OBJECTIVES: Little is known about routine use of basal insulins (Glargine, Detemir, NPH) in primary care patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim was to compare injection frequencies of basal insulins in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in primary care practices, both for basal-supported oral (BOT) and basal-bolus (ICT) treatment regimens. METHODS: Primary care data from 4,503 Glargine (BOT/ICT: 2,247/1,964), 1,373 Detemir (490/800), and 4,072 NPH-insulin (1,331/2,425) users were retrospectively analysed (05/2009-04/2012). The Disease Analyzer database (IMS HEALTH) assembles drug prescriptions, diagnoses, basic medical and demographic data obtained from the practice computer system of general practitioners and specialists throughout Germany.  The Charlson Comorbidity Index was used as generic marker of comorbidity. Logistic regression (>1 daily injection) and propensitiy scores were used to adjust for various confounders (age, sex, type of physician, dosage, BMI, HbA1c).  RESULTS: Overall, more than one daily injections were observed in 7.5% of Glargine users (BOT: 6.2%, ICT: 9.0%), which was lower than for Detemir (overall: 25.4%; BOT: 22.0%, ICT: 27.4%) and NPH-insulin (25.4%; BOT: 23.9%, ICT: 27.2%) (all p<0.001). The adjusted odds of having more than one injection was lower for Glargine compared to Detemir (OR; 95% CI: 0.26; 0.22-0.32) and NPH-insulin (0.20; 0.17-0.23). Similar results were found for BOT (Glargine vs. Detemir: 0.23; 0.17-0.32; Glargine vs. NPH-insulin: 0.16; 0.13-0.21) and for ICT (Glargine vs. Detemir: 0.27; 0.21-0.35; Glargine vs. NPH-insulin: 0.22; 0.18-0.27). Finally, after matching the groups for the propensity score, the odds for more than one daily injection was also significantly reduced in the Glargine group both compared to Detemir (OR; 95%CI: 0.30; 0.24-0.37) and NPH insulin (0.25; 0.22-0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Glargine is associated with significant lower injection frequencies than other basal insulins. These findings might impact treatment satisfaction and as a consequence quality of life, persistence and economic aspects of diabetes treatment.