Insulin detemir is associated with more predictable glycemic control and reduced risk of hypoglycemia than NPH insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes on a basal-bolus regimen with premeal insulin aspart.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Insulin detemir is a soluble basal insulin analog with a unique mechanism of protracted action designed to reduce the variability associated with conventional basal insulins. This trial compared the glycemic control, risk of hypoglycemia, and effect on body weight of insulin detemir and NPH insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with rapid-acting insulin aspart at meals.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:

This study was a 6-month multinational open parallel-group comparison conducted at 46 centers in five countries and included 448 patients with type 1 diabetes randomized 2:1 to insulin detemir or NPH insulin, respectively.

RESULTS:

After 6 months, comparable HbA(1c) levels were found between the two treatment groups. Fasting plasma glucose tended to be lower in patients treated with insulin detemir, but this difference was not statistically significant (-0.76 mmol/l, P = 0.097). Within-subject variation in self-measured fasting blood glucose was lower with insulin detemir than with NPH insulin (SD 3.37 vs. 3.78 mmol/l, P < 0.001). Risk of hypoglycemia was 22% lower with insulin detemir than with NPH insulin (P < 0.05) and 34% lower for nocturnal (2300-0600) hypoglycemia (P < 0.005). Nightly plasma glucose profiles were smoother and more stable with insulin detemir (P = 0.05). Body weight was significantly lower with insulin detemir at the end of the trial (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment with insulin detemir resulted in more predictable glycemic control, with smoother plasma glucose profiles than NPH insulin and a significant reduction in the risk of hypoglycemia. The reduction in body weight with insulin detemir is a potential additional advantage. Regimens optimized for insulin detemir may be able to improve glycemic control beyond that possible with NPH insulin.

• Authors: Philippe Vague, Jean-Louis Selam, Svein Skeie, Ivo De Leeuw, Jan W F Elte, Hanne Haahr, Allan Kristensen, Eberhard Draeger
• Journal: Diabetes care (Diabetes Care) Vol. 26 Issue 3 Pg. 590-6 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0149-5992 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12610006 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Carrier Proteins
• Glycated Hemoglobin A
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Insulin
• Insulin, Long-Acting
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin, Isophane
• Insulin Aspart

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Body Weight
• Carrier Proteins (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (blood, drug therapy)
• Eating
• Female
• Glycated Hemoglobin (analysis)
• Humans
• Hypoglycemia (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Hypoglycemic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Incidence
• Insulin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Insulin Aspart
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin, Isophane (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Insulin, Long-Acting
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors