Improved treatment satisfaction with once-weekly insulin icodec compared with once-daily basal insulin in individuals with type 2 diabetes: An analysis of patient-reported outcomes and participant interviews from ONWARDS 2 and 5 and a physician survey from ONWARDS 1

Authors: William Polonsky, Malik Benamar, Lisbeth Carstensen, Melanie Davies, Anders Meller Donatsky, Edward Franek, Monika Kellerer, Athena Philis-Tsimikas, Ronald Goldenberg

Abstract

Aims: The ONWARDS phase 3a clinical trials evaluated once-weekly insulin icodec (icodec) versus once-daily basal insulin in type 2 diabetes. This analysis investigated the treatment-related experiences of participants from ONWARDS 5 and 2, and physicians from ONWARDS 1.

Methods: Patient-reported outcomes were only collected during ONWARDS 5 (icodec with a dosing guide app vs. once-daily basal analogues) and 2 (icodec vs. once-daily insulin degludec). ONWARDS 1 (icodec vs. once-daily insulin glargine U100) physicians’ treatment preferences and satisfaction were obtained via an online survey.

Results: In ONWARDS 5 and 2, there was a statistically significantly greater increase in total treatment satisfaction from baseline to end of treatment for icodec/icodec with app versus once-daily comparators, mostly driven by participants’ willingness to continue and recommend treatment. In ONWARDS 2, 93.7 % of icodec users preferred once-weekly over once-daily basal insulin, mainly owing to less frequent injections and ease of use. ONWARDS 1 physicians reported greater satisfaction with once-weekly than with once-daily basal insulin and were more likely to recommend once-weekly injections.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate improved treatment satisfaction with, and strong preferences for, once-weekly versus once-daily basal insulin. Treatment convenience and willingness to continue and recommend once-weekly basal insulin treatment were highlighted.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39368488/

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BDI Monthly Events

June 5 - 8: It will be a busy time at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (New Orleans, LA), with new projects to be developed, old friends to see, and much to learn. Dr. Polonsky, BDI President, will serve a co-author on four poster presentations

May 13: BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.

August 14 - 16. Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) will be hosting the in-person ONE event, an amazing weekend experience here in San Diego for more than 500 people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. Dr. Polonsky is honored to be one of the presenters, and we will hope to see many of you there. There are still a few spaces left, so if you’d like to know more, please visit

On October 24, BDI will host a live, one-day, CME workshop: Engaging the Disengaged: Innovative Strategies for Promoting Behavior Change in Diabetes. Run by Dr. Polonsky (BDI President) and Dr. Guzman (BDI Clinic Director), Participants will deepen their skills in recognizing and addressing common barriers to effective self-care and cardiometabolic medication initiation and maintenance, while fostering respectful, stigma-free clinical encounters.