[Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2: lower HbA1c-values and a high level of patient satisfaction]. / Continue subcutane insuline-infusie bij diabetes mellitus type 1 en 2: lagere HbA1c-waarden en grote patiëntentevredenheid.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the HbA1c-values and the degree of satisfaction of patients who had switched from multiple subcutaneous insulin injections to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). DESIGN: Retrospective. METHOD: Data were collected and evaluated from all patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus who started treatment with CSII in the period from 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001 in the Rijnmond-Zuid Medical Centre, Zuider site, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The data included the insulin dosage and HbA1c-percentages before and three months after the start of CSII, and the degree of satisfaction of the patients on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (good). RESULTS: Of the 57 patients who started CSII, two resumed multiple daily subcutaneous injections within a few months. Of the other 55 patients, 36 (including 15 men) had type-1 diabetes, with an average age of 36.1 years, and 19 (including 8 men) had type-2 diabetes, with an average age of 49.7 years. Poor regulation of the blood glucose levels was the main reason (n = 40; 73%) for switching to CSII. In the 36 patients with type-1 diabetes, there was no significant change in the total dose of insulin before and during CSII, while the mean HbA1c-level decreased from 8.2 (SD: 1.2) to 7.3% (SD: 1.0; p = 0.0005). In the 19 patients with type-2 diabetes, there was also no significant change in insulin dosage, while the HbA1c-level decreased from 8.1 (SD: 1.0) to 7.6% (SD: 1.1; p = 0.056). All 47 interviewed patients were satisfied with the treatment. The mean score was 8.3 in type-1 diabetes mellitus and 8.1 in type-2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Following three months on CSII, the average HbA1c-percentages were lower than during the previous treatment with multiple subcutaneous insulin injections. The patients were satisfied with the convenience of the treatment.

Long term results of pneumatic dilation in achalasia followed for more than 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the long term therapeutic outcome in achalasia patients treated with pneumatic dilation, specifically focusing on those patients treated more than 15 yr ago. METHODS: All patients treated in our center whose records were available for review were asked to fill out a questionnaire assessing their degree of dysphagia, retrosternal pain, regurgitation, weight loss, and coughing during the night. The number of dilations was collected from the clinical records. The results of the treatment were classified into four different classes (excellent, good, moderate, poor). For those patients who had died, the cause of death was ascertained from the medical records or from the general practitioner. RESULTS: The questionnaires were distributed to 249 patients, 32 of whom had died. Of the 125 patients who completed the questionnaire, 81 (45 male and 36 female) were treated more than 5 yr ago. The mean follow-up was 12+/-1 yr. The therapeutic success rate was 50%, obtained after a median of four dilations (interquartile range = 3-6). Of this cohort, 25 patients (18 male and seven female, aged 35-84 yr) were treated more than 15 yr ago (mean follow-up = 20.5+/-0.5 yr). The median number of dilations was four (interquartile range = 3-7), with a therapeutic success rate of 40%. Two patients experienced a perforation, and seven were referred for surgery. Six patients out of 32 (19%) died of esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The long term success rate of pneumatic dilation is rather low, resulting in permanent successful treatment of achalasia in only 40-50% of patients. Achalasia is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.