Type 1 diabetes results from a defect in insulin secretion, leading to elevated levels of plasma sugar or glucose and disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Complications may effect the eyes, kidneys, nerves and the cardiovascular system. Type 1 diabetes may occur at any age and it is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood and adolescence. Type 1 diabetes impacts heavily on the lifestyle of the individual as well as their families. Since there is no cure or prevention for type 1 diabetes, life-long insulin replacement and monitoring of blood glucose levels are required. It is vital that effective insulin therapy regimes are available for optimal management and to minimise blood glucose fluctuation (known as too low or too high blood sugar levels - hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia).
Insulin therapy may be in the form of 'conventional' therapy of multiple (typically four) injections per day or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion involves attachment (via catheter on the outside of the body) to an insulin pump that is programmed to deliver insulin to match the individual's needs, and doses are activated by the individual to cover meals and correct blood glucose fluctuation. Here we explore whether continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion is better than three or more insulin injections per day for good management of type 1 diabetes.
Twenty three studies randomised 976 participants with type 1 diabetes to either continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or multiple injections. Seven of the 23 studies were performed in participants under 18 years of age and the remainder were performed in adults. Study duration ranged from six days to four years. The body of evidence suggests that continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion may be better than multiple injections for glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes; continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion appears to provide no benefit for reducing non-severe hypoglycaemic events. Future studies need to consider the short and long term adverse effects, mortality, morbidity and costs of these interventions.