In this 2x 32-week, double-blind, treat-to-target crossover trial, adults (n=721) with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were randomised 1:1 to receive once-daily insulin degludec (IDeg)/insulin glargine (IGlar) U100, followed by crossover to IGlar/IDeg. Each treatment period comprised a 16-week titration and 16-week maintenance period. Patients included were previously treated with basal insulin ± oral antidiabetic drugs excluding sulphonylureas/meglitinides, and at increased risk of developing hypoglycaemia based on pre-trial risk factors. The primary endpoint was the number of severe (requiring third-party assistance and external adjudication) or blood glucose-confirmed (<3.1 mmol/L) symptomatic hypoglycaemic events in the maintenance periods.
Treatment with IDeg resulted in significantly lower rates of severe or confirmed symptomatic hypoglycaemia and severe or confirmed symptomatic nocturnal hypoglycaemia (occurring 00:01–05:59) versus IGlar (Figure). The proportion of patients experiencing severe hypoglycaemia in the maintenance periods was 1.6% for IDeg versus 2.4% for IGlar (p=not significant). Severe hypoglycaemia rates were significantly lower with IDeg versus IGlar in the total treatment period. HbA1c reductions with IDeg were non-inferior to IGlar. Adverse event rates were similar.
Compared with IGlar, IDeg resulted in a consistent reduction in hypoglycaemia in T2D patients at high risk of hypoglycaemia.
Figure. Rate ratios of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of hypoglycaemia.