Improved glycemic control and lower frequency of severe hypoglycemia with insulin detemir; long-term experience in 105 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Comparison of Once-daily Versus Twice-daily Injection of Insulin Detemir in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of once-daily versus twice-daily insulin detemir injection in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: In this randomized 4-month clinical trial, 60 children aged 33 - 156 months with T1DM were randomly assigned into two groups, once-daily (group 1) and twice-daily (group 2) detemir insulin injection with pre-meal insulin Aspart. The first month of the study was devoted to educating the patients and insulin dose titration. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) measured at the end of the first month and again after the fourth month. Hypoglycemia as one of the major complications was defined as blood glucose lower than 70 mg/dL with clinical symptoms or blood glucose lower than 50 mg/dL in the absence of clinical symptoms. Results: Mean HbA1C in the fourth month was 8.5% ± 1% in group 1 and 8.5% ± 1.1% in group 2 (P = 0.98). Mean changes in the fourth month compared to baseline were -0.09% (95% CI: -0.47 - 0.3) in group 1, and -0.42% (95% CI: -0.94 - 0.09) in group 2 (P = 0.273). The treatment modification rate was 39% and 15% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.02). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of insulin dose, hypoglycemia, and other complications. Conclusions: Twice-daily injections did not change HbA1c in comparison with once-daily injections. However, the lower treatment modification rate in the twice-daily group in the age group of our study was considerable.

Fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

This study explored the association between parental fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A total of 120 mothers and 79 fathers participated. Mothers' and fathers' fear of hypoglycemia was significantly associated with anxiety and negative affect as well as with worse glycemic control in child. Paired-samples t-test showed that mothers were more involved in diabetes management and reported more fear and anxiety compared to fathers, but they did not differ in worries about hypoglycemia. The findings suggest screening for fear of hypoglycemia and subjective well-being in all parents regardless of whether their child experienced severe hypoglycemia.

Decrease in clinical hypoglycemia in young children with type 1 diabetes treated with free-mixed aspart and detemir insulin: an open labeled randomized trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of a free-mix of aspart (A) and detemir (D) insulins (ADIM) with a commonly used premixed fixed-ratio aspart and neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin mixture (ANIM) in young children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with twice-daily injections. The trial thus compares not only D vs. NPH, but also flexible, personalized insulin preparations vs. a fixed premixed preparation.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This single-center, open-label, randomized trial included 82 children with T1D. Patients stayed on ANIM for 1 yr of optimization of disease management, then were randomized to either ANIM (N = 41) or ADIM (N = 41) for another year.

OUTCOMES

Frequency of severe or symptomatic episodes, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood glucose (BG) values.

RESULTS

Compared with ANIM, ADIM decreases symptomatic hypoglycemia by approximately 2 fold (p < 0.001) and severe hypoglycemia by 7-10 fold (p = 0.04). ADIM somewhat reduced BG variation. Mean HbA1c was comparable on ADIM (7.9 ± 0.8 %; 63 ± 9 mmol/mol) and ANIM (8.2 ± 0.7 %; 66 ± 8 mmol/mol).

CONCLUSIONS

Using a free-mixing preparation of aspart and detemir insulin decreases hypoglycemia in young children with type 1 diabetes.

Metabolic control by insulin detemir in basal-bolus therapy: treat-to-target study in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of insulin detemir administered once vs. twice daily in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

RESEARCH DESIGN

In this prospective, open-label, treat-to-target study, 37 patients [mean age 12.7 ± 3 yr; diabetes duration 4.2 ± 3 yr, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 8.8 ± 0.8%] were scheduled to receive insulin detemir once daily before breakfast, with pre-meal insulin aspart, for 16-20 wk. Detemir dose titration algorithm was based on age-related target fasting blood glucose levels during 4-8 wk. Patients achieving target range continued on once-daily detemir (Group A) if up-titration could not be done due to hypoglycemia patients were switched to twice-daily detemir (Group B).

RESULTS

Nineteen (51%) patients continued with once-daily detemir. HbA1c decreased significantly in both groups (A: -0.7%, p = 0.02; B: -0.8%, p = 0.004), without a significant difference between groups. The frequency of nocturnal hypoglycemic events/week decreased in both groups but a significant change was found only in Group A (10.9-2.7, p < 0.05 vs. 8.7-5.8, NS), with no change in frequency of severe hypoglycemic episodes in either group. No significant differences were found between and within groups for body mass index-standard deviation score, insulin requirement or treatment satisfaction. Group B patients were significantly younger than Group A patients (11.5 ± 2.3 vs.13.8 ± 3.2 yr, p = 0.01), with a higher percentage in active puberty (50 vs. 11%, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Since twice-daily determir showed no clinical advantage over once-daily detemir, it appears reasonable to commence all children on once-daily detemir, taking into consideration that younger children and those in active puberty may require twice-daily therapy (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00542399).

Usefulness of insulin detemir in Japanese children with type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND

This multicenter observational study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of insulin detemir (detemir) for diabetes management in Japanese children and adolescents.

METHODS

Data from the Japanese Study Group of Insulin Therapy for Childhood and Adolescent Diabetes database were analyzed. Ninety children (32 boys, 58 girls; mean age, 11.9 ± 3.8 years) who transferred from a neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin or insulin glargine basal-bolus regimen to detemir basal-bolus therapy and who were observed for at least 12 months were identified. Clinical data obtained at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months were analyzed to determine the type of bolus insulin used, number and timing of detemir injections, detemir dose as a proportion of the total insulin dose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and frequency of severe hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

Twelve months after switching to detemir, the detemir dose represented 39.8% of the total insulin dose, and 37.8% of patients were being treated with twice-daily injections. HbA1c and FBG were significantly reduced from baseline at 3 and 6 months but not at 12 months. Considering the seasonal HbA1c variation in the Japanese population, a separate analysis was performed using data for 65 children (21 boys, 44 girls; mean age, 11.6 ± 2.9 years) who switched to detemir during the winter. Subset analysis showed significant HbA1c reductions from baseline at all specified times. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia during detemir treatment was 4.4 episodes per 100 patient-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Detemir is an effective and safe basal insulin for diabetes management in Japanese children and adolescents.

Contemporary rates of severe hypoglycaemia in youth with type 1 diabetes: variability by insulin regimen

AIMS

To determine incidence rates of severe hypoglycaemia and compare incidence rates by insulin regimen in a diverse sample of youth with Type 1 diabetes from two sites.

METHODS

In this observational study, 255 youth (51% female) aged 9-15 years receiving varied insulin regimens provided data prospectively for a median of 1.2 years. Reported episodes of severe hypoglycaemia, defined as episodes requiring help from another person for oral treatment or episodes resulting in seizure/coma, and current insulin regimens were collected systematically. Incidence rates were calculated and compared according to insulin regimen in bivariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

At first encounter, participants had a median age of 12.2 years (range 9.0-15.0), median diabetes duration of 4.4 years (range 1.0-13.0) and mean HbA(1c) of 67 ± 12 mmol/mol (8.3 ± 1.1%). The incidence rate was 37.6/100 patient-years for all severe hypoglycaemia and 9.6/100 patient-years for seizure/coma. The incidence rate for severe hypoglycaemia was 31.8/100 patient-years on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (pump therapy), 34.4/100 patient-years on basal-bolus injections and 46.1/100 patient-years on NPH (NPH vs. pump therapy: P = 0.04). The incidence rate for seizure/coma was 4.5/100 patient-years on pump therapy, 11.1/100 patient-years on basal-bolus injections and 14.4/100 patients-years on NPH (NPH vs. pump therapy: P = 0.004). In the multivariate analysis, the rate of seizure/coma was significantly higher for those on NPH vs. pump therapy (rate ratio 2.9, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of severe hypoglycaemia in youth with Type 1 diabetes remain high. Pump therapy was associated with lower rates of all severe hypoglycaemia and seizure/coma in comparison with NPH.

Insulin detemir in a twice daily insulin regimen versus a three times daily insulin regimen in the treatment of type 1 diabetes in children: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Therapeutics in pediatric diabetes: insulin and non-insulin approaches. Part of a series on Pediatric Pharmacology, guest edited by Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Emilio Clementi, and Massimo Molteni

Treatment of pediatric diabetes can be challenging. Strict glucose control can be accompanied by hypoglycemia and weight gain. Recently, there have been many developments in insulin preparations and delivery methods which make insulin levels more close to a physiologic pattern. Newly developed rapid/long acting analogues and delivery devices such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII, insulin pump) may reduce hypoglycemia and improve glycemic control. CSII combined with continuous glucose monitoring can achieve even better glycemic control. The closed-loop system is rapidly evolving and an artificial pancreas will be available in the near future. It is now recognized that several hormones other than insulin such as glucagon, amylin, and incretins contribute to glucose homeostasis. The role of co-adjuncts such as metformin, amylin analogues, and incretin based therapy is now emerging. Immunotherapy in a high risk population or patients in the early phase of type 1 diabetes may prevent further destruction of pancreatic β cells.

Critical appraisal of the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in glycemic control and cardiovascular risk management in diabetics

Insulin detemir is an analog of human insulin designed to provide a long duration of basal insulin action. This is achieved by protracted absorption from the injection depot, which results in part from increased self-association of insulin detemir molecules and in part from reversible albumin binding. Subsequent albumin binding in the circulation is thought to buffer changes in the effects at target tissues that could otherwise arise from variability in absorption rate. In consequence, insulin detemir has shown a less variable pharmacodynamic profile than alternative basal insulins; this manifests as more consistent temporal glucose reduction profiles in repeat-clamp studies. In clinical trials, insulin detemir has been characterized by consistent risk reductions in hypoglycemia, as well as reduced weight gain in comparison with other basal insulins. Given some recent associations that have been made in prospective and epidemiologic studies between glucose variability and/or hypoglycemia and increased cardiovascular risk, and the long-known association between excess weight and cardiovascular risk, it is possible that the clinical profile of insulin detemir may carry prognostic value with regard to cardiovascular safety, although this is yet to be substantiated. There have also been some concerns raised recently over the use of insulin analogs and cancer risk, but available clinical data and the receptor interaction profile of insulin detemir suggest no excess in risk in comparison with human insulin therapy. Optimal approaches for the clinical use of insulin detemir have been emerging through an increasing clinical study base, and the analog is becoming established as a potentially valuable therapy option.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine and insulin detemir with NPH insulin in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus receiving intensive insulin therapy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of insulin glargine and detemir with NPH insulin in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

Thirty four children and adolescents with type 1 DM (mean age 12.7 ± 3.4 years, diabetes duration 5.4 ± 3.0 years) were included in the study. All patients had been receiving intensive insulin therapy with insulin aspart and NPH for at least 6 months before switching from NPH to insulin glargine (Group 1, n=19) or detemir (Group 2, n=15). The medical records obtained within 6 months before and after treatment with insulin glargine and detemir were retrospectively reviewed and the data were compared in each group.

RESULTS

The mean age and duration of DM were similar in two groups (p>0.05). In both groups, switching from NPH to insulin glargine or detemir, resulted in a reduction in HbA(1c) (p0.05, for both). Patients in the detemir treated group had less increment in body mass index (BMI) SDS at the end of 6 months of therapy compared to NPH and glargine treated patients (p>0.05, for both). No side effects were noted throughout the study.

CONCLUSION

Both insulin glargine and detemir improved HbA(1c) at short-term and proved to be safe and well tolerated in children and adolescents with type 1 DM.