Exploring the characteristics of suboptimally controlled patients after 24 weeks of basal insulin treatment: An individualized approach to intensification

AIM: To identify characteristics of suboptimally controlled patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) on basal insulin treatment who may benefit from intensive titration or further intensification of treatment. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of SOLVE: a 24-week, international, observational study conducted in 17,374 patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) started on once-daily insulin detemir. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they achieved HbA1c<7.0% (<53.0mmol/mol) or not at final visit. RESULTS: Suboptimal glycemic control (HbA1c⩾7.0 [⩾53.0mmol/mol]) was independently associated with several baseline characteristics including higher baseline HbA1c (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.56 [1.50;1.62]; p<0.0001) and body mass index (BMI) (1.03 [1.02;1.04]; p<0.0001), longer duration of diabetes (5-10years: 1.44 [1.25;1.66]; >10years: 1.44 [1.17;1.77]; p<0.0001), and greater number of OADs (two OADs: 1.27 [1.12;1.44]; >2 OADs: 1.38 [1.14;1.66]; p=0.0003). Overall reporting of hypoglycemia was low; fewer patients with HbA1c⩾7.0% (⩾53.0mmol/mol) reported hypoglycemic events compared with patients with HbA1c<7.0% (9.8% vs. 12.5%, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline characteristics related to severity of disease were strongly associated with suboptimal glycemic control in patients with T2DM receiving basal insulin. These factors may help clinicians in identifying patients who may require an individualized approach to titration or intensification of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00740519.