Researchers recently reported that patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with insulin glargine were at much lower risk for hypoglycemia than those who received NPH insulin. The risk was reduced 24 percent, according to the announcement at a recent meeting of the American Association for Clinical Endocrinologists. These patients also had significantly fewer hypoglycemic symptoms during the night.

The study involved 100 patients with type 2 diabetes who had previously received once-daily NPH insulin. Insulin glargine is a once-daily form of insulin that is steadily absorbed over time, without the peaks in release that are associated with NPH insulin.

The researchers noted that their findings are important, since fear of hypoglycemia can delay the start of insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes, leaving patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels and thereby increasing their risks for long-term complications.

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Source:  Tulane Health Sciences Center. Fonseca V, et al. Report to AACE, May 6, 2002.