Insulin therapy in maturity-onset diabetes

A prime target of insulin action in patients with maturity onset diabetes is suppression of hepatic glucose production in both the fasting and postprandial states. In patients who fail to respond to oral treatment insulin improves glycaemic control, has an antiatherogenic effect on the serum lipoprotein pattern, and increases well being. The beneficial long-term effects of insulin therapy on morbidity and mortality are, however, still unproved. The regimens of insulin therapy are not established. In patients with normal or increased basal serum C-peptide concentration treatment may start with intermediate or long-acting insulin at bedtime together with oral medication, or in the morning with or without oral medication. If this fails two injections of intermediate-acting insulin or multiple injections of short-acting insulin should be started. Hypoglycaemia is uncommon in maturity onset diabetes treated with insulin, but moderate weight gain usually occurs. The possible role of hyperinsulinemia as a predisposing factor for atherogenesis remains unresolved. Despite controversies over treatment, any patient with maturity onset diabetes not responding to oral agents should be regarded as a candidate for insulin therapy.