title: [Clinical value of C-peptide determination].
abstract: The classification of newly diagnosed diabetic patients as type I (insulin-dependent) or type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes and the implied therapeutical consequences there of are based on clinical observations and laboratory tests. In case differential diagnosis is difficult, the measurement of the c-peptide secretion to assess beta-cell capacity can be helpful. For adequate control especially after long-standing diabetes in obese patients it is important to identify patients with potential secondary drug failure. Poor compliance with diet is thought to be a major reason for poor response to treatment. On the other hand, diabetics with poor control because of deterioration of beta-cell function must be distinguished. In these situations the measurement of c-peptide concentrations may contribute to identify the need for insulin treatment. As a result the development of diabetic complications can be retarded and beta-cell function can be preserved by adequate insulin therapy, whereas the consequences of hyperinsulinaemia in insulin treated patients not needing insulin can be avoided. In our opinion the c-peptide/glucose-quotient serves as simple, cost-effective and non-invasive method in the assessment of beta-cell capacity. Insulin therapy is indispensable in the case of inadequate insulin secretion.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Endokrinologie, Diabetologie und klin, Ernährung, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital Basel.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ladewig
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin