Sanofi Aventis: New Real Life Studies Illustrate Greater A1C Lowering and Cost Benefit Observed With LANTUS(R) Over Detemir and NPH Insulin
Paris (ots/PRNewswire)
- The THIN, ROLE and LIVE-DE Studies Used Medical Databases or Medical Records to Compare the Benefits of Different Insulin Treatments in Thousands of People Living With Type 2 Diabetes
- Abstracts 1000, 1001 and 1004
Sanofi-aventis, a world leader in diabetes care, announced the results of three non-interventional studies presented at the 44th annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Rome, Italy (September 7 - 11, 2008), which demonstrated that treatment with LANTUS(R) (insulin glargine (rDNA origin) injection):
- showed greater A1C lowering than detemir and provided cost
savings (THIN Study)
- showed greater A1C lowering, resulted in a lower rate of
hypoglycemia, and reduced total healthcare cost compared to NPH (ROLE
Study)
- resulted in better patient satisfaction than NPH (LIVE-DE
Study)As a reflection of everyday clinical practice, studies like THIN, ROLE and LIVE-DE provide important comparative data on different treatment approaches in a real life setting.
"In recent years, as the number of people in the world living with diabetes has grown to epidemic proportions, the subsequent costs of diabetes care have also risen steadily," stated Alexandre Moreau, Vice President, Diabetes-Metabolism Franchise. "In addition to its continued investment in traditional clinical studies, sanofi-aventis is also committed to demonstrate LANTUS(R) benefits in real practice."
About the Study Results
All three studies assessed cost-effectiveness within U.S. and European healthcare systems, with two studies (ROLE, LIVE) comparing outcomes of LANTUS(R) with NPH, and one study (THIN) comparing treatment with LANTUS(R) to treatment with detemir. Following are key findings from the studies:
Health outcomes and treatment satisfaction in patients using LANTUS(R) versus NPH therapy:
- ROLE: Adjusted one-year average A1C was 8.05% for LANTUS(R)
versus 8.51% for NPH (Delta= -0.45, p=0.0036). Two-year average A1C
was 8.03% for LANTUS(R) versus 8.37% for NPH (Delta= -0.33, p=0.0099).
- LIVE-DE: Patients taking LANTUS(R) reported significantly
better physical well-being and higher treatment satisfaction compared
to NPH insulin (via SF-12, DTSQs and insulin treatment experience
questionnaire). Glucagon use for treatment of severe hypoglycemic
events was documented in 4 NPH insulin patients. There was no
documented glucagon use for severe hypoglycemic events in patients
treated with LANTUS(R).
Healthcare costs in patients using LANTUS(R) therapy:
- THIN: For LANTUS(R) and detemir, discounted cost per patient
was GBP6,536 and GBP6,556 respectively; quality adjusted life years
were 7.71 and 7.64 for LANTUS(R) and detemir respectively. This
resulted in a dominant (more effective and marginally cost saving)
discounted incremental cost effectiveness ratio in favour of LANTUS(R).
- ROLE: Adjusted one-year total healthcare costs for patients
who began treatment with LANTUS(R) were $16,184, versus $21,104
(quarterly difference= -$1,034, p=0.0372) for those who began treatment
with NPH. Two-year costs for the respective treatment groups were
$30,032 versus $42,208 (quarterly difference= -$1,522, p=0.0029).
- LIVE-DE: Mean total costs for direct diabetes care were
slightly lower in LANTUS(R) patients than in NPH insulin patients (658
EUR versus 685 EUR per patient during 6 months, p=0.001 by Wilcoxon
sum rank test). Despite higher drug costs for LANTUS(R), relevant
savings were observed in utilization of short-acting insulins (-62
EUR), test strips (-52 EUR), and needles (-6 EUR). LANTUS(R) patients
also had on average fewer basal insulin injections per day (1.09 versus
1.47) and required fewer blood glucose self-measurements. After
adjustment for relevant variables, total cost per patient for the 6
month treatment duration with LANTUS(R) was marginally higher than with
NPH (adjusted average: +73 EUR, p<0.001, ANCOVA).
Glycemic control between patients using Lantus(R) versus detemir therapy:
- THIN: Compared with detemir over a 12-month period, greater
A1C lowering was observed in patients taking LANTUS(R)
(difference=0.29%, p=0.021) in A1C. Mean insulin doses in units per kg
per day were 0.53 for LANTUS(R) and 0.56 for detemir. The superior
efficacy results shown with LANTUS(R) versus detemir in real life
setting are consistent with the findings from a recently published
randomized clinical trial; in this comparative study, more than half
of detemir patients required two injections per day and a much higher
dose of detemir was needed to achieve the same A1C reductions observed
in patients taking one injection per day of LANTUS(R).(i)
About the Study Designs
- THIN: the analysis was derived from the THIN UK primary care
database. 2554 insulin naïve type 2 diabetes patients (LANTUS(R) group:
2197; detemir group: 357) that initiated either LANTUS(R) or detemir
were included. The baseline HbA1c was respectively 9.5 and 9.7% in the
LANTUS(R) and in the detemir group. Efficacy was measured 12 months
after insulin introduction
- ROLE: the analysis was derived from a US managed care
database 2839 insulin naïve type 2 diabetes patients (LANTUS(R) group:
2105; NPH group: 734) that initiated either LANTUS(R) or NPH were
included. The baseline A1C was respectively 9.3 and 8.9% in the
LANTUS(R) and in the NPH group. Efficacy was measured 12 and 24 months
after insulin introduction
- LIVE-DE: it was a non-interventional, cross-sectional,
retrospective study performed in 199 randomly selected centers of
primary care physicians in Germany. The study enrolled 1602 consecutive
type 2 diabetes patients with statutory health insurance status who
were eligible for documentation when either treated with insulin
LANTUS(R) or NPH insulin based regimens for at least 6 months prior of
documentation.Additional details about the THIN, ROLE and LIVE-DE data are included in the study abstracts, available at EASD.org.
About LANTUS(R) (insulin glargine (rDNA origin))
LANTUS(R) is indicated for once-daily subcutaneous administration in the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia and for adult and pediatric patients (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes mellitus. LANTUS(R) demonstrates a peakless and sustained concentration/time profile over 24 hours thus reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and allowing a constant and high efficacy over 24h with one single daily injection. LANTUS(R) is the number one prescribed insulin worldwide.
About APIDRA(R) (insulin glulisine (rDNA origin))
APIDRA(R) is a rapid-acting insulin analog with a unique zinc-free molecular structure that maintains a rapid onset and a short duration of action, indicated for adults and for adolescents and children (6 years and older) with diabetes in the EU. APIDRA(R) offers patients mealtime dosing flexibility-it can be taken shortly (0-15 min) before or soon after the meal. APIDRA(R) is also flexible for use in a wide range of patients from lean to obese. APIDRA(R) is the logical partner to LANTUS(R) once prandial insulin is required.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic, progressive widespread disease in which the body reduces or does not produce or properly use insulin - the hormone needed to convert glucose (sugar) into energy. In 2008 over 250 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. This number would dramatically increase up to 380 million by 2025. It is estimated more than 24 million Americans have diabetes. At the same time, more than 40% of those diagnosed are not achieving the general blood sugar control standard of A1C <7% recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ADA/EASD). The A1C test reflects average blood glucose levels over a two- to three-month period. Without proper insulin production and action, glucose remains in the blood, leading to chronic hyperglycaemia (raised blood sugar). This can result in short and long-term complications, many of which, if not prevented and left untreated, can be fatal. All have the potential to reduce the quality of life of people with diabetes and their families.
The most common long-term complications are:
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), which may result in
total kidney failure and in the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.
- Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy and macular oedema),
damage to the retina of the eye which can lead to vision loss.
- Diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), which can ultimately
lead to ulceration and amputation of the feet and lower limbs.
- Cardiovascular disease, which affects the heart and blood
vessels and may cause fatal complications such as coronary heart
disease (leading to a heart attack) and stroke.Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease globally. Every year, 3.8 million people die from diabetes-related causes.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).
Forward Looking Statements
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(i) Rosenstock J et al. A randomised, 52-week, treat-to-target trial comparing insulin detemir with insulin glargine when administered as add-on to glucose-lowering drugs in insulin-naive people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2008 March; 51(3): 408-416.
Contact:
Global Media Contact: Anna Radjanova, MD, Tel: +33-6-07-28-61-63,
E-mail: anna.radjanova@sanofi-aventis.com