Long-term intensive insulin therapy for Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of long-term intensive insulin therapy in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients and Methods: Various clinical indicators and potential of withdrawal from insulin therapy were investigated in 20 type 2 diabetic patients receiving treatment in the outpatient clinic over a period of 8 years after starting intensive insulin therapy between April 1997 and March 1999. Results: The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was approximately 6.5%, and there was no significant increase in insulin dose over a period of 8 years after commencement of intensive insulin therapy. Withdrawal from insulin therapy could be sustained in previously untreated patients. Conclusion: Our results indicated the clinical usefulness of intensive insulin therapy over the long term in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and that such therapy could be especially useful for previously untreated patients. © 2008 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.