin therapy to glargine plus OADs is associated with significant improvement in glycemic control, as well as sound safety and other benefits.
