Patient-level meta-analysis of efficacy and hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes initiating insulin glargine 100 U/mL or neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin analysed according to concomitant oral antidiabetes therapy

Abstract Aims Evaluate efficacy and hypoglycaemia according to concomitant oral antidiabetes drug (OAD) in people with type 2 diabetes initiating insulin glargine 100 U/mL (Gla-100) or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin once daily. Methods Four studies (target fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ⩽100 mg/dL [⩽5.6 mmol/L]; duration ⩾24 weeks) were included. Standardised data from 2091 subjects (Gla-100, n  = 1024; NPH insulin, n  = 1067) were analysed. Endpoints included glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and FPG change, glycaemic target achievement, hypoglycaemia, weight change, and insulin dose. Results Mean HbA1c and FPG reductions were similar with Gla-100 and NPH insulin regardless of concomitant OAD ( P  = 0.184 and P  = 0.553, respectively) and similar proportions of subjects achieved HbA1c P  = 0.603). There was a trend for more subjects treated with Gla-100 achieving FPG ⩽100 mg/dL versus NPH insulin (relative risk [RR] 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.23]; P  = 0.135). Plasma glucose confirmed ( P  = 0.041; nocturnal RR 0.73 [95% CI 0.65–0.83]; P P  = 0.009 and 0.42 U/kg vs 0.39 U/kg; P  = 0.003, respectively). Insulin doses were higher when either insulin was added to sulfonylurea alone. Conclusions Pooled results from treat-to-target trials in insulin-naive people with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a significantly lower overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia risk across different plasma glucose definitions with Gla-100 versus NPH insulin at similar glycaemic control. OAD therapy co-administered with Gla-100 or NPH insulin impacts glycaemic control and overall nocturnal hypoglycaemia risk.