Treating people with type 2 diabetes with insulin therapy to be injected only once a week is as safe and effective as daily insulin injections.
To confirm the hopes of many patients are two international clinical studies published online in Diabetes Care, which also involved Italy.
Insulin, which has been the foundation of diabetes treatment for 100 years, is an effective agent for lowering blood sugar and is safe when used at the correct dose. But initiating and maintaining insulin treatment remains a challenge for millions of patients worldwide with type 2 diabetes. The burden of injectable therapy helps reduce adherence to treatment, with health consequences.
"For this reason - says Ildiko Lingvay, professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern and principal author of both studies - a weekly insulin could also be a turning point for improving compliance with doctor's prescriptions". The first work involved 205 patients from 7 countries (United States, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Spain) and demonstrated the substantial efficacy and safety of weekly therapy. The second included 154 patients from 5 countries (United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany and Italy) to evaluate the best ways to switch from a daily to a weekly regimen. "A once a week insulin administration - concludes Lingvay - facilitates treatment and reduces the burden even for healthcare professionals who care for patients, especially those living in long-term care facilities and those with memory problems. ". (ANSA).