Insulin dose adjustments for meals differing in fat content in T1DM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The influence of rapid-acting insulin dose adjustments on glycaemic and lipaemic parameters following mixed meals in type 1 diabetes mellitus
IRAS ID
161414
Contact name
Daniel J West
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
People with Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) are usually provided guidance on how best to control glycaemia around meal times through adjusting their rapid-acting insulin dose according to the carbohydrate content of the meal (e.g. 1 IU per 10/15 g of carbohydrate; Schmidt et al., 2014). However, a potential issue around this method is the role of dietary fat in the calculation of insulin requirements (Wolpert et al., 2013). The fat component of the meal has the potential to influence the insulin dose requirement to normalise postprandial glycaemia (Wolpert et al., 2013). Although normalising postprandial glycaemia is vital, postprandial lipaemia is also an important consideration for long-term health, and at present there is scant data in this area in T1DM.
This research will examine the glycaemic and lipaemic responses after consuming a mixed meal similar in carbohydrate content, but differing in fat content. Moreover, this research will assess whether acute postprandial reductions in insulin sensitivity can be offset through increasing the dose of rapid-acting insulin for such meals. Venous blood samples will be collected before and for 6 hours after meals, for the determination of glycaemic and lipaemic responses, as well as metabolite and hormonal parameters.
The findings from this study will benefit patients with type 1 diabetes by the provision of more refined self-management strategies for insulin dosage around meal-times.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1183
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion