Comparison of blood glucose profile and glycemic control in type 1 diabetic patients treated with Actrapid-Monotard or Actrapid Protaphane (NPH) human insulins.

The aim of this study is to compare the blood glucose profile and the glycemic control in Type 1 diabetic patients under two conventional semi-synthetic human insulin regimens (2 daily injections) combining regular (Actrapid) and intermediate acting insulins (Monotard or Protaphane). Actrapid-Monotard (scheme A) and Actrapid-Protaphane (scheme B) were administered during 3 months each, in a randomized order, to 18 outpatients. The glycemic control was evaluated by home glucose monitoring, as well as by the monthly measurements of HbA1. The total daily dose of insulin was comparable during each treatment period: 0.68 +/- 0.06 (scheme A) and 0.71 +/- 0.06 U/kg body wt. (scheme B) (mean +/- SEM). However, the total percentage of regular insulin was higher with Monotard than with Protaphane: 58 +/- 3 vs 48 +/- 5% in the morning (p less than 0.005) and 51 +/- 2 vs 46 +/- 3% in the evening (p less than 0.05). In C-peptide positive patients, the blood glucose values were comparable at all times with either insulin scheme. In contrast, in C-peptide negative patients, the blood glucose levels were higher in the afternoon with scheme B: 11.8 +/- 1 vs 8.6 +/- 1 mmol/l at 3 pm (p less than 0.02) and 12.2 +/- 1.3 vs 9.7 +/- 1.6 mmol/l at 6 pm (p less than 0.01). A slight but not significative increase of HbA1 was observed during the B period. In conclusion, an Actrapid-Protaphane scheme requires the use of a lower proportion of regular insulin than an Actrapid-Monotard treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)