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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 May;16(5):827-841.
doi: 10.1111/jdi.70002. Epub 2025 Feb 5.

Efficacy and safety of premixed versus basal-bolus regimens as intensification of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Mohsen Dehghani  1 , Masoumeh Sadeghi  1   2 , Farzaneh Barzkar  3 , Mohammad Ebrahim Khamseh  3 , Ashkan Torshizian  2 , Hamid Reza Baradaran  4   5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy and safety of premixed versus basal-bolus regimens as intensification of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Mohsen Dehghani et al. J Diabetes Investig. 2025 May.

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the efficacy and safety of the basal-bolus and premixed insulin as intensification regimens in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A comprehensive search of online databases was performed until December 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing premixed insulin versus basal-bolus regimen with treat-to-target intention. The Cochrane ROB-2 tool and GRADE approach were used for quality assessment and certainty of the evidence, respectively. Pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis models.

Results: Eighteen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, and 66% had a low risk of bias. We found no significant difference between the two regimens regarding HbA1c reduction (WMD: 0.03% [-0.05%, 0.10%]). The basal-bolus regimen improved fasting plasma glucose (FPG) more than the premixed regimen (WMD: 6.35 mg/dL [0.31, 12.39]). Both had similar effects on weight gain. The odds of developing overall, nocturnal, and severe hypoglycemia were comparable (pooled OR: 0.9, 1.02, and 1.00, respectively) with no heterogeneity. Findings of the model were robust. The certainty of the evidence was moderate to high for all outcomes except FPG.

Conclusions: Two regimens are clinically comparable. Patient preference should be considered when adopting an individualized approach in a real-world setting.

Keywords: Basal‐bolus Insulin; Premixed Insulin; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for selection of studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of the mean difference in HbA1c (HbA1c decrease from baseline, %) in all 18 randomized controlled trials comparing premixed insulin versus basal‐bolus regimen for type 2 diabetes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot of the mean difference in fasting plasma glucose (premixed insulin vs. basal‐bolus regimen) for type 2 diabetes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot for the mean difference in body weight (premixed insulin vs. basal‐bolus regimen) for type 2 diabetes.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest plot of the odds ratio of any/overall hypoglycemia (premixed insulin vs. basal‐bolus regimen) for type 2 diabetes.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest plot of the odds ratio of nocturnal hypoglycemia (premixed insulin vs. basal‐bolus regimen) for type 2 diabetes.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Forest plot for the odds ratio of severe hypoglycemia (premixed insulin vs. basal‐bolus regimen) for type 2 diabetes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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