Abstract

Background:to estimate the effect of intensive insulin therapy on metabolic control and quality of life. Patients and methods: 50 patients with type I diabetes with duration of diabetes from 1 to 25 years using pen injectors were recruited to our study. The quality of life was estimated with the use of questionnaires. Glycaemic control (fructosamine and HbA1c) was monitored every three months
Results: fructosamine and HbA1c values significantly decreased from 4.5 mmol/l and 9.9% before intensive insulin treatment to 3.5 mmol/l (p < 0.05) and 8.3% (p < 0.05) after first 6 months and to 2.8 mmol/l (p < 0.05) and 7.3% (p < 0.05) after next 3 months. According to the patients' opinion their quality of life improved significantly. Conclusions: patients on intensive insulin therapy present a better metabolic control and report a better quality of life in comparison with patients treated conventionally.

Keywords: type I diabetes, intensive insulin therapy, Quality of Life