The Benefits of Safely Achieving Near Normoglycemia from the Perspective of People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Quantitative Survey Study

Abstract

Purpose To understand the perspectives of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on safely reaching near normoglycemia, defined as a glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value of <6%. HbA1c indicates the average blood sugar level over the past few months. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional online quantitative survey of people with T2D asked about the current impacts of T2D, the anticipated benefits of safely achieving near normoglycemia among participants with a current HbA1c ≥6%, or the actual benefits of safely achieving near normoglycemia among participants who had an HbA1c <6%. Participants reported on specific areas of psychological/emotional impact of T2D and the psychological/emotional benefits of achieving near normoglycemia. Results Participants (N = 1000; United States = 500 and United Kingdom = 500) were 53.1% male and had a mean age of 62.9 years (SD = 13.3). The majority reported that the current HbA1c ≥6% (81.2%) and 49.2% had been diagnosed more than 10 years ago. The vast majority of participants (>90%) indicated that achieving near normoglycemia was meaningful, with 95% of the participants indicating that achieving near normoglycemia would be of somewhat or extreme importance to them. In total, 93.8% of participants with a current HbA1c ≥6% and 80.3% of those with a current HbA1c <6% anticipated/reported having experienced improvements as a result of achieving near normoglycemia. Among those who experienced or anticipated positive psychological/emotional impacts (n = 247), the most commonly reported impacts included less worry about future diabetes-related complications (79.8%), feeling in control over one’s life (72.9%), and overall health-related quality of life (59.9%). Conclusion Achieving near normoglycemia is both meaningful and important to the majority of people with T2D, including both those who have and those who have not experienced reaching near normoglycemia. A wide range of specific impacts, including psychological/emotional concepts, are experienced by people with T2D, many of which may be improved through achieving near normoglycemia.

The Impact of Substantial Improvements in HbA1c and Weight Loss on the Medication Preferences of People with Type 2 Diabetes

“…This result is not surprising given past research has demonstrated people with T2D in the US and UK place a great deal of importance on reaching near normoglycemia and associate this with a range of positive impacts. 18 , 19 Weight reduction also influenced preferences; however, this attribute was secondary to HbA1c reduction in both countries (US RAI: 18.3%; UK RAI: 17.3%). The RAI for delivery system was higher in the US (RAI: 20.9%) than in the UK (RAI: 9.2%), with patients in both countries preferring the single-use, pre-filled pen over the multi-use, dial-a-dose pen.…”

“…Prior research has demonstrated that improvements in HbA1c, and specifically reaching near normoglycemia, is both meaningful and important to people with T2D in the US and UK. 18,19 This study demonstrates that the properties of tirzepatide, a novel, weekly, GIP/GLP-1 RA for T2D are valuable to people with T2D living in the US and UK. The tirzepatide efficacy and safety profiles differ from those of other T2D treatments that are currently available.…”

“…17 Prior research has demonstrated that achieving near normoglycemia (defined as HbA1c levels near 5.7%) is considered by the majority of people with T2D to be a paradigm shift and viewed as both meaningful and important. 18,19 Thus, the new GIP/GLP-1 RA could provide meaningful benefits for people with T2D, given both the potential for significant reductions in HbA1c and weight loss, and also the association between T2D, obesity and negative health outcomes. However, it is unknown how people with T2D value the substantial reductions in HbA1c and weight loss.…”