Treatment of type 1 diabetes using a pen-style delivery system and a preparation combining short- and intermediate-acting insulin.

A patient with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes) was admitted to hospital after complaining of general fatigue and weight loss. To control hyperglycaemia, the patient was given a conventional form of insulin subcutaneously twice daily. Although this conventional insulin replacement therapy effectively controlled the symptoms, it did not improve the metabolic state and eventually the patient was re-admitted due to a worsening of his condition. The patient was then given a new preparation of both short- and intermediate-acting forms of insulin, administered twice daily using a new, 'dial-a-dose' pen delivery system. Comparative studies of blood insulin dynamics revealed that this new method of delivery resulted in a circadian blood glucose pattern closely approximating normal levels, the complete elimination of subjective symptoms and the normalization of basal insulin secretory patterns. The clear superiority of the new delivery system and the combination insulins in relation to the quality of life of this patient is demonstrated.