Objective: To compare continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy with multiple daily insulin (MDI) therapy on metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) over the long term.
Methods: Fifty-two T1DM patients treated with CSII and monitored for at least one year prior to and at least five years following CSII were included. Thirty-eight age and sex-matched MDI controls with a 5-year follow up were recruited.
Results: Mean age of the subjects, duration of diabetes and CSII therapy were 17.0±4.8 years, 10.7±2.8 years and 7.7±1.5 years respectively. Mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the year prior to CSII, during the first year of treatment and after 5 years of CSII were 7.3±1% (56 mmol/mol), 7.0±0.7% (53 mmol/mol) and 7.8±1.3% (62 mmol/mol) respectively. Initial and 5-year mean HbA1C levels of controls were 7.9±1.08% and 8.6±1.8%. Mean HbA1c values were significantly lower in those receiving CSII therapy throughout follow-up. Basal and total insulin doses were significantly lower in the CSII group at all times. HbA1c was compared between subjects by age (0-5, 6-11 and 12-18 years) with no significant difference between them.
Conclusion: Although CSII mean HbA1c values exceeded accepted good metabolic control limits after 5 years, CSII produces better HbA1c control at all times and in all age groups compared to MDI.
Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump therapy; multiple daily insulin therapy; HbA1c.