Radiocast: Consumer Guide Compares Type 2 Diabetes Treatments

Debra: This is Healthcare 411: Information for better health. If you or someone you know has type 2 diabetes, it’s important to find a treatment that works to control the symptoms. A new guide from AHRQ offers plain-language comparisons of the effectiveness of pre-mixed insulin and other treatments for adults with type 2 diabetes. AHRQ researcher Dr. Barbara Bartman explains:

Dr. Bartman: The guide helps consumers better understand the difference between insulin that lasts all through the day, insulin for meal time, and the newer pre-mixed insulin analogues that work throughout the day and also at meal time when blood sugar levels can rise suddenly. The guide not only describes how effective these medicines are, but also explains their potential side-effects. We want consumers to have access and understand this information, so they can work with their clinician to decide which treatment option is best for them.

Debra: View the guide online at effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. Healthcare 411 is produced by AHRQ, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Debra James for Healthcare 411.