Improved Treatment Satisfaction and Self-reported Health Status after Introduction of Basal-Supported Oral Therapy Using Insulin Glargine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Sub-Analysis of ALOHA2 Study

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to assess treatment satisfaction and self-reported health status in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who started insulin glargine basal-supported oral therapy (BOT) with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value of ≥6.5%, using data from Add-on Lantus(®) to Oral Hypoglycemic Agents 2 (ALOHA2) study, a 24-week single-arm, observational study of Japanese patients with T2DM, conducted as drug use surveillance in Japan. METHODS Treatment satisfaction was measured using the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status version (DTSQs) and change version (DTSQc) and self-reported health status using EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D). The results were compared between the groups stratified by HbA1c level at the final evaluation point: target-achieved (<7.0%) and target-not-achieved groups (≥7.0%). RESULTS In 1251 patients (336 in the target-achieved group), scores of DTSQs, DTSQc, and EQ-5D indicated significant improvement from baseline to the final evaluation point (both P < 0.01). The mean change in DTSQs scale score, DTSQs item score, and EQ-5D index score, and mean DTSQc scale score were significantly improved in the target-achieved group compared with the target-not-achieved group (P < 0.05 for all). DTSQs scale score and HbA1c level showed the same pattern of chronological change. Data analysis in patients stratified by DTSQs score showed better glycemic control in the high satisfaction group. CONCLUSION Following insulin glargine BOT introduction, treatment satisfaction and health status were improved from patients' perspectives despite the need for daily injections. Based on the possible association between HbA1c 7.0% level achievement, treatment satisfaction, and health status, better glycemic control may be a key to successful treatment.