Real-life dosage and clinical efficacy of biphasic insulin preparations in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: This retrospective study used data from a primary care database to compare two insulin products in routine clinical practice for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the UK.

Patients And Methods: Records were analyzed for patients with type 2 diabetes who had been initiated on biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp30) (n=632) or biphasic isophane human insulin 30 (BHI30) (n=762) and who had a glycated hemoglobin (HbA₁(c)) measurement at baseline (up to 6 months before the index date) and end of study (6-12 months after index date). Regression analyses were used to test for a statistically significant interaction between reduction in HbA₁(c) from baseline to end of study and the log-transformed average daily dose (logADD) of insulin.

A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of incretin-based medications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: A systematic review of the literature, in combination with a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing treatments with placebo, was conducted to provide an update on the clinical efficacy and safety of incretin-based medications in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A literature search (2000-2009) identified 38 placebo-controlled trials (phase II or later - parallel design) comparing exenatide (n = 8), liraglutide (n = 7), vildagliptin (n = 11) and sitagliptin (n = 12) with placebo. Outcomes were change from baseline in HbA(1c) and in weight, and the number of patient-reported hypoglycemic episodes.

Functional incapacity and physical and psychological symptoms: how they interconnect in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: It has been argued that perceived functional incapacity might be a primary characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and could be explained by physical symptoms. If so, it could be expected to be closely associated with physical, but not psychological symptoms. The study tests this hypothesis.

Indirect comparison of once daily insulin detemir and glargine in reducing weight gain and hypoglycaemic episodes when administered in addition to conventional oral anti-diabetic therapy in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Aims: Basal insulin administered to type-2 diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control when managed with oral anti-diabetics (OADs) alone can lead to an increased risk of weight gain and hypoglycaemia. In the absence of head-to-head trials, an indirect comparison of the once-daily insulin detemir with insulin glargine was conducted on the following outcomes: weight gain, hypoglycaemic episodes, and HbA(1c).

Methods: Parallel-group randomised controlled trials of at least 20 weeks duration that compared once-daily evening glargine or detemir with a common comparator, neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin (evening), were selected.

Therapy conversion to biphasic insulin aspart 30 improves long-term outcomes and reduces the costs of type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: An observational study in Saudi Arabia indicated that conversion to biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) from human insulin (HI) was associated with improvement of glycaemic control.

Methods: A validated computer simulation model of diabetes was used to project long-term outcomes (such as quality-adjusted life expectancy and direct medical costs) based on patient characteristics and treatment effects observed in the Saudi Arabian PRESENT subgroup (n=598). Baseline prevalence of comorbidities was obtained from published sources.