Decreasing insulin requirements in CAPD patients given intraperitoneal insulin

In a retrospective study, insulin requirements were examined in two groups of dialyzed diabetic patients: one treated with subcutaneous insulin and the other with intraperitoneal insulin. In the first group, insulin requirements did not change with time on dialysis irrespective of whether the patients were treated with hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); however, in CAPD patients using the intraperitoneal route of administration, a significant decrease in insulin requirements occurred simultaneously with improved metabolic control. This observation may indicate that intraperitoneal administration of insulin is advantageous as compared to the subcutaneous route.