Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Effect of the carbohydrate counting method on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes
Viviane M Dias1, Juliana A Pandini, Raquel R Nunes
1Pedro Ernesto University Hospital (HUPE), Av, 28 de Setembro, n, 77, Vila Isabel - Rio de Janeiro - CEP: 20551-030 - RJ - Brazil. vivimonteirodias@gmail.com.
Background:
The importance of achieving and maintaining an appropriate metabolic control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) has been established in many studies aiming to prevent the development of chronic complications. The carbohydrate counting method can be recommended as an additional tool in the nutritional treatment of diabetes, allowing patients with DM1 to have more flexible food choices. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of nutrition intervention and the use of multiple short-acting insulin according to the carbohydrate counting method on clinical and metabolic control in patients with DM1.
Methods:
Our sample consisted of 51 patients with DM1, 32 females, aged 25.3 +/- 1.55 years. A protocol of nutritional status evaluation was applied and laboratory analysis was performed at baseline and after a three-month intervention. After the analysis of the food records, a balanced diet was prescribed using the carbohydrate counting method, and short-acting insulin was prescribed based on the total amount of carbohydrate per meal (1 unit per 15 g of carbohydrate).
Results:
A significant decrease in A1c levels was observed from baseline to the three-month evaluation after the intervention (10.40 +/- 0.33% and 9.52 +/- 0.32%, respectively, p = 0.000). It was observed an increase in daily insulin dose after the intervention (0.99 +/- 0.65 IU/Kg and 1.05 +/- 0.05 IU/Kg, respectively, p = 0.003). No significant differences were found regarding anthropometric evaluation (BMI, waist, hip or abdominal circumferences and waist to hip ratio) after the intervention period.
Conclusions:
The use of short-acting insulin based on the carbohydrate counting method after a short period of time resulted in a significant improvement of the glycemic control in patients with DM1 with no changes in body weight despite increases in the total daily insulin doses.
Related Concept Videos
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in the...
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...