Introduction & Objective: Basal insulin is recommended as the initial insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) when glycaemic control cannot be achieved with other glucose-lowering therapies. We aimed to understand the experiences of people with T2D treated with basal insulin, barriers to basal insulin therapy use among those who are insulin naïve, and perceptions of once-weekly insulin.
Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted from March-April 2023 among adults with T2D in Australia, France, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and United Kingdom. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.
Results: A total of 700 people self-reporting a T2D diagnosis completed the survey (347 basal insulin treated/353 insulin naïve). The burden of managing T2D was higher among insulin treated who were more likely than insulin naïve people with T2D to strongly agree that they were tired of worrying about their T2D (47% vs 34%), worry about having a severe low glucose event (39% vs 27%) and were overwhelmed by both their T2D (36% vs 26%) and the number of all medicines they need to take (41% vs 29%). Only 52% of all people with T2D were satisfied with their current T2D medication; 58% of insulin treated were satisfied with their basal insulin. Although 86% of all people with T2D felt it was important for their T2D to be controlled, only 52% thought it was currently in control. Some people with T2D (31%) forgot to take their basal insulin/T2D medication at least sometimes. When shown a profile of a once-weekly basal insulin, 86% and 65% of insulin treated and insulin naïve people with T2D, respectively, reported being highly likely to use it if recommended by their healthcare provider. People with T2D agreed a once-weekly basal insulin would be convenient to take (73% insulin treated vs 56% insulin naïve) and easy to administer (71% vs 45%).
Conclusion: This survey identified challenges in T2D management and insulin use, some of which may be addressed by once-weekly basal insulin.
S.R. Heller: Research Support; Dexcom, Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk. Other Relationship; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker's Bureau; Medtronic. Advisory Panel; Zealand Pharma A/S, Zucara Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. A. Unnikrishnan: Speaker's Bureau; Sanofi. Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. Speaker's Bureau; AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Abbott, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Research Support; Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. O. Akkus: Employee; Novo Nordisk. S. Linjawi: None. M.J. Shah: Employee; Novo Nordisk. Stock/Shareholder; Novo Nordisk.
Novo Nordisk A/S
