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. 2025 Jan;29(1):52-58.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-24842. Epub 2024 Dec 30.

Insulin Degludec vs Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control in Critical Illness Hyperglycemia

Ibrahim Mohammed El Sherif  1 , Adham Magdy Haggag  1 , Mohamed Hussen Abbas  2 , Walid Y Kamel  1
Affiliations

Insulin Degludec vs Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control in Critical Illness Hyperglycemia

Ibrahim Mohammed El Sherif et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2025 Jan.

Abstract

Aim and background: Hyperglycemia is a serious condition and associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality in both critically ill and non-critically ill people. Improvement in the glycemic level reduces the length of hospital stay, systemic infections and short- and long-term mortality. The aim was to test the effectiveness of insulin degludec vs insulin glargine and regular insulin in controlling blood sugar in patients with critical hyperglycemia.

Materials and methods: Using random control trial, the patients were randomly divided into three equal groups-group R, group G and group D. Each group included 30 patients. Group G was managed using regular insulin together with an insulin glargine. Group D was managed using regular insulin together with an insulin degludec. However, group R was managed using only regular insulin.

Results: The incidence of hypoglycemia was statistically more significant in the group of regular insulin than in groups G and group D with a p-value 0.0069. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding the frequency of hypoglycemia.

Conclusion: Ultra-long-acting insulin can effectively control random blood sugar (RBS) with a decrease in the total dose of insulin used. It is recommended that using insulin degludec is a safe and effective alternative to regular insulin for glycemic control in critically ill patients.

How to cite this article: El Sherif IM, Haggag AM, Abbas MH, Kamel WY. Insulin Degludec vs Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control in Critical Illness Hyperglycemia. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(1):52-58.

Keywords: Critical patients; Glargine; Hyperglycemia; Insulin degludec; Stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: NoneConflict of interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A consolidated standards of reporting trials diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Time to achieve the target serum glucose level among the three groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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