Comparison of a Twice Daily Versus a Three Times Daily Insulin Regimen in Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Children with type 1 diabetes (DM1) can only be treated with subcutaneous insulin at the present time in Canada. It has been shown that intensive insulin treatment using at least three times daily (TID) insulin injections achieves superior blood glucose control with less long term complications of diabetes than conventional insulin treatment using once daily (OD) or twice daily (BID) insulin injections. However, many patients find it difficult to adhere to TID insulin injections since it is an invasive and painful therapy, which results in frequent insulin omission.

This study is a randomized controlled open-labeled non-inferiority trial to compare the glycemic control as measured by HbA1c after 6 months of a BID insulin regimen using detemir insulin, or the currently used TID insulin with intermediate acting insulin (Novolin NPH or Humulin N). Patients will be randomized to either the active control group (standard TID regimen) or the treatment group (BID regimen with new long acting insulin analogue). A run-in period of 1 month will be used to facilitate the change in insulin regimen. Insulin doses will be adjusted by weekly phone contact with the research nurse for one month prior to baseline blood work. Patients will continue on the same diet and exercise routine as recommended by their usual diabetes team. They will also be seen every 3 months by the research nurse to review blood glucose, assess height and weight and arrange for blood work to be done in conjunction with their routine bloodwork. All patients will continue to be seen by their usual diabetologist, nurse, and dietician at their regularly scheduled clinic visits (every 3 months).

Outcomes include: HA1c between groups at 6 months (surrogate marker of metabolic control for diabetes measured through a venous or capillary blood sample), frequency of adverse events (severe hypoglycemia, mild hypoglycemia, episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis, weight gain), diabetes quality of life for youth (DQOL).

Inclusion criteria

• Children with DM1 6-17 years old that are currently on a TID regimen of insulin with rapid acting insulin and intermediate acting insulin.
• Currently being followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital Diabetes Clinic.
• Duration of diabetes of at least 12 months.

Exclusion criteria

• Children younger than 6 years of age will be excluded since long-acting analogue has not been approved in children younger than 6 years old.
• Children with compromised metabolic control (HA1c greater than 10%).
• Children with other chronic underlying medical conditions that could affect glycemic control i.e. uncontrolled hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, etc.
• Language or psychosocial barrier preventing the family from completing the study.
• Diabetes duration of less than 12 months.
• Participation in other clinical trials with specified clinic visit schedule.
• Patients currently on insulin pump therapy or multiple daily injections of greater than three injections per day.