A survey of physician experience and treatment satisfaction using fast-acting insulin aspart in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes

ABSTRACT

Aims

This survey aimed to explore real-world physician experiences and treatment satisfaction with fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) in clinical practice across Europe and Canada.

Materials and methods

An online web-based survey was used for physicians treating people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. General practitioners and specialists, with experience using faster aspart, were interviewed.

Results

A total of 191 physicians participated in the survey. Most of their patients (68% of those with T1D and 63% of those with T2D) were previously treated with another mealtime insulin before switching to faster aspart. At the time of initiating faster aspart, nearly half of patients had an HbA_1c level between 7.5% (59 mmol/mol) and 8.5% (69 mmol/mol). The main prescription drivers for faster aspart, versus other mealtime insulins, were faster onset of action, improved postprandial glucose (PPG) control, and dosing flexibility. Most physicians were more satisfied with faster aspart than other mealtime insulins regarding at-meal (66%) and post-meal (71%) dosing flexibility, improved PPG levels (66%), and onset of action (61%). Main reasons for not prescribing faster aspart included a good response to current treatment (76%) or patient reluctance to switch (57%). Overall, 12% of patients discontinued faster aspart, for reasons including concerns of hypoglycemia (17%), poor adherence (17%), and level of patient co-pay (17%). More than half of physicians had fewer concerns regarding postprandial hyperglycemia, and were more confident in their patients reaching their HbA_1c target with faster aspart than with other mealtime insulins.

Limitations

The findings of this survey are based heavily on physicians’ experiences, and could therefore be subject to recall bias.

Conclusions

Reported physician and patient experiences of using faster aspart have been positive, and better PPG control and increased dosing flexibility are expected to improve glycemic management.

KEYWORDS:

• Fast-acting insulin aspart
• faster aspart
• real-world
• diabetes
• survey

Author’s contribution

AB was involved in study conception and design, co-formulation of the research questionnaire, analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version to be published; SA was involved in co-formulation of the research questionnaire, analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version to be published; ME was involved in study conception and design, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version to be published, and agrees to be accountable for all aspects of this work; RM was involved in critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version to be published; JDDRF was involved in study conception and design, interpretation of data, critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, and approval of the final version to be published, and agrees to be accountable for all aspects of this work.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the people who participated in this study, to Monika Russel-Szymczyk and Lise Højbjerre, Novo Nordisk, for review of and input to the manuscript, and to Jane Blackburn and Catherine Jones of Watermeadow Medical, an Ashfield company, part of UDG Healthcare plc (funded by Novo Nordisk A/S), for medical writing and editing assistance.

Declaration of interest

AB and SA are employees of IQVIA, which supported Novo Nordisk in this research. ME is an employee of Novo Nordisk and a minor stockholder in NN. RM was an employee of Novo Nordisk at the time this manuscript was prepared. JDDRF is an employee and shareholder of Novo Nordisk.

Reviewers disclosure

A reviewer on this manuscript has disclosed that they are a speaker for Novo Nordisk. The other Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, JDDRF, upon reasonable request.

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

Novo Nordisk A/S provided funding support for the development of this manuscript.