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Insulin aspart : an evidence-based medicine review
1Prescribing Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Clinical Drug Investigation
|May 26, 2007
Summary
Insulin aspart offers better glycemic control and convenience compared to human insulin in adults with diabetes. This rapid-acting insulin analogue also shows comparable efficacy and safety in children and is effective for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Diabetes Mellitus Research
Background:
- Human insulin (HI) is a standard treatment for diabetes mellitus.
- Rapid-acting insulin analogues aim to improve glycemic control and patient convenience.
- Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analogue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate published evidence on the efficacy, safety, and administration of insulin aspart versus human insulin.
- To assess insulin aspart's performance in adults, children, and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Cochrane, BIOSIS, EMBASE-DP, MEDLINE).
- Publications were independently assessed for relevance and graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine system.
- Evidence quality was high, with Grade A evidence for all assessed categories.
Main Results:
- Insulin aspart demonstrated superior glycemic control without increased hypoglycemia risk in adults compared to HI.
- Evidence showed reduced nocturnal hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin aspart.
- Comparable efficacy and safety were observed in pediatric patients, and insulin aspart proved effective and well-tolerated for CSII.
Conclusions:
- Insulin aspart mimics physiological post-meal insulin response more effectively than regular HI.
- It offers advantages in glycemic control, hypoglycemia reduction, and administration convenience for type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients.
- A robust body of evidence supports the efficacy, tolerability, and ease of use of insulin aspart.
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