Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: insulin analogue mix 50, a potential role in reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD Postprandial hyperglycaemia is becoming topical, with studies suggesting a link to cardiovascular disease. Recently, a number of new therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes have become available. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW This review looks at the evidence for the potential role of insulin analogue mix 50 to reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular disease. SEARCH STRATEGY Medline and Embase databases were searched using the MeSH terms to identify relevant studies from 1980 to 2009. Both original articles and reviews were extracted. Published reference lists were also examined. MeSH terms used for literature searching human insulins, insulin analogues, insulin analogue mix 50, glycaemia, postprandial glucose, fasting glucose, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN The reader is presented with evidence discussing the importance of postprandial hyperglycaemia and studies comparing different insulin regimes and in particular insulin analogue mix 50 and its potential to reduce postprandial glucose surges and reduce cardiovascular disease. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE Insulin analogue mix 50 is a viable therapeutic option in a sub-group of patients with type 2 diabetes.