Issue 13, Nov 2009
2. Start Insulin First to Treat Type 2 Diabetes : New research

     It was observed from a new study that introducing insulin at the onset of diabetes treatment itself gives high treatment satisfaction. Currently most of the doctors prefer exercise and weight loss for the newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients and if medication is needed the patient is given the drug metformin and variety of other hypoglycaemic agents.

     Dr. Ildiko Lingvay (Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Texas's South-western Medical Centre) conducted a study with 58 newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients ranging in age from 21 to 70 years old. For the first three weeks all were given treatment with insulin and metformin. After the three weeks, they were divided with one group given a traditional first line treatment and the second group given insulin and metformin.

     The results of the study showed that the insulin group had fewer hypoglycaemic events, gained less weight and reported high treatment satisfaction.

     Many T2 diabetes patients are scared to take daily insulin injections and they believe that insulin causes them to eat more and gain a lot of weight. Advances in the monitoring of blood sugar levels and in the insulin delivery methods have made things easier for patients who must inject insulin. It also helps them to adjust the dose of insulin to their particular blood sugar levels and metabolism and thus reduce the need to eat constantly and stops weight gain.

     According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 3.8 million people worldwide die from diabetes and related illnesses annually. Currently India has the most diabetics at 40.9 million followed by China with 39.8 million

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