[Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2: lower HbA1c-values and a high level of patient satisfaction].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the HbA1c-values and the degree of satisfaction of patients who had switched from multiple subcutaneous insulin injections to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
Data were collected and evaluated from all patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who started treatment with CSII in the period from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001 in the Rijnmond-Zuid Medical Centre, Zuider site, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The data included the insulin dosage and HbA1c-percentages before and three months after the start of CSII, and the degree of satisfaction of the patients on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (good).


RESULTS
Of the 57 patients who started CSII, two resumed multiple daily subcutaneous injections within a few months. Of the other 55 patients, 36 (including 15 men) had type-1 diabetes, with an average age of 36.1 years, and 19 (including 8 men) had type-2 diabetes, with an average age of 49.7 years. Poor regulation of the blood glucose levels was the main reason (n = 40; 73%) for switching to CSII. In the 36 patients with type-1 diabetes, there was no significant change in the total dose of insulin before and during CSII, while the mean HbA1c-level decreased from 8.2 (SD: 1.2) to 7.3% (SD: 1.0; p = 0.0005). In the 19 patients with type-2 diabetes, there was also no significant change in insulin dosage, while the HbA1c-level decreased from 8.1 (SD: 1.0) to 7.6% (SD: 1.1; p = 0.056). All 47 interviewed patients were satisfied with the treatment. The mean score was 8.3 in type-1 diabetes mellitus and 8.1 in type-2 diabetes mellitus.


CONCLUSIONS
Following three months on CSII, the average HbA1c-percentages were lower than during the previous treatment with multiple subcutaneous insulin injections. The patients were satisfied with the convenience of the treatment.
Medisch Centrum Rijnmond-Zuid, locatie Zuider, vakgroep Interne Geneeskunde, Groene Hilledijk 315, 3075 EA Rotterdam.
J M
JM
de Borst
A
A
Berghout
D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin