Antiinsulin antibodies and clinical characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other connective tissue diseases with steroid induced diabetes.

The development of antiinsulin antibodies during insulin therapy for steroid induced diabetes was documented in a group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other connective tissue disorders. No patient had antiinsulin antibodies due to the underlying disorder, but all developed antibodies after treatment with exogenous insulin while receiving steroid therapy. Most antibodies had higher avidity for beef insulin, suggesting that pork or human insulin may be of benefit in the management of these patients.