title: Insulin pump therapy in adults.
abstract: Restoration of the physiological insulin secretion is a current medical challenge and a dream for patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Continuous insulin therapy using pumps was the first step to the development of artificial pancreas. The aim of diabetes treatment is to achieve strict glycemic control in order to avoid the development of long-term diabetic complications while reducing the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using an external pump, offers both a better blood glucose stability as compared to multiple daily injections and a broader flexibility in life mode, and reduces the frequency of severe hypoglycemia. The advantages of the insulin pump (consistency of basal delivery, adjustable basal rates, and low insulin depots allowing the reduction of glycemic variability) have contributed to its reported superiority compared with multiple daily injections (MDI). However, experience with CSII indicates that candidates for insulin pump therapy must be carefully selected and strongly motivated to improve their glucose control. Finally, the use of CSII in patients with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 now appears to be a good alternative to the ineffective MDI regimens observed in some of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Division, 1st Propeudetic Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. didang@med.auth.gr
authors.forename: Triantafillos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Didangelos
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iliadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007332:Insulin Infusion Systems
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin