Improved glycemic control with insulin aspart: a multicenter randomized double-blind crossover trial in type 1 diabetic patients. UK Insulin Aspart Study Group

Abstract

Objective: To compare glycemic control obtained with the new rapid-acting insulin analog insulin aspart with that obtained with unmodified human insulin using algorithm-driven dosage adjustment.

Research design and methods: This was a multicenter randomized double-blind crossover study of 90 male subjects with type 1 diabetes. Insulin aspart or soluble human insulin was administered before meals, and NPH insulin was administered at bedtime as basal therapy. Each 4-week study period ended with a 24-h inpatient serum insulin and plasma glucose profile.

Results: The 24-h plasma glucose control obtained with insulin aspart, as assessed by excursions of blood glucose outside a predefined normal range (4.0-7.0 mmo/l), was superior (22% reduction in excursion, P < 0.01). Fructosamine levels remained unchanged with insulin aspart, with daytime glycemic control superior but nighttime glycemic control inferior. Eight-point home blood glucose profiles confirmed that insulin aspart significantly improved postprandial blood glucose control after lunch and dinner (P < 0.05) without deterioration of preprandial blood glucose control. Hypoglycemic episodes requiring third-party intervention were significantly fewer with insulin aspart than with human insulin (20 vs. 44 events, P < 0.002). Insulin aspart was well tolerated.

Conclusions: In comparison with human insulin, insulin aspart can improve postprandial glycemic control as assessed by a reduction in hyper- and hypoglycemic excursions in people with type 1 diabetes. For its full potential to be realized, it will need to provide better control of nighttime hyperglycemia.