Insulin initiation in primary care for patients with type 2 diabetes: six month follow-up audit

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the initiation of basal insulin therapy on glycaemic control (HbA1C) and weight gain in patients with poorly controlled weight gain in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who were registered with practices that volunteered to participate in an insulin initiation training programme.

Methods

Data at baseline, three and six months post-insulin initiation were collected from log diaries and analysed, for up to 10 patients per practice for each trained healthcare professional (HCP).

Results

Out of 132 participating HCP, 94 (71.2%) provided baseline and three-month data. In 835 patients, of these, 475 (56.9%) also had six-month data. The mean HbA1C at baseline was 9.6%, at three months post insulin initiation it was 8.6%, and at six months it was 7.9%. Out of 381 patients with data on weight change, 1.9% gained weight (mean gain of 1.5 kg over six months). HCPs reported confidence in initiating insulin. They perceived that there was a high level of acceptability to patients.

Conclusion

Attending an insulin initiation training programme may prepare primary HCPs to initiate insulin therapy for patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2008;8:28-31.