Comparison of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and multiple daily insulin injections in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To investigate prospectively the insulin dose requirements of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with either multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy during a 2-week therapeutic intervention. Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly assigned to MDI or CSII therapy. The effects of the two treatment methods were determined based on blood glucose parameters, total daily insulin dose and rates of hypoglycaemia. Results: A total of 609 patients were enrolled in the study. Glycaemic goals were achieved after a mean +/- SD of 6.90 +/- 2.10 and 5.44 +/- 2.22 days' treatment in the MDI and CSII groups, respectively. Once stabilized, the mean +/- SD total daily insulin doses were 37.12 +/- 10.19 IU and 32.58 +/- 8.78 IU for the MDI and CSII groups, respectively. Once stabilized, the mean +/- SD total basal and bolus doses were 19.46 +/- 7.95 IU/day and 17.66 +/- 3.53 IU/day for the MDI group, and 22.79 +/- 7.55 IU/ day and 9.81 +/- 2.64 IU/day for the CSII group, respectively. There were significant differences in the total, basal and bolus insulin doses between the two groups. Conclusion: CSII therapy may be considered as an effective method to achieve good glycaemic control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.