Feasibility of Simplification From a Basal-Bolus Insulin Regimen to a Fixed-Ratio Formulation of Basal Insulin Plus a GLP-1RA or to Basal Insulin Plus an SGLT2 Inhibitor: BEYOND, a Randomized, Pragmatic Trial

Diabetes Care. 2021 Jun;44(6):1353-1360. doi: 10.2337/dc20-2623. Epub 2021 Apr 21.

Abstract

Objective: BEYOND trial evaluated the feasibility of either basal insulin plus glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) or basal insulin plus sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) to replace a full basal-bolus insulin (BBI) regimen in participants with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control.

Research design and methods: Participants were randomized (1:1:1) to: 1) intensification of the BBI regimen (n = 101), 2) fixed ratio of basal insulin plus GLP-1RA (fixed-combo group; n = 102), and 3) combination of basal insulin plus SGLT2i (gliflo-combo group; n = 102). The primary efficacy outcome was change from baseline in HbA1c at 6 months.

Results: Baseline characteristics were similar among the three groups (mean HbA1c was 8.6% [70 mmol/mol]). At 6 months, patients experienced similar reduction in HbA1c level (-0.6 ± 0.8, -0.6 ± 0.8, and -0.7 ± 0.9%, mean ± SD, respectively; noninferiority P < 0.001 vs. BBI), and the proportion of patients with HbA1c ≤7.5% was also similar (34%, 28%, and 27%, respectively; P = 0.489). Total insulin dose increased in the BBI group (62 units/day) and decreased both in the fixed-combo and gliflo-combo groups (27 units/day and 21 units/day, respectively; P < 0.01). The proportion of patients with hypoglycemia was 17.8%, 7.8%, and 5.9%, respectively (P = 0.015). There were 12 dropouts in the fixed-combo group, 9 in the gliflo-combo group, and none in the BBI group.

Conclusions: BEYOND provides evidence that it is possible and safe to switch from a BBI regimen to either a once-daily fixed-combo injection or once-daily gliflozin added to basal insulin, with similar glucose control, fewer insulin doses, fewer injections daily, and less hypoglycemia.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04196231.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04196231
  • figshare/10.2337/figshare.14140991