Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (Mill-Hill Infuser) Versus Multiple Injections (Medi-Jector) in the Treatment of Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus and the Effect of Metabolic Control on Microangiopathy

Abstract

The present study was designed to compare continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using the Mill-Hill Infuser (Muirhead Medical Products Ltd., London, England) with multiple injections (MI) using the Medi-Jector (Derata Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota)in the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and to assess the effect of glucose control on diabetes complications. Twelve diabetic subjects were treated 3 mo with CSII and 3 mo with MI (bedtime ultralente and premeal boluses of regular insulin) ina randomized fashion. Prestudy preprandial/postprandial glucose levels were 147–215 mg/dl and improved to 108–138 mg/dl during CSII, and to 115–139 mg/dl during MI with glycosylated hemoglobin of 12.9%, 9.1%, and 8.7%, respectively. This improved glucose control with either CSII or MI was associated with an increase in sural nerve conductivity from 42.9 to 45 m/s and a decrease in proteinuria from 1.9 to 0.5 g/24 h. The 24-h insulin dose consisted of 45 U before the study, 44 U during CSII, and 56 U during MI. After the study, seven patients opted to continue with the Mill-Hill Infuser, and five with the Medi-Jector. We conclude the following: (1) treatment with both the Mill-Hill Infuser and the Medi-Jectorwas well accepted by the patients and resulted in similar improvement in measured blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin; (2) this improved metabolic control was associated with an increased nerve conductivity and a decreased protein excretion; and (3) MI required20% more insulin than CSII to achieve similar glycemic control.