Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetic patients often require insulin therapy for better glycaemic control. However, many of these patients do not receive insulin or do not receive it in a timely manner.
Objective: The study was planned to assess the proportion of type 2 diabetic patients attaining treatment goals as per the ADA 2018 guidelines. In addition, patient’s perception of insulin therapy was assessed and compared between insulin naïve and insulin-initiated type 2 diabetic patients.
Methods: The study was conducted in type 2 diabetic patients. Data on their demographics, medical history, duration of diabetes, history of diabetes related complications, the current anti-diabetic medication received, and the most recent glycaemic parameters were all noted. Patient’s perception of insulin initiation was recorded through a structured interview.
Results: A total of 129 patients were included in the study. Around 76.7% patients achieved HbA1c target (<7%). The duration of the disease is much higher in patients who did not meet the HBA1c target. A good number of patients felt that insulin injection would be physically painful (56.5%). The majority of the patients also felt that insulin would make their life less flexible (64.8%). Many patients have the opinion that insulin is required for life long (73.2%). More number of patients on insulin agreed with the statement ‘Leads to good short-term outcomes as well as long-term benefits’ compared to insulin naïve patients.
Conclusion: The results highlight that the proportion of patients achieving the recommended glycaemic target is not satisfactory. Many patients who are inadequately controlled with oral anti-diabetic drugs were reluctant to initiate insulin.
Keywords: Glycaemic control, initiation of insulin, oral anti-diabetic drugs, type 2 diabetic patients, insulin therapy, glycaemic parameters.
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