Lower rates of hypoglycaemia with Insulin Degludec compared to Insulin Glargine

Two phase III studies included in total 1,635 participants investigated insulin degludec from Novo Nordisk compared to insulin glargine in a basal-bolus regimen in people with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Both studies were �treat-to-target� studies, meaning patient insulin doses were adjusted systematically to allow them to achieve a targeted fasting glucose level. As a result, patients, successfully achieved comparable improvements in glucose control in both studies, allowing researchers to closely determine the differences in the rates of hypoglycaemia.In Type 2 patients, a significantly lower rate of overall hypoglycaemic events was seen in the insulin degludec group, compared to those taking insulin glargine (11.1 vs. 13.6 episodes/patient-year)1; in Type 1 Diabetes this figure was comparable between the two treatment arms. The rate of hypoglycaemia at night was 25% lower in both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes for patients treated with insulin degludec, compared to those taking insulin glargine (4.4 vs. 5.9 episodes/patient-year and 1.4 vs. 1.8 episodes/patient-year respectively. see studies in the April 21st issue, Volume 379 of The Lancet and also online at: www.thelancet.com.