New data demonstrate benefits of modern insulins, Levemir and NovoMix 30

New data on Danish firm Novo Nordisk's modern insulins, Levemir and NovoMix 30, announced at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), show improved treatment benefits, including increased patient satisfaction and reduced HbA1c respectively.

The TITRATE study allowed 244 patients with type 2 diabetes to self-titrate with once-daily Levemir to one of two pre-determined fasting glucose targets over 20 weeks. Patients in both groups, surveyed via the validated Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ), showed improved satisfaction with their treatment in seven out of eight criteria at week 20 compared with the start. The greatest improvement related to patient experience of how often they experienced unacceptably high blood sugar. The study also showed an achieved mean HbA1c of 6.8%, with up to 64% of patients reaching ADA recommended blood sugar levels at 20 weeks (<7%) in patients with a fasting plasma glucose (fpb) titration target of 3.9-5.0 mmol/l.>

'Educating people with diabetes to take an active role in the management of their treatment has shown to be of great benefit,' said Jill Hill, diabetes nurse consultant in Birmingham, UK. 'Patients were able to reach internationally recognized glucose control levels, and their overall feeling of satisfaction in doing so was improved compared to their previous treatment. Patient empowerment, therefore, appears to be a key element in improving health and emotional outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes,' she noted.