Insulin treatment with preprandial injections of regular insulin in middle-aged type 2 diabetic patients. A two years observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe effectivity and safety variables in Type 2 diabetic patients on preprandial regular insulin therapy before each main meal (supplementary insulin therapy SIT) during an observational period.


METHODS
A group of 77 consecutive Type 2 diabetic patients in whom SIT was initiated at this department between January 1994 and March 1998 were subjected to a follow-up examination after a mean of two years during which time they were mainly cared for by their family physicians.


RESULTS
For 86 % patients (n =66) the continuation of SIT was documented; in 41 % of them (n =27) a bed time injection of NPH insulin was added in order to adequately control fasting glycaemia. HbA1c had fallen from 9.3 +/-1.8 to 7.4 +/-1.7 %; no episode of major hypoglycaemia occurred; there was no statistically significant increase in body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
This observational study describes favourable intermediate outcome parameters of effectivity and safety for prandial regular insulin therapy of Type 2 diabetic patients, such as lowering of HbA1c without occurrence of major hypoglycaemia and without weight gain. Controlled trials are needed to confirm the encouraging results from this pilot study.
Kalfhaus
J
J
Department of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany.
Berger
M
M
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin