Metabolic control is not altered when using indwelling catheters for insulin injections.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if the use of indwelling catheters for insulin injections affects the long- and short-term metabolic control of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).


METHODS
Sixteen children and adolescents 9-20 years of age were included in a randomized 10-week crossover study using indwelling catheters (Insuflon, Pharma-Plast, Lynge, Denmark; CHRONIMED, Minnetonka, Minnesota) for insulin injections. Their diabetes duration was 7.5 +/- 3.3 years (range 2-14), and they used multiple injection therapy with 4-5 doses/day. C-peptide was < or = 0.15 nM fasting and < or = 0.30 nM postprandial.


RESULTS
We found no significant difference between those with and without Insuflon in degree of metabolic control reflected by HbA1c (with Insuflon, 7.3 +/- 2.6%; without, 7.1 +/- 2.2%), 24-h profiles of blood glucose and free insulin, 24-h samples of glucosuria, or ketonuria. Weight, insulin doses per kilogram per 24 h, and insulin antibodies were all the same in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The long- and short-term metabolic control of IDDM was not altered by the use of indwelling catheters for insulin injections. Insuflon can be offered as an alternative to patients with IDDM who find regular injections uncomfortable.
Hanas
S R
SR
Department of Pediatrics, Uddevalla Hospital, Sweden.
Ludvigsson
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D007330:Insulin Antibodies