Insulin Degludec vs Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control in Critical Illness Hyperglycemia.

AIM AND BACKGROUND

Hyperglycemia is a serious condition and associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality in both critically ill and non-critically ill people. Improvement in the glycemic level reduces the length of hospital stay, systemic infections and short- and long-term mortality. The aim was to test the effectiveness of insulin degludec vs insulin glargine and regular insulin in controlling blood sugar in patients with critical hyperglycemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using random control trial, the patients were randomly divided into three equal groups-group R, group G and group D. Each group included 30 patients. Group G was managed using regular insulin together with an insulin glargine. Group D was managed using regular insulin together with an insulin degludec. However, group R was managed using only regular insulin.

RESULTS

The incidence of hypoglycemia was statistically more significant in the group of regular insulin than in groups G and group D with a -value 0.0069. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups regarding the frequency of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

Ultra-long-acting insulin can effectively control random blood sugar (RBS) with a decrease in the total dose of insulin used. It is recommended that using insulin degludec is a safe and effective alternative to regular insulin for glycemic control in critically ill patients.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

El Sherif IM, Haggag AM, Abbas MH, Kamel WY. Insulin Degludec vs Insulin Glargine for Glycemic Control in Critical Illness Hyperglycemia. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(1):52-58.