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Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes in a 26‐week, treat‐to‐target, phase 3 trial. Materials and methods After an 8‐week lead‐in to optimize basal insulin glargine or degludec, patients were randomized to double‐blind mealtime URLi (n = 451) or lispro (n = 442), or open‐label post‐meal URLi (n = 329). The primary endpoint was change from baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) to 26 weeks (non‐inferiority margin 0.4%), with multiplicity‐adjusted objectives for postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions after a meal test. Results Both mealtime and post‐meal URLi demonstrated non‐inferiority to lispro for HbA1c: estimated treatment difference (ETD) for mealtime URLi −0.08% [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.16, 0.00] and for post‐meal URLi +0.13% (95% CI 0.04, 0.22), with a significantly higher endpoint HbA1c for post‐meal URLi versus lispro (P = 0.003). Mealtime URLi was superior to lispro in reducing 1‐ and 2‐hour PPG excursions during the meal test: ETD −1.55 mmol/L (95% CI −1.96, −1.14) at 1 hour and − 1.73 mmol/L (95% CI −2.28, −1.18) at 2 hours (both P < 0.001). The rate and incidence of severe, documented and postprandial hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L) was similar between treatments, but mealtime URLi demonstrated a 37% lower rate in the period >4 hours after meals (P = 0.013). Injection site reactions were reported by 2.9% of patients on mealtime URLi, 2.4% on post‐meal URLi, and 0.2% on lispro. Overall, the incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was similar between treatments. Conclusions The results showed that URLi provided good glycaemic control, with non‐inferiority to lispro confirmed for both mealtime and post‐meal URLi, while superior PPG control was demonstrated with mealtime dosing.

BACKGROUND Short stature and ovarian failure are characteristic features of Turner’s syndrome. Although recombinant human growth hormone is commonly used to treat the short stature associated with this syndrome, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial is needed to document whether such treatment increases adult height. Furthermore, it is not known whether childhood estrogen replacement combined with growth hormone therapy provides additional benefit. We examined the independent and combined effects of growth hormone and early, ultra-low-dose estrogen on adult height in girls with Turner’s syndrome. METHODS In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 149 girls, 5.0 to 12.5 years of age, to four groups: double placebo (placebo injection plus childhood oral placebo, 39 patients), estrogen alone (placebo injection plus childhood oral low-dose estrogen, 40), growth hormone alone (growth hormone injection plus childhood oral placebo, 35), and growth hormone–estrogen (growth hormone injection plus childhood oral low-dose estrogen, 35). The dose of growth hormone was 0.1 mg per kilogram of body weight three times per week. The doses of ethinyl estradiol (or placebo) were adjusted for chronologic age and pubertal status. At the first visit after the age of 12.0 years, patients in all treatment groups received escalating doses of ethinyl estradiol. Growth hormone injections were terminated when adult height was reached. RESULTS The mean standard-deviation scores for adult height, attained at an average age of 17.0±1.0 years, after an average study period of 7.2±2.5 years were −2.81±0.85, −3.39±0.74, −2.29±1.10, and −2.10±1.02 for the double-placebo, estrogen-alone, growth hormone–alone, and growth hormone–estrogen groups, respectively (P<0.001). The overall effect of growth hormone treatment (vs. placebo) on adult height was a 0.78±0.13 increase in the height standard-deviation score (5.0 cm) (P<0.001); adult height was greater in the growth hormone–estrogen group than in the growth hormone–alone group, by 0.32±0.17 standard-deviation score (2.1 cm) (P = 0.059), suggesting a modest synergy between childhood low-dose ethinyl estradiol and growth hormone. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows that growth hormone treatment increases adult height in patients with Turner’s syndrome. In addition, the data suggest that combining childhood ultra-low-dose estrogen with growth hormone may improve growth and provide other potential benefits associated with early initiation of estrogen replacement. (Funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Eli Lilly; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00001221.)

This large-scale, randomized, multicenter clinical trial in subjects with SHOX-D demonstrates marked, highly significant, GH-stimulated increases in height velocity and height SDS during the 2-yr study period. The efficacy of GH treatment in subjects with SHOX-D was equivalent to that seen in subjects with TS. We conclude that GH is effective in improving the linear growth of patients with various forms of SHOX-D.

Objective To assess basal insulin persistence, associated factors, and economic outcomes for insulin-na€ ıve people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the US. Research design and methods People aged 18 years diagnosed with T2DM initiating basal insulin between April 2006 and March 2012 (index date), no prior insulin use, and continuous insurance coverage for 6 months before (baseline) and 24 months after index date (follow-up period) were selected using de-identified administrative claims data in the US. Based on whether there were 30 day gaps in basal insulin use in the first year post-index, patients were classified as continuers (no gap), interrupters (1 prescription after gap), and discontinuers (no prescription after gap). Main outcome measures Factors associated with persistence -assessed using multinomial logistic regression model; annual healthcare resource use and costs during follow-up period -compared separately between continuers and interrupters, and continuers and discontinuers. Results Of the 19,110 people included in the sample (mean age: 59 years, 60% male), 20% continued to use basal insulin, 62% had 1 interruption, and 18% discontinued therapy in the year after initiation. Older age, multiple antihyperglycemic drug use, and injectable antihyperglycemic use during baseline were associated with significantly higher likelihoods of continuing basal insulin. Relative to interrupters and discontinuers, continuers had fewer emergency department visits, shorter hospital stays, and lower medical costs (continuers: $10,890, interrupters: $13,674, discontinuers: $13,021), but higher pharmacy costs (continuers: $7449, interrupters: $5239, discontinuers: $4857) in the first year post-index (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Total healthcare costs were similar across the three cohorts. Findings for the second year post-index were similar. Conclusions The majority of people in this study interrupted or discontinued basal insulin treatment in the year after initiation; and incurred higher medical resource use and costs than continuers. The findings are limited to the commercially insured population in the US. In addition, persistence patterns were assessed using administrative claims as opposed to actual medicationtaking behavior and did not account for measures of glycemic control. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind basal insulin persistence and the implications thereof, to help clinicians manage care for T2DM more effectively. ARTICLE HISTORY