Efficacy of short term continuous subcutaneous insulin lispro versus continuous intravenous regular insulin in poorly controlled, hospitalized, type 2 diabetic patients

Abstract

Intravenous insulin infusion (IVII) is rapidly effective in improving glycaemia in uncontrolled hospitalized diabetic patients. This significantly improves their morbidity and mortality. Intravenous insulin infusion may lead to IV infusion complications and is a heavy burden for caregivers.

Aim: The aim of our work was to compare the efficacy of IV regular insulin versus lispro Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII), in improving glycaemia in patients hospitalized for uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, the efficacy being assessed on the average blood glucose level observed.

Methods: The study was designed as a prospective randomized study. Thirty-three type 2 diabetic patients, hospitalized for uncontrolled diabetes by their usual practitioner were included. After acceptation, patients were randomly assigned to lispro CSII (group 1, n=20) or IVII regular insulin (group 2, n=13) for 5 days. Ten capillary blood glucose/day were performed. Pre-meal blood glucose targets were 4.4-6.6 mmol/l. Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon and Fischer exact tests were used.

Results: BG levels decreased significantly (-3.4+/-0.55 mmol/l in group 1 and -3.60+/-0.55 mmol/l in group 2, P<0.01) during the first 12 hours. Mean daily blood glucose at day 5 was statistically improved in both groups compared to day 1 (P<0.05 Wilcoxon) and comparable between the 2 groups. No severe hypoglycaemia was reported. No catheter complications occurred in group 1, 7 occurred in group 2.

Conclusion: CSII and IVII infusion were comparable in rapidly improving hyperglycaemia in uncontrolled type 2 diabetic patients. CSII, being more convenient, could be preferred in medical and surgical settings.