Efficacy and safety of switching to insulin glulisine from other rapid-acting insulin analogs in children with type 1 diabetes

We investigated the efficacy and safety of switching to insulin glulisine (GLU) from other rapid-acting insulin analogs (Ra) in children with type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily injections of insulin or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. A total of 26 children with type1 diabetes were included. Ra in all of these patients was changed to GLU, and they were observed for a 6-month period after having previously finished treatment with other Ra. The mean glycated hemoglobin value decreased from 7.6 +/- 1.0 to 7.4 +/- 0.9% (P=0.0034), and mean plasma glucose values after breakfast and supper also improved from 183 +/- 50 to 153 +/- 32mg/dL (P=0.0035), and from 203 +/- 29 to 164 +/- 23mg/dL (P<0.0001), respectively. Furthermore, the mean frequency of hypoglycemia was reduced from 7 +/- 6 to 4 +/- 4/month (P=0.0004), while insulin doses and obesity degree were stable with statistically non-significant differences. In conclusion, switching to GLU might be a good treatment option for improving glycemic control in children with type1 diabetes.