Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of exercise on plasma glucose excursions when using each of three basal insulins in people with Type 1 diabetes.
Research design and methods: This was a multinational, open-label, randomized, three-period, crossover clinical trial. People with Type 1 diabetes [n = 51, age 39 +/- 10 (+/- sd) years, 67% men] managed with mealtime plus basal insulin regimens, were exercised for 30 min, 5 h after the last mealtime and basal insulin injection when using insulin detemir, insulin glargine or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin.
Results: There were no significant differences in the plasma glucose excursions during or for 150 min after exercise. During 30 min exercise, five (11%) participants on insulin detemir developed minor hypoglycaemia, six (12%) for NPH and 18 (38%) for glargine. From the end of exercise to 150 min, five (11%) on insulin detemir developed minor hypoglycaemia, seven (14%) for NPH and nine (19%) for glargine. In total, from start of exercise to 150 min after exercise, 10 (21%) participants on insulin detemir experienced minor hypoglycaemia as compared with 13 (27%) for NPH and 27 (57%) for glargine (P < 0.001 glargine vs. detemir and NPH). Maximum plasma cortisol levels were lower on detemir and NPH than glargine.
Conclusions: Insulin detemir was associated with less hypoglycaemia than insulin glargine but not NPH insulin in relatively well-controlled people with Type 1 diabetes during and after exercise.