Factors related to CSII compliance

Many studies have demonstrated the metabolic efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and particularly a reduction of glycaemic fluctuations in type 1 diabetic patients. Despite this benefit, many patients decide to discontinue the use of CSII. To determine the factors related to discontinuation of CSII we analyzed clinical data from a group of 70 patients who had been consecutively started on this treatment from April 2000 to April 2002. Patients were followed for up to 2 years. Eighteen (25.7%) patients decided to terminate CSII during the study after an average of 235 days (range 21-293). The reasons for stopping CSII were decision of the patients (10), end of pregnancy (4), needle site infections (3) and lack of compliance (1). No significant difference was found between patients who had continued and those who had discontinued CSII for age, duration of diabetes, reasons for starting CSII, marital status, prepump concentration of HbA1c and prepump frequency of hypoglycaemia. There tend to be more discontinuations for pregnant women, patients attending hospital visits versus liberal practitioner and patients with lower educational level (below or over baccalaureat) although none of these differences was statistically significant. In conclusion we could not identify any predictive factor of CSII discontinuation.