Chronic continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion (CIPII) in type I diabetic patients non-satisfactorily responsive to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII)

Summary Six unstable C-peptide negative type I diabetic patients who had been previously treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for at least one year without achieving satisfactory metabolic control, were admitted to this study and switched to continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion (CIPII). The results obtained with the two treatments have been compared from the metabolic and clinical points of view. CIPII produced a decrease in HbA_1c (p<0.05), in MAGE value (p<0.005), in the percentage of blood glucose determinations above 14 mmol/l (p<0.05) and below 3.9 mmol/l (p<0.05); an increase in serum cholesterol, and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) due to a reduction of the HDL₂ fraction (p<0.01). A mean body weight reduction of 3 kg was observed during CIPII (p<0.01), not related to dietary changes or to a reduction of the daily insulin dose. Twenty-four hour metabolic profiles during CIPII showed lower mean plasma glucose (p<0.001), serum free insulin (p<0.001), blood β-OH-butyrate (p<0.001), and higher serum glycerol (p<0.001) as compared to CSII. It is concluded that CIPII may be of clinical value in the out-patient management of unstable type I diabetic patients, and that metabolic modifications induced by CIPII are not limited to changes in glucose utilization and production, but include changes in triglyceride, cholesterol and lipid metabolism which may have clinical relevance. Supported by the National Research Council (CNR), Target Project ‘Preventive Medicine and Rehabilitation’, Subproject ‘4’ and by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, U.S.A., file No. 184066.     

Accuracy of continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring with the GlucoDay in type 1 diabetic patients treated by subcutaneous insulin infusion during exercise of low versus high intensity

AIM: The GlucoDay allows continuous glucose monitoring by subcutaneous microdialysis in sedentary conditions. To validate it when glycaemia may undergo rapid and dramatic changes, we investigated its accuracy during two exercise sessions with markedly different glucose disposal rates. METHODS: Nine male diabetic patients, aged 32-61, treated by insulin pumps, first underwent a standard maximal exercise-test designed for determining the maximal oxygen consumption and the first ventilatory threshold (Vt1). Then two 30 min steady-state workloads at 15% below and 15% above the Vt1 were performed in random order with the GlucoDay, and measurement of CHO oxidation rates was made by indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: CHO oxidation during exercise at +15% Vt1 was higher (+943.5 mg/min, ie +45.5%, P<0.01) than during exercise at -15% Vt1 No hypoglycaemia occurred. Due to breakages of 39% of subcutaneous probes, eleven steady-state sessions in 7 subjects allowed to compare 141 paired glucose (sensor vs. venous) determinations. The Clarke error grid situates 92.9% of glucose values within the A zone and 6.4% within the B zone, while only one pair of values (0.7%) falls in the D zone. Venous glucose tended to decrease more rapidly than sensor glucose during exercise. Bland-Altman plots evidence for a few cases of underestimation of venous glucose at high intensity. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed satisfactory accuracy of the GlucoDay during exercise. A slight lag time in sensor values likely explains a few discrepancies that do not appear as clinically meaningful. Reduction of probe fragility and confirmed sensor accuracy in hypoglycaemia would further support applicability of GlucoDay at exercise.     

老年2型糖尿病患者胰岛素泵的临床应用

目的 探讨连续皮下胰岛素输注(CSII)在老年2型糖尿病患者中的应用. 方法 老年组415例,非老年组461例,均进行短期CSII强化治疗,比较两组应用CSII的差别和低血糖发生率. 结果 老年组和非老年组血糖达标时间分别为(6.3±2.1)d和(6.8±2.6)d.胰岛素日用量分别为(0.63±0.24)U/kg和(0.69±0.25)U/kg,差异均无统计学意义;老年组夜间基础率较低,且夜间低血糖发生率较高.分别为0.08次/例和0.04次/例. 结论 CSII能有效控制老年2型糖尿病患者的血糖,但应注意减少晚餐前大剂量和夜间的基础率,从而降低低血糖风险.     

Diurnal variation of carbohydrate insulin ratio in adult type 1 diabetic patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

To estimate the carbohydrate‐to‐insulin ratio (CIR), a formula dividing a constant, usually 300–500, by the total daily dose (TDD) of insulin, is widely utilized. An appropriate CIR varies for each meal of the day, however. Here, we investigate diurnal variation of CIR in hospitalized Japanese type 1 diabetic patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. After optimization of the insulin dose, TDD and total basal insulin dose (TBD) were 34.9 ± 10.2 and 9.3 ± 2.8 units, respectively, with a percentage of TBD to TDD of 27.3 ± 6.0%. The products of CIR and TDD at breakfast, lunch and dinner were 311 ± 63, 530 ± 161, and 396 ± 63, respectively, suggesting that in the formula estimating CIR using TDD, the constant should vary for each meal of the day, and that 300, 500, and 400 are appropriate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively.     

The metabolic and hormonal effects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in diabetic children

Summary To find out whether the concurrent metabolic and hormonal abnormalities are corrected when normoglycaemia is achieved, two groups of diabetic children (newly-diagnosed and chronically-treated) were treated with insulin pumps. Fasting levels of metabolites, lipids and hormones were measured before and after 8 to 10 days of pump treatment and the immediate postprandial hormonal and metabolic changes after a test-meal were also measured. Restoration of normoglycaemia was accompanied by correction of multiple metabolic abnormalities including the normalisation of fasting plasma free insulin, growth hormone, free fatty acid, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. Plasma glucagon, however, decreased below normal, and significant hypoketonaemia developed in newly-diagnosed diabetic children. The fall in (VLDL+LDL)-cholesterol levels was accompanied by a substantial increase in HDL₂-cholesterol concentration in newly-diagnosed diabetic children, whereas pump-treatment resulted in a decrease of the HDL₃-cholesterol subfraction in chronically-treated diabetic children. The postprandial blood glucose and free insulin profiles were similar to that of control subjects, but there was an abnormal postmeal fall in plasma glucagon and free fatty acid levels. These changes together with the fasting hypoglucagonaemia and hypoketonaemia indirectly suggest that optimal glycaemic control is only achievable at the expense of increased insulin action despite the failure to detect peripheral hyperinsulinaemia. Furthermore, the restoration of normoglycaemia and the simultaneous normalisation of the metabolic and endocrine milieu is not entirely possible with this mode of therapy.     

Feasibility of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in young diabetic patients

Seven diabetic children (age: 8-12 y.) participated in a study comparing CSII and conventional treatment (CT) under the same monitoring and supervision for a year. The aim of the study was to explore the feasibility, the risks and the results on the glycemic control of CSII. Mean HbAlC fell from 9.3 +/- 2.1% to 7.3 +/- 1.4% (p less than 0.001) after the first month of CSII, remaining stable thereafter and with marginally lower, daily insulin requirements. There was a trend for HbAlc to increase, (HbAlC = 8.6 +/- 1.8%) under conventional treatment. The individual means of premeal capillary blood glucose concentrations were lower under CSII than under CT, but exhibited large variability under both treatments. Symptomatic hypoglycemia was as frequent under CSII as under CT. Ketonuria occurred frequently after the night basal infusion, but was of moderate clinical relevance and mainly due to technical problems. All seven children completed the trial; 4 of them chose to return to pump treatment. No psychologically adverse effects were noted. They all liked the flexibility of lifestyle afforded by CSII, and were generally compliant with the guidelines of this regimen. The pump itself was a valuable educational tool for the children and their families. However, CSII was recognized as individually demanding. This study demonstrates the feasibility of CSII in prepubertal children, and its impact on the glycemic control. The risks of this form of intensified treatment were limited by the strict monitoring and medical supervision provided by a specialized team.     

Variation of insulin absorption during subcutaneous and peritoneal infusion in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with unsatisfactory long-term glycaemic response to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

The aim of present study was to analyse the reproducibility of plasma-free insulin profiles of subcutaneously (CSII) and intraperitoneally (CIPII) administered insulin in 6 C-peptide-negative, type 1, diabetic patients. The patients were selected for CIPII because of unsatisfactory, long-term, metabolic response to CSII. Plasma-free insulin was measured repeatedly, twice during subcutaneous infusion and twice during intraperitoneal infusion, for 4 hours, following a standard breakfast. In the CSII experiment, insulin was given as a meal-dose of 0.1 U per kg body weight, and in the CIPII experiment the meal-dose was 0.05 U per kg body weight. The dose-induced peak occurred earlier after the CIPII than with the CSII (60.0 +/- 8.0 vs 133.6 +/- 16.3 min). In conclusion, the intra-patient coefficient of variation (C.V.) of plasma-free-insulin profiles at 0-60 min and 0.240 min, as well as the peak time, were markedly lower for CIPII insulin than for CSII, indicating a more reproducible way of insulin administration with CIPII in this selected group of patients.     

A reduction in severe hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes in a randomized crossover study of continuous intraperitoneal compared with subcutaneous insulin infusion

Aim: Continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion (CIPII) with the DiaPort system using regular insulin was compared to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using insulin Lispro, to investigate the frequency of hypoglycemia, blood glucose control, quality of life, and safety.
Methods: In this open, randomized, controlled, cross-over, multinational, 12-month study, 60 type 1 diabetic patients with frequent hypoglycemia and/or HbA1c > 7.0% with CSII were randomized to CIPII or CSII. The aim was to obtain the best possible blood glucose while avoiding hypoglycemia.
Results: The frequency of any hypoglycemia was similar (CIPII 118.2 (SD 82.6) events / patient year, CSII 115.8 (SD 75.7) p = 0.910). The incidence of severe hypoglycemia with CSII was more than twice the one with CIPII (CIPII 34.8 events / 100 patient years, CSII 86.1, p = 0.013). HbA1c, mean blood glucose, and glucose fluctuations were not statistically different. Treatment-related severe complications occurred mainly during CIPII: port infections (0.47 events / patient year), abdominal pain (0.21 events / patient year), insulin underdelivery (0.14 events / patient year). Weight gain was greater with CSII (+ 1.5 kg vs. − 0.1 kg, p = 0.013), quality of life better with CIPII.
Conclusions: In type 1 diabetes CIPII with DiaPort reduces the number of severe episodes of hypoglycemia and improves quality of life with no weight gain. Because of complications, indications for CIPII must be strictly controlled. CIPII with DiaPort is an alternative therapy when CSII is not fully successful and provides an easy method of intraperitoneal therapy.     

Combination of continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin and octreotide in Type 1 diabetic patients

The effect of 7 day continuous subcutaneous infusion of octreotide (200 microg day(-1)) was evaluated in seven insulin-pump treated Type 1 diabetic patients (age 43+/-1.5 year; BMI 25.1+/-0.7 kg m(-2); HbA(1c) 7.4+/-0.3%). A 24-h metabolic and hormonal profile, and a euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg kg(-1) min(-1)), with [3H]glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry, were performed before and after a 7-day octreotide infusion. Mean 24-h plasma glucose was similar before and after octreotide (9.7+/-0.8 vs. 9.1+/-1.0 mmol l(-1)) but insulin requirement dropped by 45% (49+/-4 vs. 27+/-2 U day(-1); P<0.01). Both 24-h plasma hGH and glucagon were suppressed by octreotide (1.85+/-0.35 vs. 0.52+/-0.04 microg l(-1), and 117+/-23 vs. 102+/-14 ng l(-1), respectively). Glucose utilisation increased after octreotide (insulin 0.5 mU kg(-1) min(-1) clamp 3.09+/-0.23 vs. 4.19+/-0.19 mg kg(-1) min(-1); 1 mU kg(-1) min(-1) clamp 5.64+/-0.61 vs. 7.93+/-0.57 mg kg(-1) min(-1); both P<0.05) and endogenous glucose production was similarly suppressed. Glucose oxidation was not affected by octreotide, while the improvement in glucose storage (insulin 1.0 mU kg(-1) min(-1) clamp 3.89+/-0.60 vs. 5.64+/-0.67 mg kg(-1) min(-1), P<0.05) entirely accounted for the increase in glucose disposal. Endogenous glucose production was more effectively suppressed at the two lower insulin infusion rates (P>0.05). Energy expenditure declined after octreotide. Continuous subcutaneous octreotide infusion suppresses counterregulatory hormones, increases insulin-mediated glucose metabolism by enhancing glucose storage, and reduces energy expenditure. These results support a role for counterregulatory hormones in the genesis of insulin resistance and the catabolic state of Type 1 diabetes.     

住院2型糖尿病患者胰岛素泵的合理应用

目的 探讨短期胰岛素泵强化治疗对2型糖尿病住院患者的应用方法,分析影响疗效及胰岛素用量的相关因素.方法 对1 276例2型糖尿病患者行胰岛素泵强化治疗,观察总体胰岛素泵应用情况,在初诊、老年伴肥胖或感染等特殊情况下胰岛素泵应用上的差别.结果 胰岛素强化治疗后总体血糖在(5.7±2.6)d达标,达标时单位胰岛素用量为(0.69±0.31)U·kg-1·d-1;初诊组达标较快,达标后胰岛素减量更早,幅度更大,达到临床缓解的比例更高;老年组夜间基础率较低,且夜间低血糖发生的风险较大;伴肥胖组餐前胰岛素用量较大,但低血糖风险较低;伴感染组胰岛素用量较大,主要是基础率明显增加;血糖达标天数和胰岛素用量主要与感染、基础血糖及肥胖显著相关.结论 对不同人群的连续皮下胰岛素输注应用方法存在着差别,患者的感染、基础血糖和肥胖指标有助于确定初始胰岛素用量.     

Low subcutaneous degradation and slow absorption of insulin in insulin-dependent diabetic patients during continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion at basal rate

Summary As information on the absorption kinetics and local degradation of infused insulin is relevant to programming strategies for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, we examined the time relationship of systemic insulin appearance and quantitated subcutaneous degradation during a near-basal rate of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in five insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Plasma free insulin was monitored for 8 h during and 3 h after a subcutaneous (abdominal wall) infusion of neutral insulin at 2.4 U/h. An identical intravenous infusion (2–4 h) was given on a separate occasion. Plateau levels of free insulin were not significantly different during the subcutaneous (37±8 mU/l) and intravenous (40±7 mU/l) infusions. Fitting of the free insulin data to our two-pool model of the subcutaneous space gave a mean estimate of 9.2 units insulin (= 3.8 h infusion) for the subcutaneous depot after 8 h. Model estimates of systemic insulin appearance, as a percentage of subcutaneous infusion rate, were 59% and 93% after 4 and 8 h respectively, and 76% 2 h after cessation of infusion. In insulin-dependent diabetic patients subcutaneous degradation of infused insulin is negligible but local accumulation in the subcutaneous space is considerable. The delay in absorption has important clinical implications for interruption and resumption of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and also for programming of variable basal rates.     

短期胰岛素泵治疗初诊2型糖尿病患者的随访研究

目的 观察短期应用胰岛素泵治疗初诊2型糖尿病的中远期疗效及不良反应.方法 观察、随访、回顾性分析256例初诊2型糖尿病患者经胰岛素泵(CSII)强化治疗2周后控制血糖情况、不服用药物血糖达标(空腹血糖:3.9～7.0 mmol/L,餐后2h血糖:3.9～10.0 mmol/L)持续时间(缓解期)等.结果 CSII治疗3 d血糖达标率46.7%,7 d达标率78.4%,2周达标率92.2%;拆除胰岛素泵缓解期超过3个月的患者共192例(75%),超过6个月166例(64.8%),超过12个月137例(53.5%),超过24个月79例(30.9%),超过36个月26例(10.2%),无1例超过48个月.缓解期少于3个月的患者,其停用胰岛素时的剂量明显高于缓解期超过3个月的患者(P＜0.01),停用胰岛素时的剂量与缓解期的长度呈负相关(r=-0.63,P＜0.01).结论 CSII可迅速有效使初诊2型糖尿病患者血糖达标,消除高血糖的毒性作用,使受糖毒性损伤的残存胰岛β细胞功能得到一定程度恢复,可延缓胰岛β细胞功能的衰退.     

Metabolic response to three years of continuous, basal rate intravenous insulin infusion in type II diabetic patients

We studied two obese type II diabetic patients before, during, and after 3 yr of continuous iv insulin infusion, delivered by means of totally implanted insulin infusion pumps. Tolerance of the devices was excellent, and no side-effects or episodes of significant hypoglycemia occurred. Glycosuria was eliminated, and mean 24-h plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels decreased in both patients and remained in or near the normal range for 3 yr. Improvements were also noted in serum triglyceride concentrations and vitreous fluorescein concentrations after iv fluorescein injection. Euglycemic insulin clamp studies showed that no significant change in glucose disposal rate occurred after 6 and 12 months of treatment. However, some improvement in insulin secretion during hyperglycemic insulin clamp studies occurred in both patients after 6 months of insulin infusion. Evaluation of the insulin-glycerol mixture used in the pump revealed that moderate degradation of insulin occurred in the pump during the 21-day flow cycle, resulting in 6-12% increases in fasting blood glucose levels; in addition, higher mol wt species of immunoreactive insulin were present in the patients' serum. We conclude that long term continuous iv infusion of insulin using a totally implantable infusion pump is practical in type II diabetic patients, is acceptable to patients, and is capable of providing near-normal glycemic control.     

Adrenomedullary hyperactivity in type I diabetic patients before and during continuous subcutaneous insulin treatment

Urinary norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) excretion was measured at 4-h intervals for 2 consecutive days in nine type I diabetic patients with no signs of autonomic neuropathy before and after 3 weeks of glycemic control with continuous insulin infusion (CSII). Twenty-four-hour urinary E excretion was significantly higher in the diabetic patients than in normal subjects both before and after the period of CSII treatment [mean, 198.9 +/- 20.6 +/- SE and 127.8 +/- 24.4 vs, 46.6 +/- 9.8 nmol/day; P less than 0.05 for both]. The values in each of the 4-h periods before and in two of three of the periods after the 3-week period of CSII were significantly higher than those in normal subjects. Total urinary NE excretion was similar to that in the normal subjects at both times. The 24-h urinary NE/E ratio was significantly lower in diabetic patients even after they had achieved good metabolic control, compared with that in normal subjects (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs, 11.6 +/- 3.7; P less than 0.03). These data demonstrate hyperactivity of the adrenal medulla in type I diabetic patients, which is only partially reversed by a short period of glycemic control.     

Continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion partly restores the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetic patients

The glycaemic and hormonal responses to a hypoglycaemic event induced by an i.v. bolus of insulin was studied in seven type 1 diabetic patients treated first with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and subsequently with continuous intraperitoneal insulin infusion (CIPII). Arterialised blood glucose and venous hormonal responses were analyzed. HbA1c was improved by CIPII. Although a regimen of a higher basal insulin infusion rate was applied during CIPII the basal peripheral venous insulin levels were lower. The i.v. bolus of insulin resulted in hypoglycaemia in both tests but was more pronounced during the CSII test expressed as a smaller area under the curve (AUC) for the first hour (13.0 +/- 2.3 vs. 13.7 +/- 1.2 mmol l(-1) h(-1), p=0.016, CSII vs. CIPII). The hypoglycaemia resulted in a significant and similar increase in the plasma levels of adrenaline, cortisol and growth hormone in both experiments. A significant increase in the glucagon level was only observed during CIPII. The incremental glucagon response was also significantly more pronounced in the CIPII test expressed as maximal responses (7.5 +/- 3.0 vs. 17.0 +/- 3.1 pg ml(-1), p =0.048, CSII vs. CIPII) as well as incremental AUC (5.1 +/- 12.0 vs. 44.4 +/- 13.2 pg ml(-1) h(-1), p =0.027, CSII vs. CIPII). It seems that CIPII in type 1 diabetic patients could improve the glucagon release to hypoglycaemia. This observation may contribute in explaining why CIPII is associated with a lower incidence of hypoglycaemia in spite of an improvement in metabolic control.     

Sexual activity in diabetic patients treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy

Background and aimsAs concerns over interference with sexual activity may be an obstacle to initiating pump therapy in diabetic patients, the aim of the study was to assess the impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy on sexual activity.Patients and methodsPatients filled out a questionnaire on their demographic data, diabetes history, pump-treatment history, metabolic control, inconvenience/convenience of the pump and catheter, and information on sexual activity.ResultsA total of 271 diabetic patients (aged 44 ± 17 years, 51% women, 22% single), treated with CSII for 4.2 ± 5.9 years and with a diabetes duration of 19 ± 11 years, filled out the questionnaire. Their HbA_1c was 7.7 ± 1.1%, with 2.4 ± 2.1 mild hypoglycaemic episodes over the past week, and their frequency of sexual activity was: never 29.9%; < 1/month 12.3%; > 1/month and < 1/week 18.2%; and > 1/week 39.6%. Age and cohabitation were independently correlated with frequency of sexual activity (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0003, respectively), but not diabetes duration or complications. To the question “Does the pump have an influence on your sexual activity?”, The answer was “no” in 90% and “yes” in 10%. However, intercourse frequency was significantly decreased in the latter (P = 0.04). On multivariate analyses, this negative influence of CSII was correlated with HbA_1c (P < 0.05), discomfort with the pump (P < 0.05) and the number of mild hypoglycaemic episodes (P < 0.01).ConclusionFrequency of sexual activity appears to be unaffected by pump therapy or diabetes, but is decreased by the expected characteristics–namely, age and being single. Also, only 10% of patients believe that CSII is an obstacle during sexual activity and, in particular, because of the catheter.     

Exercise in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

Summary The study was performed to investigate the effects of mild to moderate exercise on blood glucose levels, metabolite concentrations and responses of counterregulatory hormones in tightly controlled Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, and to quantify the measures necessary to prevent acute and late exercise-induced hypoglycaemia. Seven male patients started a 60 min exercise period 90 min after an insulin bolus and a standard breakfast; they were monitored during a post-exercise resting period of 5 h 30 min. Different basal and premeal insulin infusion rates were applied. (Near)normoglycaemia prevailed throughout the study during the control protocol when the subjects did not exercise and received their usual insulin dose. When they exercised without changing the insulin dose, four patients were forced to stop due to hypoglycaemia. This effect of exercise could be attenuated but not completely avoided if the basal infusion rate of insulin was discontinued during the exercise period. The pronounced increase in catecholamine and growth hormone concentrations during exercise were not sufficient to prevent hypoglycaemic reactions. Hypoglycaemia during exercise could only be prevented when the premeal insulin bolus was reduced by 50% in addition to the discontinuation of the basal insulin infusion during exercise. In order to reduce late hypoglycaemic reactions after exercise the best measure proved to be a reduction of the basal insulin infusion rate by 25% during post-exercise hours. Administration of only 50% of the basal insulin infusion rate during this time was associated with blood glucose levels being raised up to 8 mmol/l. In conclusion, Type 1 diabetic patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion at (near)normoglycaemia need to reduce their insulin dosage before, during, and after mild to moderate endurance exercise in order to minimize the risk of acute and late hypoglycaemia.     

Retrospective analysis of daily glucose profile in type 1 diabetic patients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

A retrospective analysis of blood glucose control was performed in 17 type 1 diabetic patients who regularly monitored their blood glucose concentration by visual strips over a period of 3-83 months. Analysis was performed by a patient management software loaded on a personal computer. In this cohort of patients the average daily blood glucose reading was 1.6 +/- 0.3. Blood glucose readings were collected more frequently following meal ingestion (40.3%) than in the post-absorptive state (24.6%; P less than 0.05). Blood glucose concentration fluctuated from a basal level of 146 +/- 5 mg/dl to 167 +/- 4 mg/dl in the post-prandial phases with an average daily value of 156 +/- 2 mg/dl. Blood glucose values below 80 mg/dl were evenly distributed throughout the day, while hyperglycemia (greater than 300 mg/dl) occurred more commonly after meals (42%). Daily blood glucose was higher during weekends (164 +/- 5 mg/dl) than during weekdays (155 +/- 2 mg/dl; P less than 0.05). A weak correlation was found between the number of blood glucose readings/day and daily blood glucose level. These results suggest that long-term maintenance of satisfactory metabolic control is attainable in type 1 diabetic patients and that this is mainly dependent upon subject self awareness.     

The use of continuous subcutaneous octreotide infusion in brittle type 1 diabetic patients.

Two Type 1 diabetic patients with brittle diabetes were successfully treated using continuous SC octreotide (Sandostatin) infusion (200 micrograms 24-h-1) for 6 months and 12 months. When the analogue was discontinued, rapid deterioration in glucose control and ketonuria recurred in one patient and diabetic ketoacidosis in the other. These were corrected after reinstitution of the analogue.