Switching from NPH to Glargine Insulin Improves Blood Sugar Control
Author Information
Author(s): Peter Sharplin, Jason Gordon, John R Peters, Anthony P Tetlow, Andrea J Longman, Philip McEwan
Primary Institution: CHKS Health Economics Unit, Health Park, Cardiff, UK
Hypothesis
Does switching from NPH insulin to glargine insulin improve glycaemic control in diabetes patients?
Conclusion
Switching from NPH to glargine insulin can significantly improve glycaemic control in diabetes patients without increasing weight or insulin dosage.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with type 1 diabetes showed a 0.38% reduction in HbA1c after switching.
- Patients with type 2 diabetes showed a 0.31% reduction in HbA1c after switching.
- The majority of patients were on a basal-bolus regimen before and after the switch.
Takeaway
If you change from one type of insulin to another, it can help your blood sugar levels get better without making you gain weight.
Methodology
This was a retrospective observational study using data from a UK primary care database, analyzing changes in HbA1c after switching insulin types.
Potential Biases
The decision to switch insulin was based on clinician judgment, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may not account for all variables affecting glycaemic control, and hypoglycaemic episodes were inconsistently reported.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 304 patients with type 1 diabetes and 397 with type 2 diabetes, with a mean age of 34.8 years for type 1 and 48.2 years for type 2.
Statistical Information
P-Value
< 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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