Treatment efficacy of subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in type 1 diabetic patients

Abstract

Objective: Current goals of treatment of diabetes are to achieve near-normal glycemia, minimize the risk of severe hypoglycemia, limit excessive weight gain, and to improve quality of life. Insulin pump or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy provides a treatment option to aid in achieving all of these goals. CSII is a viable alternative to multiple daily injections (MDI) therapy for patients with diabetes who are capable and motivated. In this study, we aimed to compare the diabetic control and treatment satisfaction in our patients using CSII and MDI.Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with type 1 diabetes, who had been followed between 2005-2008, were enrolled in the study. Changes in biomedical outcomes (glycated haemoglobin; HbAlc), hypoglycaemia, and weigth gain pre-CSII, during the last year and at the end of the study were analyzed retrospectively. For treatment satisfaction and compliance, we used a questionnaire containing 12 questions. The patients were divided into two groups according to MDI or CSII therapy use for least one year: Group 1 using CSII In:27) and Group 2 using MDI In:23).Results: There was no significant difference between the last HbAlc levels in both groups. In CSII group, decrease in HbAlc was 0.79% for average follow-up of 1.66 years I 9.19% 2.23; 8.40% 1.17). When the two groups were compared in terms of hypoglycemia rates and weight gain over the last year, no statistically significant difference was found, but in CSII group, hypoglycemia rates were lower. Finally, CSII group demonstrated a higher treatment satisfaction rate and higher compliance, while a negative correlation was detected between frequency of home blood glucose monitoring and HbAl c levels in all patients.Conclusion: CSII therapy is effective in improving glycemic control with higher treatment satisfaction when compared with MDI therapy in selected type 1 diabetic patients.