The influence of different insulin regimens on quality of life and metabolic control in insulin-dependent diabetics
Author
Summary, in English
Administration of insulin with premeal boluses of short-acting insulin using a new injection device (Novopen) was compared with a conventional three times daily injection regimen regarding aspects of quality of life and metabolic control in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Eighteen C-peptide-negative patients with IDDM (16 men, two women, aged 31.0 ± 7.4 years, duration of diabetes 13.0 ± 4.6 years; mean ± SD) participated in the study. All patients had been treated with three daily insulin injections for at least 1 year prior to the study. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A started a 3-month treatment period with premeal injections of short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin at bedtime. This period was followed by another 3 months using the initial three times daily injection regimen. Group B completed the study in the reverse order. Quality of life was assessed by using questionaires and personal interviews by the same clinical psychologist. Metabolic control was assessed by measuring the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.
The results show that both treatment groups experienced a general improvement in mood and well-being during the period with multiple insulin injection treatment. Furthermore, during the periods of insulin pen treatment, an increased experience of freedom and less dependence on fixed meal times were noted. Overall metabolic control, insulin dosage, body weight, and number of hypoglycemic episodes did not changes during the study.
It is concluded that metabolic control, safety, and number of hypoglycemic episodes using premeal doses of short-acting insulin using Novopen were not different from those seen during conventional treatment. However, the experienced effects and consequences on quality of life during this treatment regimen were generally more positive with an increased feeling of freedom and improvement in mood.
Eighteen C-peptide-negative patients with IDDM (16 men, two women, aged 31.0 ± 7.4 years, duration of diabetes 13.0 ± 4.6 years; mean ± SD) participated in the study. All patients had been treated with three daily insulin injections for at least 1 year prior to the study. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A started a 3-month treatment period with premeal injections of short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin at bedtime. This period was followed by another 3 months using the initial three times daily injection regimen. Group B completed the study in the reverse order. Quality of life was assessed by using questionaires and personal interviews by the same clinical psychologist. Metabolic control was assessed by measuring the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin.
The results show that both treatment groups experienced a general improvement in mood and well-being during the period with multiple insulin injection treatment. Furthermore, during the periods of insulin pen treatment, an increased experience of freedom and less dependence on fixed meal times were noted. Overall metabolic control, insulin dosage, body weight, and number of hypoglycemic episodes did not changes during the study.
It is concluded that metabolic control, safety, and number of hypoglycemic episodes using premeal doses of short-acting insulin using Novopen were not different from those seen during conventional treatment. However, the experienced effects and consequences on quality of life during this treatment regimen were generally more positive with an increased feeling of freedom and improvement in mood.
Department/s
Publishing year
1989
Language
English
Pages
37-43
Publication/Series
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume
6
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Elsevier
Topic
- Endocrinology and Diabetes
Keywords
- Insulin regimens
- Insulin pen
- Quality of life
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- Metabolic control
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1872-8227