Adjust to target in type 2 diabetes: comparison of a simple algorithm with carbohydrate counting for adjustment of mealtime insulin glulisine.

OBJECTIVE: Carbohydrate counting is an effective approach to mealtime insulin adjustment in type 1 diabetes but has not been rigorously assessed in type 2 diabetes. We sought to compare an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio with a simple algorithm for adjusting the dose of prandial insulin glusiline. RESEARCH AND DESIGN
METHODS: This 24-week, multicenter, randomized, controlled study compared two algorithms for adjusting mealtime (glulisine) insulin along with a standard algorithm for adjusting background (glargine) insulin in 273 intent-to-treat patients with type 2 diabetes. Glulisine and glargine were adjusted weekly in both groups based on self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) results from the previous week. The simple algorithm group was provided set doses of glulisine to take before each meal. The carbohydrate counting (carb count) group was provided an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio to use for each meal and adjusted their glulisine dose based on the amount of carbohydrate consumed.
RESULTS: A1C levels at week 24 were 6.70% (simple algorithm) and 6.54% (carb count). The respective mean A1C changes from baseline to 24 weeks were -1.46 and -1.59% (P = 0.24). A1C <7.0% was achieved by 73.2% (simple algorithm) and 69.2% (carb count) (P = 0.70) of subjects; respective values for A1C <6.5% were 44.3 and 49.5% (P = 0.28). The total daily dose of insulin was lower, and there was a trend toward less weight gain in carb count group patients. Severe hypoglycemia rates were low and equal in the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Weekly basal-bolus insulin adjustments based on premeal and bedtime glucose patterns resulted in significant reductions in A1C. Having two effective approaches to delivering and adjusting rapid-acting mealtime insulin may increase physicians' and patients' willingness to advance therapy to a basal-bolus insulin regimen.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes

Elevated A1C and postprandial glucose levels have been related to risk for long-term complications in diabetes (1–3). Insulin therapy is often needed to achieve target A1C and postprandial glucose levels in type 2 diabetes (4). Although many insulin regimens are available, in this study we examined the use of a physiological regimen that includes a long-acting insulin to provide a basal insulin level for the entire day and a rapid-acting insulin for bolus administration at mealtimes (5,6).

Establishing the optimal mealtime insulin dose in basal-bolus therapy may be difficult because it often involves calculations that consider multiple factors such as current blood glucose, target blood glucose, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, total carbohydrate content of meals, and activity levels (7). Insulin delivery based on carbohydrate counting is the gold standard for improving glycemic control in type 1 diabetes (8,9) but is difficult for some patients (10,11). Neither large, randomized studies of intensive basal-bolus analog insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes nor studies evaluating the efficacy of carbohydrate counting in type 2 diabetes have been conducted. In this 24-week study we compared an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio with a simple pattern control–based algorithm for adjusting the dose of prandial insulin glulisine.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—

This multicenter, controlled, open, randomized, parallel-group study included 2 weeks of screening followed by 24 weeks of treatment. Randomization (1:1) was balanced by metformin administration, baseline number of insulin injections, injection with pen versus syringe and vial, and study center. The study complied with the International Council on Harmonization E6 guideline of May 1996 and with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Institutional review boards approved the protocol and study documents. All patients provided informed written consent.

Participants were aged 18–70 years, had type 2 diabetes for ≥6 months, had A1C of 7–10% at screening, and had taken ≥2 insulin injections/day (36% taking 2 injections and 64% taking >2 injections) with or without metformin (one-third were taking metformin) for ≥3 months before study entry. Upon entry into the study, 37% were using glargine and at least one injection of a rapid-acting insulin analog, 36% were using a premixed insulin, and the remainder were using a mix of various other regimens. Reasons for exclusion were treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs (except metformin) within 3 months before study entry; pregnancy planning, pregnancy, or lactation; serum creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dl in men (≥1.4 mg/dl in women) taking metformin and >3.0 mg/dl for any subject; clinically significant renal disease (other than proteinuria); hepatic disease; New York Heart Association class III–IV heart failure; or any disease or condition that might interfere with study completion.

Treatments

Targets were fasting blood glucose <95 mg/dl, preprandial (before lunch and dinner) blood glucose <100 mg/dl, and bedtime blood glucose <130 mg/dl.

Insulin glargine dosing.

The initial insulin glargine dose was calculated as 50% of the prerandomization total daily insulin dose. Subsequently, dosing was titrated weekly according to the mean of the last 3 days of fasting self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) (Table 1). A dose increase could be split into ≥2 increments over the week.

Table 1—

Insulin glargine and insulin glulisine dose adjustment based on pattern of mealtime blood glucose values for the past week

Insulin glargine adjustments: both groups
Mean of last 3-day fasting SMBG mg/dl	Adjustment
>180 mg/dl	Increase 8 units
140–180 mg/dl	Increase 6 units
120–139 mg/dl	Increase 4 units
95–119 mg/dl	Increase 2units
70–94 mg/dl	No change
<70 mg/dl	Decrease by the same number of units as insulin glulisine increase that titration week or up to 10% of total insulin glargine dose

If more than one-half of the mealtime blood glucose values for the week were below target.

If more than one-half of the mealtime blood glucose values for the week were above target.

Each patient in the carb count group was also given a schedule for a mealtime insulin glulisine correction dose to add a few units if high or subtract a few units if low. §Increase mealtime insulin as needed following this pattern.

Insulin glulisine dosing.

The remaining 50% of the total daily insulin dose was used for mealtime insulin glulisine, which was split to cover three meals: 50% for the largest (most carbohydrate) meal, 33% for the middle-sized meal, and 17% for the smallest meal. Glulisine dose adjustment for both groups was based on prelunch/dinner and bedtime (these three time points are referred to as mealtime) blood glucose patterns from the previous week as shown in Table 1. Simple algorithm patients' premeal doses were set weekly, based on the algorithm in Table 1. Study staff taught the carbohydrate counting (carb count) group about carbohydrate counting and how to use an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio. The insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios for each meal were determined based on the algorithm in Table 1. An insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio allows patients to adjust their insulin based on the amount of carbohydrate they choose to eat at a meal.

Additional antidiabetic medications.

Patients taking metformin at randomization continued using it at the same dose. No other insulin or oral antidiabetic agents were permitted.

Dietary and lifestyle recommendations

Educational materials were specially designed for this study based on the International Diabetes Center Type 2 Diabetes BASICS client book (12). The materials for the simple algorithm group omitted all references to carbohydrate intake except in the context of treating hypoglycemia and having carbohydrate if alcohol was being consumed.

Patient diaries and study visits

Diaries.

All patients recorded SMBG before meals and at bedtime, insulin doses, food and estimated carbohydrate intake per meal (carb count group), information related to hypoglycemia, activity level, and a 7-point blood glucose profile at weeks 0, 12, 18, and 24.

Visits.

Study visits occurred at screening, at baseline, and at weeks 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 (end point). Evaluations included physical examinations, vital signs, electrocardiogram, A1C, hematology and chemistry laboratory tests, and diary review. Adverse events, hypoglycemic episodes, and concomitant medications were recorded. There was weekly contact either by a study visit or a phone call to review diaries and adjust insulin doses.

Efficacy and safety variables

Efficacy.

The primary end point was the change in A1C from baseline to week 24. Secondary variables were change in A1C from baseline to individual study time points; changes from baseline to week 24 in fasting plasma glucose (FPG); preprandial and postprandial blood glucose; 7-point blood glucose profile; average basal, bolus, and total insulin doses; lipids; percentages of patients achieving A1C <7.0 and <6.5% at week 24; and weight gain.

Safety.

All adverse events were recorded. Clinical chemistry and hematology values and physical examination results, including weight and vital signs, were documented.

Hypoglycemia

Severe hypoglycemia was defined as requiring assistance and involved either SMBG <36 mg/dl or treatment with oral carbohydrates, intravenous glucose, or glucagon, with a prompt response to that therapy. Symptomatic hypoglycemia was also documented.

Data analysis

Populations.

The safety population included patients who took ≥1 dose of study medication and had any follow-up information. The intent-to-treat (ITT) population included patients evaluated for safety who had baseline and an on-therapy observation for ≥1 efficacy variable but excluded patients who never received treatment or who were treated but had no postbaseline efficacy assessments.

Sample size.

The noninferiority hypothesis was to be tested; a study with 86 evaluable subjects per treatment arm would have 90% power to detect treatment differences of 0.5%. The SD of σ = 1.0 used in the power computations corresponds to the 95% upper confidence limit of the SD of the A1C change from a previous insulin glulisine trial.

Statistical methodology.

A mixed-model repeated-measures analysis including covariates baseline A1C, number of daily injections before the study (2 or >2), metformin use at randomization, injection method (pen or vial), and study site provided adjusted estimates and changes from baseline by visit for weeks 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 for A1C, FPG, 7-point blood glucose profile, basal and bolus insulin doses, lipids, weight, and BMI. Percentages of patients achieving A1C <7.0 and <6.5% were analyzed by logistic regression that included treatment arm, baseline A1C, and other randomization factors. A Poisson regression model, incorporating overdispersion, was used to analyze the rate of hypoglycemia, and a logistic regression model was used to analyze incidence of hypoglycemia.

RESULTS—

Of 281 patients randomized, 273 comprised the ITT population (Table 2) (136 simple algorithm and 137 carb count) (Fig. 1). Forty ITT patients (12 simple algorithm and 28 carb count) discontinued treatment.

Table 2—

Demographic and clinical characteristics and prior insulin treatment in the ITT population

Characteristic	Simple algorithm	Carb count	P value
n	136	137
Age (years)	55.1 ± 8.8 (29–70)	55.0 ± 9.5 (28–71)	0.8026
Sex
Male	53 (39.0)	67 (48.9)	0.2468
Female	83 (61.0)	70 (51.1)
Race
White	111 (81.6)	109 (79.6)	0.2776
Black	15 (11.0)	15 (10.9)
Asian/Oriental	2 (1.5)	0 (0.0)
Multiracial	0 (0.0)	1 (0.7)
Other	8 (5.9)	12 (8.8)
Height (cm)	169 ± 10.6 (146–198)	170 ± 9.8 (150–193)	0.4560
Weight (kg)	107 ± 24.2 (61–187)	103 ± 21.7 (52–171)	0.1217
BMI (kg/cm2)	37.7 ± 8.1 (21–63)	35.6 ± 7.2 (17–60)	0.0416
A1C (%)	8.1 ± 0.9 (7–10)	8.3 ± 0.9 (6–11)	0.0825
FPG (mg/dl)	162 ± 58.2 (49–306)	163 ± 54.2 (52–341)	0.8112
Age at onset (year)	42.8 ± 10.6 (13–66)	42.4 ± 9.6 (14–63)	0.8594
Diabetes duration (years)	12.9 ± 7.7 (0–40)	13.0 ± 7.8 (0–36)	0.9055
Has subject used a pen for insulin administration?
No	66 (48.5)	62 (45.3)	0.7788
Yes	69 (50.7)	75 (54.7)
Number of injections at randomization
2 per day	43 (31.6)	57 (41.6)	0.0211
>2 per day	93 (68.4)	80 (58.4)
Metformin used at randomization
No	90 (66.2)	89 (65.0)	0.5793
Yes	46 (33.8)	48 (35.0)

Data are means ± SD (range) or n (%).

Figure 1—

Disposition of patients. AEs, adverse events.

Primary efficacy analysis

For the primary efficacy analysis, ANCOVA was used to compare change from baseline in A1C at week 24 after adjustment for baseline A1C. Noninferiority of the simple algorithm compared with carb count was established because the mean A1C improved in both treatment arms to a similar degree (simple algorithm 1.46% decrease; carb count 1.59% decrease), and the 95% confidence bounds on the mean difference were well within the noninferiority margin of 0.5% specified in the study protocol (week 24: carb count − simple algorithm = −0.13%) with 95% confidence bounds (−0.35 to 0.09%).

Secondary efficacy analyses

A1C levels at week 24 were 6.70% (simple algorithm) and 6.54% (carb count) (Fig. 2); at each time point, changes from baseline were statistically significant with both treatments (P < 0.0001). By 12 weeks both groups had achieved an average A1C of <7.0%. At the end point, 73.0% (simple algorithm) and 69.2% (carb count) of patients had A1C <7.0% (P = 0.70); respective values for A1C <6.5% were 44.3 and 49.5% (P = 0.28).

Figure 2—

A: A1C: change from baseline in simple algorithm and carb count groups at weeks 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 (ITT population). B: FPG: change from baseline in simple algorithm and carb count groups at weeks 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 (ITT population). C: Glucose profiles from 7-point SMBG testing at baseline and week 24 in simple algorithm and carb count groups (ITT population).

By week 24, both arms had significantly improved FPG adjusted means from baseline (simple algorithm 112.0 mg/dl; carb count 101.8 mg/dl; P < 0.0001 for both). The change from baseline was −40.4 mg/dl in the simple algorithm group patients and −50.6 mg/dl in the carb count group patients (P = 0.059) (Fig. 2). By 12 weeks the average FPG was 108 mg/dl (simple algorithm) and 112 mg/dl (carb count). Blood glucose values at each visit declined in both arms, and the within-group change from baseline was statistically significant over all daily time points and study visits (Fig. 2).

Changes in insulin doses

At baseline, the mean insulin glulisine, insulin glargine, and total insulin doses were 53.9, 53.9, and 107.8 units (simple algorithm) and 50.5, 50.5, and 100.9 units (carb count), respectively. At week 24, the adjusted mean insulin glulisine (P = 0.0011), insulin glargine (P < 0.0001), and total insulin doses (P = 0.0002) were significantly higher in simple algorithm than in carb count group patients (108.7, 102.5, and 207.4 units vs. 88.9, 86.4, and 175.5 units, respectively). At 24 weeks, the total insulin dose was 1.9 units/kg (simple algorithm group) and 1.7 units/kg (carb count group) (see Table 3 of the online appendix available at http://dx.doi.org/10.2337/dc07-2137).

Lipids

Adjusted mean total cholesterol decreased slightly in both groups from baseline to week 24. A significant decrease was observed only for week 12 among the carb count group patients: from 175.0 to 168.5 mg/dl (−8.35 mg/dl; P < 0.01). Neither HDL nor LDL cholesterol changed significantly from baseline to week 24 in either group; no between-group differences were observed at week 12 or 24. Triglycerides decreased significantly from baseline to week 12 in both the carb count (144.0 to 128.5 mg/dl) and simple algorithm (164.7 to 148.3 mg/dl) groups (−18.27 mg/dl, P < 0.0001 and −15.14 mg/dl, P < 0.004, respectively). There was also a significant reduction in triglycerides from baseline to week 24 in the carb count (144.0 to 133.0 mg/dl) group but not in the simple algorithm (164.7 to 153.4 mg/dl) group (−13.19 mg/dl, P = 0.008 and −8.19 mg/dl P = 0.170, respectively).

Weight and BMI

Both groups gained weight at 24 weeks: simple algorithm 3.6 kg (3.4%) and carb count 2.4 kg (2.3%) (P = 0.06 for the between-group difference at week 24). Both groups showed a small but significant increase in BMI at 24 weeks: simple algorithm 1.28 kg/m2 and carb count 0.83 kg/m2 (both P < 0.0001 vs. baseline; P = 0.037 between groups).

Safety

Adverse events.

The population used to determine adverse events and hypoglycemia came from the safety population. Overall, 102 (73.9%) simple algorithm and 98 (70.5%) carb count group patients reported ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse events. In both groups, the most common adverse events were upper respiratory tract infection (simple algorithm 17.4%; carb count 10.8%), nasopharyngitis (8.7% vs. 5.8%, respectively), sinusitis (8.0% vs. 6.5%), and influenza (5.1% vs. 6.5%). Of 42 serious adverse events, 41 were nonfatal: 22 (15.9%) in the simple algorithm group and 19 (13.7%) in the carb count group. One death due to myocardial infarction occurred in the carb count group. Adverse events caused six (4.3%) patients in the carb count group and three (2.2%) patients in the simple algorithm group to discontinue treatment.

Hypoglycemia.

The simple algorithm group had 53 episodes of severe hypoglycemia in 19 patients, and the carb count group had 37 episodes in 19 patients, leading to estimates of 0.89 and 0.67 events/patient-year for the two groups (P = 0.58). SMBG <70 mg/dl with symptoms was not statistically significant between the two groups (P = 0.08). However, SMBG <50 mg/dl with symptoms was slightly but statistically significantly more common in the carb count group than in the simple algorithm group (8.0 vs. 4.9 events/patient-year, P = 0.02).

Clinical and laboratory examinations.

Changes from baseline were minor and not clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS—

This is one of the few randomized controlled trials to evaluate basal-bolus analog insulin therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes and one of the first studies to evaluate the use of carbohydrate counting in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using a simple algorithm to adjust mealtime insulin glulisine each week based on SMBG patterns was as effective as adjusting mealtime insulin using insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios. Both approaches yielded a reduction of about 1.5% in A1C with no significant differences in mean A1C change from baseline or in the percentage of patients achieving A1C goals of <6.5% (13) or <7.0% (14). Both regimens were well tolerated. The risk for severe hypoglycemia was low and not significantly different between groups.

Other studies (15,16) have shown that patients whose diabetes is well-controlled with insulin often have a basal:bolus insulin ratio close to 50%:50%. At week 24, after multiple weekly titrations of insulin based on SMBG patterns, both the simple algorithm and the carb count groups had basal-bolus insulin ratios of ∼49%:51%. In addition, at the end of the study, the bolus insulin dose was split between breakfast, lunch, and dinner: ∼27, 35, and 38% in the simple algorithm group and 25, 34, and 41% in the carb count group, respectively. At week 24, both groups required large total daily insulin doses (simple algorithm 1.9 units/kg and carb count 1.7 units/kg). The lower total insulin doses for the carb count group patients may reflect more matching of insulin doses to carbohydrate intake at each meal as opposed to the set meal doses of those in the simple algorithm group.

In a recent study comparing three approaches to starting a single type of analog insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes (basal, biphasic premixed, and prandial), Holman et al. (17) concluded that although each regimen improved glucose control, most patients were likely to need more than one type of insulin to achieve target glucose levels. The percentages of patients who achieved the target A1C of the study (<6.5%) were 8.1% basal, 17.0% biphasic, and 23.9% prandial. Although one cannot directly compare insulin regimens from different study populations, it seems that diabetes in our study population would be more difficult to control because patients had a longer duration of diabetes and were more obese than subjects in the trial of Holman et al. In the study reported here, however, patients with type 2 diabetes using basal:bolus therapy achieved an A1C <6.5% almost half of the time (simple algorithm 44.3% and carb count 49.5%).

Although basal-bolus insulin therapy can improve glycemic control in type 1 (6,18) and type 2 (19,20) diabetes, the most effective use of SMBG for adjusting the basal-bolus insulin doses has not been clearly established (21–24). Some feel that postprandial monitoring is critical to establishing good glycemic control, whereas others are not convinced that postprandial testing is essential (25). In the present study, we showed that patients with type 2 diabetes using fasting and mealtime SMBG testing alone to monitor and adjust their rapid-acting and long-acting insulin analogs achieved excellent glucose control as measured by A1C, with minimal severe hypoglycemia.

The key elements of successful insulin therapy are optimizing glycemic control while minimizing hypoglycemia. Patients can learn to adjust mealtime insulin by either using a simple algorithm or learning to use insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios. Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios allow flexibility in food choices and enable relatively precise matching of mealtime insulin needs but can seem complex and may be difficult for some patients to implement (10,11). We have shown that a standard mealtime insulin glulisine dose adjusted weekly on the basis of preprandial blood glucose patterns can achieve the same goals as a regimen that adjusts mealtime insulin based on insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios. It may be that our simple algorithm group patients either consumed fairly consistent amounts of carbohydrates, thus minimizing needed changes in insulin dosing, or learned to modify their carbohydrate intake based on SMBG measurements.

In summary, having two effective approaches to deliver and adjust rapid-acting mealtime insulin (a simple algorithm and insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio) may increase patients' and clinicians' willingness to undertake basal:bolus insulin therapy, a step that is often needed to achieve optimal glucose control in type 2 diabetes.