[Present role of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) by insulin pump in the treatment of diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Since the publication of the DCCT results, intensive insulin treatment, including continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), has been considered one of the best methods for near-normal insulin delivery. The development of new, robust and easily programmable insulin pumps has led to readier acceptance of this therapy by physicians and patients. In clinical trials, CSII was found to be superior to multiple daily injection regimens in many cases. Patients with unsatisfactory glucose control, frequent hypoglycaemic events, and otherwise uncontrollable morning rises of blood glucose may in particular benefit from insulin pump therapy. Glucose control can even be improved in CSII if insulin lispro is used instead of regular human insulin, as demonstrated in many clinical investigations. Possible side effects of CSII are increased risk of ketoacidosis (e.g. in the case of catheter occlusion) and side effects at the infusion site. Since the successful development of devices for continuous glucose monitoring, the development of closed-loop systems has become more and more the focus of current clinical and technological research.