Published in:
Open Access 01-08-2017 | Brief Report
Efficacy and Safety of Insulin Degludec for Hyperglycemia Management in Noncritical Hospitalized Patients with Diabetes: An Observational Study
Published in: Diabetes Therapy | Issue 4/2017
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Introduction
To assess the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec administered in a basal-bolus regimen according to the GesTIO protocol in noncritical hospitalized patients with T1DM and T2DM.
Methods
Mean blood glucose levels (BG) and their standard deviations (SD) at admission vs. discharge were compared in 52 subjects (48.1% ≥75 years) managed through a basal-bolus scheme including degludec. The percentages of patients with BG at target (140–180 mg/dl) or below at discharge and the incidence rate (and the 95% confidence interval for it) of hypoglycemia were assessed.
Results
From admission to discharge, fasting BG decreased from 237 to 153 mg/dl (p < 0.0001) and SD dropped from 125 to 38 mg/dl (p < 0.0001); average BG decreased from 189 to 145 mg/dl (SD dropped from 57 to 32 mg/dl). At discharge, 28.9% had BG at target, while 50.0% had lower levels (average 119.0 ± 14.4 mg/dl). The incidence rate of hypoglycemia was 0.07 (0.05; 0.11) episodes per person-day; 1 out of 27 episodes occurred during the night.
Conclusions
Degludec in hospitalized, mainly elderly patients is effective and minimizes glucose variability and nocturnal hypoglycemia.