title: Optimizing insulin initiation in primary care: the Diabetes CoStars patient support program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the optimization of fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus newly initiated on insulin glargine who were enrolled in the Australian Diabetes CoStars Patient Support Program (PSP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of data from 514 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who completed the 12-week Diabetes CoStars PSP was performed. All patients were initiated on insulin glargine in primary care and enrolled by their general practitioner, who selected a predefined titration plan and support from a local Credentialled Diabetes Educator. The data collected included initial and final insulin dose, self-reported FBG, and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The insulin dose increased in 81% of patients. Mean FBG was reduced from 208.8 mg/dL (11.6 mmol/L) to 136.8 mg/dL (7.6 mmol/L) after 12 weeks. Initial and final A1cvalues were available for 99 patients; mean A1cwas reduced from 9.5% (80 mmol/mol) to 8.1% (65 mmol/mol). The reductions in mean FBG and A1cwere similar irrespective of titration plan. Overall, 27.2% of patients achieved FBG levels within the titration plan target range of 72-108 mg/dL (4-6 mmol/L) and an additional 43.4% of patients achieved FBG within the range recommended by current Australian guidelines (110-144 mg/dL [6.1-8.0 mmol/L]). Overall, 23.3% of patients achieved the A1ctarget of ≤7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that the majority of patients enrolled in the Diabetes CoStars PSP achieved acceptable FBG levels 12 weeks after starting insulin therapy irrespective of titration plan.
authors: Kardinia Health, GP Super Clinic, Belmont, VIC.
authors: Olga K
authors: OK
authors: Lutzko
authors: Medicross Rothwell, Rothwell, QLD.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Schifferle
authors: Innerwest Specialist Centre, Burwood, NSW, Australia.
authors: Marita
authors: M
authors: Ariola
authors: Atlantis Healthcare Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Rich
authors: Sanofi Australia Pty Ltd, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia.
authors: Khen Meng
authors: KM
authors: Kon
keywords: fasting blood glucose; insulin glargine; titration; type 2 diabetes mellitus