Switching to insulin glargine 300 units/mL in real-world older patients with type 2 diabetes (DELIVER 3)

To compare the second-generation basal insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300) and first-generation basal insulins on glycaemic control and hypoglycaemia risk in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

DELIVER 3 was a retrospective observational cohort study of electronic medical records. A total of 1176 older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) with T2D and ≥1 HbA1c value during 6 month baseline and 3 to 6 month follow-up who switched from basal insulin to Gla-300 were propensity score-matched to 1176 older adults who switched to a first-generation basal insulin [insulin detemir (IDet) or insulin glargine 100 units/mL (Gla-100)]. Outcomes were follow-up HbA1c, achievement of HbA1c <7% and <8%, hypoglycaemia incidence and event rates, and healthcare resource utilization.

Following basal insulin switching, HbA1c reductions were greater/similar with Gla-300 versus IDet/Gla-100 (variable follow-up: -0.45% ± 1.40% vs. -0.29% ± 1.57%; P = .021; fixed follow-up: -0.48% ± 1.49% vs. -0.38% ± 1.59%; P = .114), while HbA1c goal attainment was similar in both cohorts. Gla-300 was associated with less hypoglycaemia [event rate: adjusted rate ratio (aRR): 0.63, 95% CI: 0.53-0.75; P < .001] and inpatient/emergency department-associated hypoglycaemia (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37-0.90; P = .016; aRR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.31-0.60; P < .001) by variable follow-up. By fixed follow-up, hypoglycaemia results significantly or numerically favoured Gla-300.

Among older adults with T2D, switching to Gla-300 versus Gla-100/IDet was associated with greater/similar improvements in glycaemic control, and generally less hypoglycaemia.