Insulin: An evolving paradigm in diabetes management

Abstract

Insulin therapy is vital for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, and is increasingly being used in type 2 diabetes. Danny D Meetoo describes the aims of insulin therapy and methods of insulin delivery The global incidence of diabetes mellitus has reached an alarming epidemic proportion. Of this large proportion, 5–10% are affected by type 1 diabetes while the remaining 90% have type 2 diabetes. Insulin therapy is vital in the former category, while this therapeutic mode is often included at a stage of the latter category to prevent respective hyperglycaemia and related micro and macrovascular complications. The modern prefilled and re-usable pen devices used as insulin delivery systems hold many advantages over the conventional approach, which was often associated with dosage errors. The ease and flexibility offered by pen devices into a busy lifestyle aims to improve diabetes management with much less effort and without affecting people's quality of life. Despite the promise of future developments in insulin delivery, serious consideration should always be given to cost implications in the management of diabetes.