Glycaemic control using different regimens of intermediate- and short-acting insulin in childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus: an experience from a tertiary care centre

Multiple-dose insulin and insulin pump therapy have been found to have better glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes compared to other regimens. In developing countries where this may not be an option for all patients, the efficacy of regimens employing intermediate- and short-acting regimens needs to be determined. The objective of the present study is to compare the HbA1c-lowering efficacy of various regimens of short-acting and intermediate-acting human recombinant insulin in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Ninety-eight patients with type 1 diabetes were treated with various regimens of intermediate- and short-acting insulin, and their efficacy was compared. The mean HbA1c at enrolment was 11.34, 10.18 and 10.5 % among the different groups. Six months later, there was a significant reduction in HbA1c in patients on the thrice-daily variable mix of short- and intermediate-acting insulin (group A) compared to those on twice-daily premixed insulin (group B) or on the combination of once-daily premixed insulin and twice-daily short-acting insulin (p = 0.0003). There was a significant reduction in HbA1c in those who were shifted to the group A regimen after 6 months (p = 0023).