Hypoglycemia is an often underrecognized side effect of type 2 diabetes therapy. This study assessed the burden of hypoglycemia in this population in Sweden and included 309 patients aged 35 years or older and treated with insulin and/or oral antidiabetic agents. Data were gathered through patient questionnaires/interviews and chart reviews. The results showed that 115 patients (37%) reported symptoms of hypoglycemia during the preceding month. Patients with hypoglycemia were more affected by their diabetes, reported lower general health, and were more anxious about hypoglycemia than those without hypoglycemia. The direct and indirect costs of hypoglycemia per patient with hypoglycemic symptoms were estimated to be U.S. $12.9 and $14.1, respectively, for a 1-month period. The results indicate that hypoglycemia is common, and that a reduction in these symptoms, without reducing glycemic control, may improve patient well-being and possibly also reduce cost.
The results indicate that hypoglycemic events lead to substantial costs, but data are scarce and more studies are needed to better understand the cost and consequences of hypoglycemia.
OBJECTIVE -The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes receiving an inhaled insulin or subcutaneous insulin regimen, as assessed by pooled analysis of two 12-week parent studies and 1-year extension studies.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -In the 12-week parent studies, patients with type 1 (n ϭ 70) or type 2 (n ϭ 51) diabetes were randomized to an inhaled insulin or subcutaneous insulin regimen. In the 1-year extension studies, patients were allowed to select either treatment regimen. Patient satisfaction was assessed at baseline, week 12, and 1 year using the Patient Satisfaction with Insulin Therapy questionnaire.RESULTS -Of the 60 patients who received inhaled insulin during the parent studies, 85.0% (n ϭ 51) chose to continue treatment, 13.3% (n ϭ 8) switched to subcutaneous insulin, and 1.7% (n ϭ 1) did not continue. Of the 61 patients who received subcutaneous insulin, 21.3% (n ϭ 13) chose to continue treatment, 75.4% (n ϭ 46) switched to inhaled insulin, and 3.3% (n ϭ 2) did not continue. From baseline (parent studies) to 1 year (extension studies), HbA 1c reductions of 0.8% were sustained, and greater improvements were observed in the inhaled insulin group compared with the subcutaneous insulin group in terms of overall satisfaction (37.9 vs. 3.1%; P Ͻ 0.01) and ease of use (43.2 vs. Ϫ0.9%; P Ͻ 0.01).CONCLUSIONS -Inhaled insulin was preferred over subcutaneous insulin, which resulted in greater patient satisfaction up to 1 year in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes with durable effects on HbA 1c levels.
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