Comparison of Basal-Bolus and Premixed Insulin Regimens

Clinicians sometimes prescribe twice-daily premixed 75/25 or 70/30 insulin, on the premise that some diabetic patients find two injections more acceptable than three or four injections daily. In this crossover study (funded by the maker of glargine [Lantus] and glulisine [Apidra] insulins), researchers compared basal-bolus and premixed regimens among 388 insulin-treated diabetic patients. Most participants (79%) had type 2 diabetes, mean age was 54, average diabetes duration was 16 years, mean baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) was 7.8%, and 60% of patients used basal-bolus regimens before entering the study.

Patients were randomized to receive either premixed insulin twice daily (Humalog Mix 75/25 or Novolog Mix 70/30) or basal-bolus …