Predictors of glycemic control after decline of insulin therapy by patients with type 2 diabetes

AimDecline of insulin therapy by patients is common but poorly investigated. We conducted this study to determine patient and treatment characteristics predictive of glycemic control after declining clinician recommendation to initiate insulin therapy.MethodsWe retrospectively studied adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated at two academic medical centers between 1993 and 2014 who declined their healthcare provider recommendation to initiate insulin.ResultsIn a multivariable analysis of 300 study patients adjusted for demographics, comorbidities and clustering within providers, higher baseline HbA1c (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.40 to 2.39; p < 0.001) and lifestyle changes (OR 8.39; 95% CI 3.26 to 21.55; p < 0.001) were associated with greater, while non-adherence to diabetes medications (OR 0.014; 95% CI 0.0025 to 0.085; p < 0.001) and discontinuation of a non-insulin diabetes medication (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.11 to 0.80; p = 0.016) were associated with lower probability of HbA1c decrease after declining insulin therapy.ConclusionWe identified patient characteristics and treatment strategies associated with success and failure of glycemic control after insulin therapy decline by the patient. This information can assist in selection of optimal therapeutic approaches for these individuals.