Target-optimised glycaemic management is important to minimise the risk of complications in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impacting quality of life and healthcare expenditure. This work evaluates the current situation in Europe with regard to numbers treated with insulin, the proportion not achieving glycaemic target and therefore in need to advance insulin therapy.
We quantified the burden of insulin treated T2DM populations not at target for France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and UK based on the available evidence, both from an epidemiological and economic perspective.
In the six European countries, more than 64% of people with T2DM on insulin therapy have a HbA1c above the target of 7%. Studies report that up to 77% of persons with T2DM treated with basal insulin/basal insulin supported oral therapy (BOT) are above this target. Evidence on individuals on multiple daily injections (MDI, ≥2 injections per day) is more fragmented, although existing studies report similar or worse glycaemic control compared to those on BOT. We estimate that at least 2 million persons with T2DM on insulin therapy, both BOT and MDI, are above target, with an estimated economic impact of more than €28 billion per year in Europe.
When considering insulin therapy in the population with T2DM in Europe, approximately two-thirds do not achieve appropriate glycaemic control, increasing the risk of diabetes complications and related costs. Improving insulin therapy by various technological advancements may be a reasonable approach to decrease the epidemiological and economic burden of insulin treated individuals with T2DM.