Primary Objective:

To investigate the impact of insulin glargine versus Neutral Protamine Hagedorn basal insulin on a composite diabetes related quality of life score (DRQoL).

Secondary Objective:

A comparison of combination therapy with insulin glargine versus Neutral Protamine Hagedorn basal insulin from baseline to endpoint in terms of:

• Glycaemic parameters: 7 blood glucose profiles
• Incidence of confirmed symptomatic hypoglycemia as well as confirmed severe hypoglycemia
• Change in lipid status

Inclusion criteria:

• Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (no history of ketoacidosis) according to ADA criteria.
• Treatment with a combination of maximum 2 substance classes on a stable dosage during the last 3 months: metformin and/or sulfonylurea.
• No pre-treatment with any insulin in the last 3 months before the study.
• Glycated Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value between > or = 7.0 and > or = 9.5%
• Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) > or = 120 mg/dl (6.7 mmol/l).
• Body mass index < 40 kg/m.
• Ability to read and understand German language.
• Ability and willingness to follow a tight antidiabetic therapy and to perform blood glucose self monitoring on a regular basis.
• Women of childbearing potential who will take adequate contraceptive protection.

Exclusion criteria:

• Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• Any history of ketoacidosis.
• Pregnancy.
• Prior treatment with insulin.
• Treatment with more than two oral agents within the last 3 months or continuous treatment with thiazolidinediones, GLP-1 receptor agonists or with Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors.
• History of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Diabetic retinopathy with surgical treatment (laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy) in the last 3 months prior to study entry or which may require surgical treatment within 3 months of study entry.
• Following pancreatectomy.
• Impaired hepatic function.
• Impaired renal function.
• Mental condition rendering the patient unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study.
• Evidence of an uncooperative attitude, including poor compliance to any (antidiabetic) treatment.
• Inability to attend follow-up visits.
• Current treatment because of a mental disorder according to ICD 10(F 5 Diagnoses).
• Patients that are in a relationship of dependance with the investigator(s) and/or the sponsor.
• Systemic corticoids > 7,5 mg prednisolon equivalent or \