[Long-term therapy with human insulin. Clinical experiences]

During in-patient admission after metabolic stabilisation insulin treatment of 32 type-1-diabetics was changed from bovine insulin (Depot-Insulin Hoechst CR) to semisynthetic human insulin of the intermediary type (Depot-H-Insulin Hoechst). Out-patient follow-up over a period of 12 months showed constant satisfactory mean day blood sugar values and morning postprandial blood sugar. 14 patients, however, showed significantly increased fasting blood sugar values which could be adjusted after change of evening insulin injections to the longer acting NPH insulin without normal insulin admixture (Basal-H-insulin Hoechst). In addition, a slight but not significant reduction of daily insulin requirements could be noted. There was no change of the relation between morning and evening insulin dosage. Hypoglycaemias did not occur significantly more frequently and hypoglycaemic symptoms showed no alterations.