Improving glycaemic control in African diabetic patients on insulin: a resource-free approach.
In the resource-poor areas of the tropics, diabetic patients requiring insulin are often treated with once-daily injections of intermediate-acting insulin. Glycaemic control on this regime is usually poor. We trialled a simple change to twice-daily insulin (same total daily dose, two-thirds given in morning, and one-third in evening) in a group of 20 Ethiopian diabetic patients treated in this way. Nurse support and contact, and self-glucose monitoring were not available. After three months, the haemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) had improved from 10.5 +/- 1.8 to 8.0 +/- 1.5% (P < 0.001). No improvement occurred in the 20 control patients who remained on once-daily insulin. Among the twice-daily insulin group there was a small increase in weight and mild hypoglycaemic episodes. However, all patients were very satisfied and wished to continue the new system. We conclude that a simple change from once- to twice-daily insulin, without monitoring or support, can lead to a significant improvement in the overall glycaemic control, and is suitable for resource-limited tropical countries.
Gill
Geoffrey V
GV
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK. g.gill@liv.ac.uk
Gebrekidan
Atakilt
A
English
Patrick J
PJ
Tesfaye
Solomon
S
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin