Effects of insulin glargine U300 versus insulin degludec U100 on glycemic variability, hypoglycemia, and diet evaluated by continuous glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes: a retrospective cross-sectional study

The impacts of insulin degludec U100 (Deg-100) and insulin glargine U300 (Gla-300) on glycemic variability (GV) in patients with type 1 diabetes, as well as the impact of major nutrient components on GV in these patients, remain unclear. This was an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study. Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients treated with either Deg-100 or Gla-300 as basal insulin were enrolled. After the participants underwent continuous glucose monitoring, GV indices and major nutrient components were analyzed. Forty patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled, and 20 participants used Deg-100, and 20 used Gla-300. There was no significant difference in major nutrient components between the two groups. Better GV indices of standard deviation, coefficient of variation, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion, AUC_n, M-value, CONGA1, CONGA2, and CONGA4 were noted in the Gla-300 group versus Deg-100 group. Compared with patients who received once-daily injection in the morning (QD), Deg-100 administration once daily at bedtime (HS) yielded a higher low blood glucose index during both day and nocturnal periods, indicating a higher risk of hypoglycemic events. By contrast, there were significantly lower levels of CONGA1, CONGA2, and CONGA4 during insulin Gla-300 QD administration than during HS administration, indicating a lower GV of a short interval. In this real-world study involving type 1 diabetes patients, Gla-300 appears to offer more stable glucose variability than Deg-100. Administering once-daily injections could lower the risk of hypoglycemia in the Deg-100 group and minimize GV in the Gla-300 group compared to bedtime injections.