Comparing time to intensification between insulin degludec/insulin aspart and insulin glargine: A single-center experience from India

Abstract

Background and Aims: The objective of the study was to compare the percent of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) requiring dose intensification and the time to dose intensification in patients on insulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) versus those on basal insulin. Materials and Methods: Data were collected through retrospective chart review of patients with T2D being treated with insulin at a single center in India. The increase from once daily (OD) to twice daily dose or the addition of prandial insulin was considered as dose intensification. Chi-square test was conducted to compare the groups. Results: In the IDegAsp group (n = 515), 455 patients continued on the OD dose, and 60 patients (11.6%) were intensified. In the insulin glargine (IGlar) group (n = 173), 143 patients remained on the initial dose and 30 patients (17.34%) were intensified. Fewer patients on IDegAsp required treatment intensification than those on IGlar (P = 0.05). The time to treatment intensification (±standard deviation) was 11.98 ± 7.81 months in the IDegAsp group and 6.71 ± 6.86 months in the IGlar group. The time to treatment intensification was significantly longer in the IDegAsp than in the IGlar group (P = 0.0023). Conclusions: The study shows that significantly fewer patients on IDegAsp required dose intensification than those on IGlar. Additionally, the time to dose intensification was significantly delayed in patients on IDegAsp as compared to IGlar. However, HbA1c reduction with IGlar (nonintensified) was significant only at 6 months and failed to reach significance at 12 months, thereby pointing toward an early need for treatment intensification.