Endocrine Abstracts

Insulin pump is one of the treatment options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. In July 2008, NICE has issued Technological Appraisal (TA 151) regarding insulin pump therapy guidance.

Objective of the audit: To measure current practice in Colchester General Hospital in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion – CSII (insulin pump) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus against the recommendations in the technological appraisal (TA 151).

Methodology: Review of patients’ notes.

Summary of findings: • Mean age of the patients is 43.1 (range 18–73) years.

• 27 females and 14 males patients are on CSII.

• The average duration of diabetes in these 41 patients is 25.7 (range 5–47) years.

• The average duration on CSII is 3.15 (range 1–7) years.

•Reason for starting on CSII – 25 patients with hyperglycaemia, 12 patients with hypoglycaemia and four patients with both reasons.

•CSII was initiated in all patients (100%) by a trained specialist team.

•The specialist team provided structured education programme and advice on diet, lifestyle and exercise appropriate for people using CSII in all patients (100%).

•27 patients (66%) have improved glycaemic control (>0.5% HbA1c reduction) 1 year after CSII.

•Six patients (43%) out of 14 patients assessed have reduced number of hypoglycaemia or improved in hypoglycaemia awareness.

•Twenty patients (49%) have lost weight 1 year after CSII.

Conclusion: Overall, the current practice in Colchester General Hospital in CSII therapy (insulin pump) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus is in line with the recommendations set by NICE’s TA 151.