Assessment of therapy with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in an academic diabetes clinic

Endocr Pract. 2002 Nov-Dec;8(6):401-5. doi: 10.4158/EP.8.6.401.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the results of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, especially relative to glycemic control and rate of discontinuation of insulin pump therapy.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of 107 patients with type 1 diabetes who were receiving CSII at the Diabetes Care Center at the University of Washington Medical Center was performed to evaluate clinical outcomes. All patients considering CSII therapy participated in a class to learn the details of insulin pump treatment.

Results: The mean age of our patient population was 36.0 +/- 10.4 years (mean value +/- standard deviation). The mean duration of diabetes at the initiation of insulin pump therapy was 17.0 +/- 9.1 years. The mean duration of CSII use was 36.1 +/- 25.5 months (median, 26.2 months). Insulin lispro was used by 89.7% of the patients. Six patients (5.6%) discontinued CSII therapy after a mean of 19.1 +/- 14.7 months for a variety of reasons. Despite no significant difference in home blood glucose monitoring (number of tests per day) before initiation of CSII, mean hemoglobin A1c levels decreased from 7.6% to 7.1% (P<0.0001), and the occurrence of severe hypoglycemic episodes decreased 73.8% (P = 0.0003).

Conclusion: In our academic diabetes clinic with a formal insulin pump program, we noted a significant improvement in hemoglobin A1c values, a significant reduction in the frequency of severe hypoglycemic episodes, and a low rate of discontinuation of CSII. CSII therapy, when provided in conjunction with a standard educational program, should continue to be an important treatment option in appropriately selected patients with type 1 diabetes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / epidemiology
  • Insulin Infusion Systems* / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin A