Insulin infusion

From WikiCover

Short-term interruptions of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes can result in significant elevations in blood glucose levels, according to new study results presented on June 23, 2007 at the American Diabetes Association's 67th Annual Scientific Sessions.

In the 19-patient study, mean glucose values were significantly higher (p value < 0.001) at 0.5, 3.0, and 3.5 hours after CSII interruptions when compared to glucose levels in the 3 hours prior to the interruptions. The rate of rise in glucose concentration over 3 hours was approximately 1 mg/dL for each minute of insulin infusion interruption.

Study investigator Howard Zisser, MD, director of clinical research at the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, explained the clinical relevance of these findings: "Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy allows for the possibility of around-the-clock delivery of insulin for patients with type 1 diabetes. However, in practice, patients often have short-term interruptions in insulin delivery when they disconnect from their pumps for various reasons, such as showering, changing their clothes, swimming and intimate moments. This study provides concrete evidence that these interruptions raise blood glucose levels."