ABSTRACT
In the resource-poor areas of the tropics, diabetic patients requiring insulin are often treated with once-daily injections of intermediate-acting insulin. Glycaemic control on this regime is usually poor. We trialled a simple change to twice-daily insulin (same total daily dose, two-thirds given in morning, and one-third in evening) in a group of 20 Ethiopian diabetic patients treated in this way. Nurse support and contact, and self-glucose monitoring were not available. After three months, the haemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) had improved from 10.5 +/- 1.8 to 8.0 +/- 1.5% (P < 0.001). No improvement occurred in the 20 control patients who remained on once-daily insulin. Among the twice-daily insulin group there was a small increase in weight and mild hypoglycaemic episodes. However, all patients were very satisfied and wished to continue the new system. We conclude that a simple change from once- to twice-daily insulin, without monitoring or support, can lead to a significant improvement in the overall glycaemic control, and is suitable for resource-limited tropical countries.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage , Insulin/administration & dosage , Adult , Blood Glucose , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Ethiopia , Female , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use , Insulin/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Poverty , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
Measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is vital to provide meaningful diabetic care, but the assay is difficult and expensive, making its availability limited in resource-poor countries. We have field-tested a novel near-patient HbA1c meter (Glycosal; Provalis Diagnostics Ltd, UK) in northern Ethiopia. The machine was easy to use and gave results which correlated well (r = -0.96) with standard laboratory methods. The meter also performed well and retained accuracy at high ambient temperature (34.0 degrees C). Though still relatively expensive (pound 4 per test), this meter does give the opportunity for practical and appropriate HbA1c testing in tropical climes, and should be considered for at least intermittent use in diabetic patients.