[Combination treatment with insulin and sulfonylurea. Results of a 5-year study]

For establishing the mode of treatment 55 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with later sulfonylurea resistance were examined with respect to insulin and insulin-sulfonylurea sensitivity. The test is helpful in reducing the time of clinical evaluation, in the easy and rapid selection of the suitable medication. 37 patients with sulfonylurea resistance were also resistant to insulin. In 21 of them the combined insulin and sulfonylurea test showed a significant fall of blood sugar. The latter received combined insulin and sulfonylurea therapy for 5 years. During this observation period treatment proved to be effective, the fasting, postprandial and daily values of blood sugar, glycosuria and HbA1 concentrations showed constant decrease. With the combined insulin and sulfonylurea therapy and low insulin doses carbohydrate metabolism may be normalized. In 2/3 of patients repeated daily injection of insulin was not required. Severe hypoglycemia did not occur in the course of treatment.