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Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Philip Home
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People who use an insulin regimen with pre-meal short-acting human insulin are usually recommended to inject insulin 20-40 min before the meal. It is a widespread impression, however, that most-insulin-treated diabetic patients do not follow such recommendations and inject their pre-meal insulin preparation with an interval shorter than advised. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the timing of pre-meal injections, and to assess any relationship of the timing of pre-meal insulin to overall blood glucose control, together with effects of age, sex, type and duration of diabetes. We studied 179 insulin-treated diabetic patients, advised in accordance with local protocols to take their premeal insulin injections 20 min or more before meals, using a short exploratory questionnaire. Patients answered one question about the timing of their pre-meal insulin injection in relation to each main meal. In addition, physicians provided information on the patient's medical and diabetes history and blood glucose control from the medical records. Twenty-seven per cent of patients reported having their pre-meal insulin injection 0-5 min before meals, and 31% 6-10 min before meals. Twenty-four per cent reported an 11-20 min interval, and 18% reported following the recommendations and taking their insulin 20 min or more before meals. HbA1c did not differ with pre-meal injection interval. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and duration of diabetes had no effect on the injection-meal interval reported. In conclusion these results show that only a minority of insulin-treated patients follow the recommendations regarding the timing of pre-meal insulin injections. Blood glucose control as assessed by HbA1c is not obviously affected by the timing of pre-meal insulin injection in relation to meals. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Author(s): Ahmed ABE, Badgandi M, Home PD
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Practical Diabetes International
Year: 2001
Volume: 18
Issue: 2
Pages: 51-56
Print publication date: 01/03/2001
Online publication date: 11/05/2001
ISSN (print): 1357-8170
ISSN (electronic): 1528-252X
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/pdi.126
DOI: 10.1002/pdi.126
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