Insulin treatment in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, both in developed as well as in developing countries. The eyes, kidneys, and cardiovascular and neurological systems are predominantly affected by this chronic disease, leading to loss of employment and sometimes life. The most common setting is uncontrolled glycaemia after dietary restriction, exercise and oral hypoglycaemic drug therapy. Insulin may be needed for treating NIDDM some time during the course of the disease. Insulin therapy results in improved beta-cell function, a decrease in the hepatic glucose output and an improvement of the lipoprotein profile. Some of these beneficial effects are due to nullification of 'glucose toxicity'. Objective evidence of a link between tight metabolic control and chronic complications of NIDDM is still not established, despite the results of recent trials. Many insulin regimes have been tried. Recently, attention has been focused on combination therapy with sulphonylureas and insulin, using long-acting insulin at bedtime only. This regime improves the glycaemic profile (due to a reduction of hepatic glucose output), using lower doses of insulin and sulphonylureas. However, experience with this regime suggests that it is only suitable for a subset of NIDDM patients. Adverse effects of insulin therapy include weight gain and hypoglycaemia, which can usually be easily managed. It is hyperinsulinaemia, with its complex array of adverse metabolic effects, that has recently concerned physicians. Acceleration of atherosclerosis, hypertension and worsening of the lipoprotein profile have been cited as possible adverse effects. The presence of such dysregulation is included in the recently described syndrome X.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)