Clinical outcomes and resource use after 24 months of insulin therapy in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes: subgroup analysis of the TREAT study. Issue 5 (4th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oguz, A.; Cevizci, E.; Ertekin, A.; Abdulnabi, R.
• Is Part Of: International journal of clinical practice. Volume 69:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 588
• Page End: 596
• Publication Date: 2014-12-04
• Subjects: Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.12584
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-5031

Abstract

Summary: Purpose: This study evaluated levels of metabolic control, resource use and quality of life in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes initiated on insulin in routine care. Patients and methods: The prospective, observational TREAT study evaluated patients from five different countries who were initiated on insulin and followed for 24 months. In this paper, we present the results of a cohort analysis specific to Turkish patients from the study. Results: A total of 211 patients in the Turkish multicenter cohort [male patients 50.2%, age 56.5 year ± 8.9 SD, body mass index (BMI) 30.6 kg/m 2 ± 5.4 SD, diabetes duration 9.7 year ± 5.9 SD] initiated insulin at baseline. Oral antidiabetic drugs had been used by 93.4% of patients prior to insulin initiation, and 65.9% had used more than one regimen. Pre‐existing metformin therapy was continued by 68.7% of patients after insulin initiation. In the three most common insulin regimens, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C ) declined over 24 months from 10.27% to 7.82% (long/intermediate acting), from 10.82% to 7.52% (premixed) and from 10.42% to 7.67% (basal‐bolus). Less than 25% achieved a glycaemic goal of HbA1C ≤ 7.0% and changes in insulin dose or regimen rarely occurred. Premixed insulin regimens were associated with greatest weight gain. Hypoglycaemic episodes were reported by more patients at 3, 6 and 12 months than at baseline or at 18 or 24 months. Healthcare use increased over baseline levels in the first 6 months, but was closer to baseline levels at subsequent assessments. Patient recorded health profiles improved after initiating insulin, particularly quality of life scores related to psychological distress and pain/discomfort. Morisky scores predictive of medication adherence and treatment persistence also improved. Conclusions: In Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes, metabolic control remained suboptimal after initiating insulin as part of routine care even after 24 months of insulin treatment. Apparent shortcomings in routine care in most patients included a high baseline HbA1C because of delayed insulin initiation and an unwillingness to individualise insulin regimens.