Abstract

PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF INSULIN, FREQUENCY OF HYPOGLYCAEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE-A SHORT TERM PILOT STUDY.

*Dr. Bezawada Shravani, Dr. Anuradha HV, Dr. Pramila Kalra.

ABSTRACT

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterised by prolonged hyperglycaemia due to inadequate insulin secretion or defective insulin action or both. Oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs) and insulin are treatment of choice for DM. Hypoglycaemia in diabetes is defined as blood glucose < 54 mg/dl (3.0 mmol/L), while the glucose alert value is defined as < 70 mg/dl (3.9 mmol/L) presenting as giddiness, sweating and shivering. Aim and objectives: To study the prescription pattern of insulin and frequency of hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients and its incidence with different types of insulin. Methods: A cross sectional study was done over a period of 2 months on 30 diabetic patients (type1 & 2) >18yrs of age, who were on insulin regularly and willing to participate with written informed consent. Patients receiving single or multiple injections of insulins with/without OHA’s were assessed. Overall the number of patients having symptomatic hypoglycaemia and its frequency with single or multiple injections of insulins were assessed. Results: Out of 30 diabetic patients included in the study, 60% of patients were prescribed with single insulin therapy and 40% with multiple insulins. Seventy two percent of patients prescribed with single insulin were taking inj. premix 30/70. The most commonly prescribed insulin in combination therapy were that of isophane and regular insulins and least with combination of Glargine and regular insulins. Overall 67% of the patients presented with mild hypoglycaemic symptoms and were treated at home accordingly. Conclusion: Multiple preparations and combinations of insulins are being prescribed in DM patients. Conventional insulins show more hypoglycaemia as compared to insulin analogues.

Keywords: Prescription, Insulin, Diabetes, Hypoglycaemia.