The use of a nutritional formula with slow release carbohydrates can reduce the frequency and the depth of the hypoglycemic events in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tatti, Patrizio^a | Masselli, Leonardo^a | di Mauro, Patrizia^a | Pipicelli, Giuseppe^b | Strollo, Felice^c

Affiliations: [a] UOCA di Endocrinologia e Diabetologia, Rome, ASL RMH, Italy. e-mail: [email protected] | [b] UOC di Diabetologia e Metabolismo, Catanzaro (CZ), ASL, Italy | [c] UOC di Endocrinologia, Istituto INRCA, Rome, Italy

Abstract: Hypoglycemia is a frequent and often dramatic event in subjects with type 1 diabetes. It is also probable that an unrecognized nocturnal hypoglycemia may cause a marked variability of the fasting blood glucose. We used a nutritional formula with slow release carbohydrates represented by modified maltodextrins to reduce the risk of these events in 14 type 1 diabetic subjects. The continuous subcutaneous monitoring of interstitial glucose demonstrated a marked reduction in the number and depth of the hypoglycemic episodes throughout the 48 h when the formula was used versus the preceding 48 h.

Keywords: Hypoglycemia, Hypoglycemia prevention, Glucose variability

DOI: 10.3233/s12349-010-0034-7

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 141-145, 2011