Real world study finds Tresiba cuts rate of hypoglycaemia in type 1 & 2 diabetes

Findings from ReFLeCT – a large non-interventional real-world study using patient diaries demonstrated that people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were switched by their doctor to Tresiba (insulin degludec), from Novo Nordisk, in routine clinical care from other basal insulins, had a significantly reduced rate of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). During the 12-month follow-up there were found to be significantly lower rates of overall, non-severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia when switching to insulin degludec compared to baseline, in both groups (556 people with type 1 diabetes and 611 people with type 2 diabetes).

In addition, a secondary endpoint showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), which was experienced in both people with type 1 diabetes (HbA1c: -1.64 mmol/mol [-0.15%] and type 2 diabetes (HbA1c: -3.50 mmol/mol [-0.32%]). However, the clinical trial programme has shown similar glycaemic control with insulin degludec versus other basal insulins. These results reinforce the effectiveness of insulin degludec, which has already been established through its extensive clinical trial programme, where insulin degludec has consistently shown a lower risk of hypoglycaemia at similar efficacy levels against insulin glargine 100 units/mL. Furthermore, a randomised controlled trial has shown similar glycaemic control and similar hypoglycaemia rates with insulin degludec versus insulin glargine 300 units/ml in patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were presented at the Diabetes UK Professional 2019 Conference.

Comment: Insulin degludec is a once-daily basal insulin that provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect. In clinical trials, insulin degludec showed a lower risk of hypoglycaemia at similar glycaemic control against insulin glargine 100 units/mL. Insulin degludec received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally.