A chieving Glycaemic Targets in Type 2 Diabetes: the Role of the Basal Insulin Analogue Insulin Glargine ?i r;; and How to Use it in Clinical Practice: Moving from Evidence to Practice

This review examines the role of the basal insulin analogue, insulin glargine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, focusing onhow research evidence can inform its use in clinical practice. the importance of achieving optimal glycaemic control has beenemphasised by bodies such as the idf who have set strict targets for hbalc levels. we know that fpg plays an important role in helping toachieve optimal glycaemic control and basal insulin therapy can playa role in this area.insulin glargine is a once-daily, peakless basal insulin which has been shown to achieve the same degree of glycaemic control as nph insulinbut with significantly reduced rates of hypoglycaemia. this allows patients to improve self management of their diabetes by optimisingtreatment without the risk of hypoglycaemia. research has shown that patients can safely optimise therapy with a patient-led titration algorithmbased on an insulin dose adjustment of 2 units every 3 days. initiation of insulin glargine has been shown to be effective within a group aswell as individually, allowing health care professionals to manage their time more effectively between the growing numbers of people requiring insulin therapy.conclusions: this basal insulin analogue is a welcome addition to the plethora of treatments available to treat type 2 diabetes and efficacydata can now be converted into practical methods of optimising insulin therapy for the type of patients healthcare professionals routinely encounter in their practice.