A morning dose of insulin glargine prevents nocturnal ketosis after postprandial interruption of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion with insulin lispro

AIM: The aim of this crossover trial was to evaluate the potential of partial substitution of basal insulin with glargine, administered once daily in the morning, to protect against nocturnal ketosis after postprandial interruption of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). METHODS: Seven patients with type 1 diabetes received 4 weeks of treatment with insulin lispro, administered by CSII, and 4 weeks of treatment with CSII and a partial basal replacement dose of insulin glargine administered in the morning. On day 28 of each treatment phase, patients were admitted to the research unit where dinner was served and their usual dinner insulin bolus dose given, after which CSII was discontinued at 7 pm. Plasma (p) beta-hydroxybutyrate and p glucose were measured every hour for 12 h thereafter. RESULTS: Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate at 7 pm was 0.16+/-0.05 and 0.13+/-0.07 mmol/l with and without glargine, respectively, and increased to 0.17+/-0.10 and 0.60+/-0.3 mmol/l within 6 h (P=0.02). Plasma glucose increased without glargine, from 8.6+/-2.9 to 21.1+/-3.0 mmol/l (P=0.003), but did not rise significantly following glargine (13.6+/-4.7 vs. 12.6+/-5.6 mmol/l; P=0.65). CONCLUSIONS: Partial replacement with a morning dose of insulin glargine protects against the development of ketosis for as much as 12 h after postprandial interruption of CSII. This treatment strategy could, therefore, be useful for patients who are prone to ketosis but, for other reasons, are deemed suitable for CSII.