THE OPT2MISE STUDY CHANGED MY LIFE

The Medtronic-sponsored OpT2mise study was the largest randomized, controlled trial (331 patients) on insulin pump therapy for type 2 diabetes. The results of the study was published in The Lancet in 2014. Two South African practices participated in the study. We made contact with Termaré Pugh, a Type 2 patient from Port Elizabeth who was selected to participate in the study.

Before she joined the study, Termaré felt frustrated with her uncontrolled blood glucose levels.  She was already injecting about four times per day and the struggle of constant and unpredictable high and low blood sugar levels were part of her everyday life.  Her HbA1c was over 10 notwithstanding her best efforts. 

Six month into the study, she was switched from multiple daily injections to insulin pump therapy.  This was the first time she had heard about pump therapy.She received training on carbohydrate counting and insulin pump therapy.  

According to Termaré, the impact of pump therapy was almost immediate.’Termaré's HbA1c started dropping from above 10% to 8% later to 7% and her current HbA1c is 6.4% (4 years after her initiation into the study).

“I actually have a life again and my quality of life is fantastic! My pump is part of who I am and I cannot imagine a day without it.” 

Termaré enjoys belly dancing in her spare time.