Effect of BMI, insulin dose and number of injections on glycaemic control in insulin-using diabetic patients. Studygroup Diabetes Rijnmond (SDR).

BACKGROUND

Strict glucose control is essential to the prevention of diabetic complications. The level of glycaemic control in insulin-treated patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in a routine clinical setting is not known.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional survey comprising 8 hospitals in the Rijnmond area, The Netherlands, age, body mass index (BMI), insulin dose, number of injections, and HbA1c were scored in 712 patients with insulin-dependent DM (IDDM) and 462 patients with non-insulin-dependent DM (NIDDM).

RESULTS

In IDDM and NIDDM patients, respectively, age (mean +/- SD) was 40 +/- 17 and 65 +/- 12 years, BMI was 24.1 +/- 3.5 and 27.3 +/- 4.1 kg/m2, daily insulin dose was 49 +/- 18 and 44 +/- 18 U (P < 0.001). Intensive therapy (> or = 4 injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion) was used in 59% of IDDM and 13% of NIDDM patients. HbA1c below the upper normal limit was achieved in 11% of the patients, and within 20% above the upper normal limit in 37%. Obesity was positively associated with HbA1c in NIDDM patients (P < 0.01). A higher insulin dose was associated with higher HbA1c in both IDDM and NIDDM patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Good glycaemic control was established in 37% of our patients. Intensive insulin treatment and higher insulin dose did not improve glucose regulation. Obesity is a risk factor for poor glycaemic control.