Better postprandial glucose stability during continuous subcutaneous infusion with insulin aspart compared with insulin lispro in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Persistent glucose variability is a frequent condition in type 1 diabetes. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is a rational option to overcome this clinical issue; however, no comparative studies have been reported for aspart and lispro insulin when used in CSII. This study compare the effects of aspart and lispro delivered by CSII on glycemic stability as measured using a continuous glucose monitoring system. Methods: This single-center, randomized, controlled, 3-day crossover trial included 17 patients with type 1 diabetes. Patients were randomized to receive insulin aspart or insulin lispro. The next day, they received a standard meal at breakfast and lunch and a bolus of insulin aspart or lispro based on insulin:carbohydrate ratio. Patients were monitored for 8 h, after which they received a crossover treatment with insulin aspart or insulin lispro followed by the same procedure as previously. Results: Postprandial blood glucose was more stable with insulin aspart than insulin lispro (absolute Δglucose 7.04 ± 3.16 vs. 9.04 ± 4.2, P < 0.0019). Daily blood glucose variability profiles (coefficient of variation and mean amplitude of glucose excursion) and frequency of hypoglycemic episodes (area under the curve <72 mg/dL) were similar with both treatments. Conclusions: Postprandial glucose was more stable when insulin aspart was infused as a pre-meal bolus compared with insulin lispro, indicating a more favorable effect of insulin aspart on postprandial glucose. No differences in overall daily glucose stability were observed between insulin aspart and insulin lispro when infused as basal rate insulin. © 2008 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.