[Basal bolus therapy in adolescent diabetic patients]

Between April 1986 and December 1987 30 adolescent patients with type 1 diabetes were changed from a conventional twice daily insulin regimen to the basal-bolus system, using pen-injectors. Actually, 26 patients are still using the new system. A comparison was made over a three-year period with a group of 26 patients on conventional therapy matched for age, sex and diabetes duration. A questionnaire was sent to the pen-injectors for subjective evaluation of the new system. The insulin dose remained unchanged. The incidence of hypoglycemic coma in the control group (4.3 per year/26 patients) was similar to the one in the pen-injector group prior to installation of the new system (4.0 per year/26 patients) and increased, but not significantly, on the new system (8.9 per year/26 patients). In both groups, the relative body weight increased significantly, the increase being greater in the pen-injectors (p = 0.001) than in the controls (p = 0.042); however, the difference of weight gain between the two groups was not significant. Fasting plasma cholesterol and triglycerides did not change. Glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb-A1 corrected for Hb-F) dropped significantly in the pen-injectors three months after installation of the new system (p = 0.026), but reached the preceding level already after six months. In the controls, the Hb-A1 remained constant over the three years. Greater flexibility in lifestyle, easier handling and better subjective diabetes control were the main advantages mentioned by the patients on the new system. Negative statements were the necessity for multiple injections, the high frequency of blood glucose control and strongly increased problems with weight control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)