Effects of meal carbohydrate content on insulin requirements in type 1 diabetic patients treated intensively with the basal-bolus (ultralente-regular) insulin regimen.

Abstract

These results indicate that in type 1 diabetic subjects 1) increasing the amount of carbohydrate intake does not influence glycemic control if premeal regular insulin is adjusted to the carbohydrate content of the meals; 2) algorithms based on U/10 g of carbohydrate are effective and safe, whatever the amount of carbohydrate in the meal; 3) the glycemic index, fiber, and lipidic and caloric content of the meals do not affect premeal regular insulin requirements; 4) wide variations in carbohydrate intake do not modify basal (ultralente) insulin requirements; and, finally 5) the ultralente-regular insulin regimen allows dissection between basal and prandial insulin requirements, so that each can be adjusted accurately and independently.