A pilot study comparing the CGM-assessed glycemic profiles of patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin degludec and insulin glargine

Aims: To compare the diurnal glycemic profiles obtained with basal insulin degludec (InsDeg) and basal insulin glargine (InsGla) in patients with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in an outpatient setting. Methods: Twenty Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes who were using once-daily InsGla before supper as part of their multiple daily insulin injections were consecutively recruited. CGM was initiated before supper on day 1, and InsGla was switched to InsDeg at the same dose on day 3. The average CGM glucose profile obtained on days 1 and 2 was compared with the corresponding profile for days 5 and 6. The bolus insulin regimen was not changed during the study period. Results: CGM glucose was significantly higher (p < 0.05) from 19:30 to 22:30 and significantly lower (p < 0.05) from 6:30 to 8:00 with basal InsDeg than with basal InsGla. The duration of hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dl) was the same regardless of whether basal InsDeg or basal InsGla was used. Conclusions: The peak in the action profile of InsDeg lasts longer and is possibly stronger than that of InsGla. © 2016, The Japan Diabetes Society.