Iowa medicaid 2: lapse of glycemic control on abrupt transition from insulin glargine to insulin detemir in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Iowa Care (Iowa Medicaid in State of Iowa, USA), switched insulin glargine to detemir in subjects with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) without the knowledge or approval of healthcare providers beginning 8/2006.Impact of this transition in subjects with Type 1 DM is recently reported. Objective: To examine the impact of this transition on various parameters of diabetes management in Type 2 DM. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective review of the records of subjects with Type 2 DM was conducted until 8/2007 in whom the transition had occurred. Only those subjects with adequate glycemic control while receiving insulin glargine [GI] and completing at least 3 months of therapy with insulin detemir [DI] are included in this report. Ten subjects with Type 2 DM, duration 7 ± 2 years with age, 55 ± 3 years who were switched from GI to DI (Group 1) fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Subjects were switched from GI in Q AM to DI Q HS in the same daily dose. Glycemic control (HbA1c), body weight, daily insulin dose (Units) and severe hypoglycemic events during the last 2 weeks of the period, pre switch and again at the end of 3 months post switch were assessed. Records of 8 subjects matched for age, duration of DM, glycemic control while receiving GI for additional 3 months (Group 2) during the same period were examined for comparison. All subjects were followed in the outpatient clinic at intervals of 3 months. Results Glycemic control remained stable on continuing GI AM; HbA1c; 7.1 ± 0.3 to 7.1 ± 0.3%, while it worsened on switching to DI Q HS; HbA1c, 7.1 ± 0.3 to 8.1 ± 0.5 [P < 0.01]. A mild weight loss was noted in subjects on transition. No severe hypoglycemic events were reported in any subject in either group. Conclusion Abrupt transition from insulin glargine to insulin detemir in subjects with Type 2 DM is likely to result in lapse of glycemic control which may cause decreased quality of life. Furthermore, use of insulin detemir may result in increased costs due to need of the higher daily dose as well as additional equipment required for probable twice daily administration to achieve adequate glycemic control. Therefore, insulin glargine and detemir appear to be far from being bioequivalent.