In a nutshell
This study compared the effectiveness and safety of fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) with conventional insulin aspart (IAsp) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It was determined that faster aspart may be better at controlling blood glucose levels, without increasing the risk of side effects.
Some background
Reducing HbA1c (measures average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months) can reduce diabetes-related complications. Controlling blood glucose levels after a meal is important in controlling HbA1c. IAsp is a type of insulin that can control changes in blood glucose after a meal because it acts quickly, over a short period of time. Faster aspart is a newer insulin drug that aims to further improve control of blood glucose levels after a meal by acting even faster.
Methods & findings
761 adults with T1D were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups. 381 participants received faster aspart at mealtimes. The other 380 received IAsp at mealtimes. They were followed up after 52 weeks.
After 52 weeks of treatment, average HbA1c levels fell by 0.08% in the group treated with faster aspart. Average HbA1c levels increased by 0.01% in the group treated with IAsp.
Faster aspart was found to be better at controlling blood glucose levels after a meal than IAsp. Those who were treated with faster aspart were 57% more likely to reach target blood glucose levels after a meal than those treated with IAsp.
After 52 weeks the blood glucose levels, measured by the participants, were reduced by 0.41 mmol/L in the faster aspart group, and 0.18 mmol/L in the IAsp group. Average fasting blood glucose (blood glucose levels after a period with no food or drink), daily insulin dose, and body weight, increased by a similar amount in both groups.
Side effects occurred at a similar rate in both groups. 93.8% of participants in the faster aspart group, and 97.4% of participants in the IAsp group reported at least one episode of hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood glucose). Other side effects occurred in 83.9% of people in the faster aspart group and 84.2% of the IAsp group. Most of these were of mild or moderate severity.
The bottom line
The study concluded that faster aspart could control HbA1c levels and blood glucose levels after a meal, better than IAsp, without increasing the risk of side effects.
The fine print
This study was funded by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturers of faster aspart.
What’s next?
Discuss the use of different types of insulin with your physician.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Jan 05, 2018
