Comparison of insulin detemir and insulin glargine using a basal-bolus regimen in a randomized, controlled clinical study in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: This treat-to-target study compared the efficacy and safety of insulin detemir (IDet) and insulin glargine (IGla) in a basal-bolus (insulin aspart) regimen in type 2 diabetes. Methods: 385 patients were randomized 2 : 1 (IDet : IGla). Non-inferiority of IDet to IGla was determined by HbA _1c 95% CI upper limit <0.4. Results: IDet and IGla showed similar efficacy in HbA_1c reduction at 26 weeks, as the non-inferiority criterion was met at 26 weeks (LS mean [Det-Gla]: 0.207; 95% CI: 0.0149,0.3995). It appeared that IGla in some cases did better than IDet in terms of HbA1c, but the difference (0.207%) was not clinically meaningful. Based on the CONSORT guideline, non-inferiority analysis using the LOCF approach was inconclusive regarding possible inferiority of delta 0.4 (LS mean of [Det-Gla]: 0.307; 95% CI: 0.1023, 0.5109). HbA_1c decreased significantly from baseline in IDet (-1.1% [26 weeks], -0.9% [LOCF], p < 0.001) and in IGla (-1.3% [26 weeks, LOCF], p < 0.001). Final HbA_1c were 7.1% (26 weeks) and 7.3% (LOCF) in IDet, and 6.9% (26 weeks) and 7.0% (LOCF) in IGla. Final FPG were 130 mg/dL (26 weeks) and 135 mg/dL (LOCF) in IDet, and 134 mg/dL (26 weeks) and 137 mg/dL (LOCF) in IGla. There was significantly less weight gain in IDet-treated patients (1.2 ± 3.96 kg versus 2.7 ± 3.94 kg, p = 0.001). Hypoglycemia risk was comparable between groups. The majority of IDet-treated patients (87.4%) remained on a once-daily basal insulin regimen throughout the study. Conclusions: IDet and IGla were both effective and safe treatments for glycemic control in a basal-bolus regimen for type 2 diabetes. Clinically significant reductions in HbA1c were achieved in both groups, but with significantly less weight gain in the IDet group at comparable basal insulin dosage.