Artikel
Results of a German observational study (Anwendungsbeobachtung) internationally considered as evidence for the real-life benefit of Insulin Glargin
Ergebnisse einer deutschen Anwendungsbeobachtung zum klinischen Nutzen von Insulin Glargin
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Autoren
Veröffentlicht: | 16. Oktober 2003 |
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Gliederung
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Background and Aim
The efficacy and safety of Insulin Glargin (I.G.), a long-acting insulin analogue with new chemical and pharmacological characteristics, are well known from controlled clinical studies. The aim of this observational, non-interventional, study was to confirm the benefits of IG in conditions of daily practice in Type 1 or 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients.
Material and Method
The study was conducted in Germany in approximately 10'000 patients (35% Type 1 DM, 65 % Type 2 DM) according to recommendations of the German Drug Law and the BfArM. Patients previously failing good metabolic control were treated for up to 8 weeks with IG. Duration of diabetes, diabetic complications, previous therapies, HbA1c at baseline and after 8 weeks were collected, as well as patients' opinion of the treatment, especially regarding hypoglycemia.
Results
Mean HbA1c was 8.2 % in Type 1 and 8.8 % in Type 2 DM. In both groups, a relevant decrease of HbA1c was observed after 8 weeks (0.6 % and 1.2 % mean reduction in Type 1 and Type 2 DM respectively). On average, there was no significant variation of body weight. In both groups, numerous patients (70.3 % Type 1, 57.4% Type 2) reported to have experienced fewer hypoglycemic episodes than with previous regimens.
The results of this study were submitted to the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) in the UK and the Commission de Transparence in France, and considered by these institutions as valid supportive evidence in the evaluation of IG leading to reimbursement and pricing recommendations.
Conclusion
The value of well conducted observational non-interventional surveys as a useful tool to confirm under real life conditions the benefits of pharmaceuticals demonstrated in controlled clinical studies will be more and more recognized.