Insulin Analogs May Improve Quality of Life

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Improvement of glycemic control and quality-of-life by insulin lispro therapy; assessing benefits by ITR-QOL questionnaires, by Hitoshi Ishii and colleagues. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice 81:169-178, 2008

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Having the best possible blood glucose control is key to avoiding diabetes complications. But many people face obstacles in trying to follow their doctor's recommendations. Insulin regimens that limit flexibility in a person's lifestyle or eating patterns are one such obstacle.

Why did researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to find out if switching from regular insulin, which must be injected about 30 minutes before a meal, to a fast-acting insulin analog, which can be injected just before a meal, improves patients' quality of life related to their insulin therapy.

Who was studied?

The study included 770 Japanese patients who switched from regular insulin to the fast-acting insulin analog lispro.

How was the study done?

Researchers studied the patients for 12 weeks after switching insulins to see if using the fast-acting insulin made it easier for the patients to inject at the recommended time and to see if the patients' diabetes control and quality of life improved.

What did the researchers find?

After switching to the fast-acting analog lispro, 95% of the patients reported always or usually following recommendations about when to inject. Participants' average A1C levels (a measure of one's blood glucose levels over a few months) improved without causing more low blood glucose episodes, and patients reported improved quality of life.

What were the limitations of the study?

Just participating in this study may have improved some patients' attitudes toward diabetes care because the study started just as the first insulin analog was reaching the Japanese market. Also, the study included a wide range of people with a wide range of circumstances related to diabetes care. Intensifying insulin therapy may have played a part in improving quality of life for some of the patients.

What are the implications of the study?

Insulin regimens that use a fast-acting analog may be more convenient than regimens using regular insulin and may help patients better control their diabetes and enjoy a higher quality of life.

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