380 patients in the Lancet trial were later managed with the standard diet and exercise regime.Diabetes UK said the approach may be useful for some patients.A second study also published in The Lancet found taking part in diet and exercise programmes for six years can prevent or delay diabetes for up to 14 years.There are 2.Diabetes in the UK, the vast majority of whom have type 2 diabetes - where the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced does not work properly.THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CONSIDERING USING INSULIN EARLY WHEN PEOPLE ARE FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MIGHT BE AN ADDITIONAL WAY TO ACHIEVE GOOD DIABETES MANAGEMENT Pav Pank, Diabetes UK Normal management of the condition includes making lifestyle changes, with the addition of medication as necessary.However, previous research has suggested that initial intensive therapy to get blood sugar levels under control could change or delay the natural course of the disease.TREATMENT BOOST Patients aged 25 to 70 taking part in the trial were given an infusion of insulin, daily insulin injections or oral anti-diabetic tablets.The treatment was only given for two weeks after normal blood glucose levels were achieved.Most of those given insulin were able to meet blood glucose targets in four to five dayspared with nine days in those given oral drugs.After a year, 51% of patients given an insulin infusion and 45% of those given insulin injections had maintained their good blood glucose levels by sticking to a diet and exercise programme.But only 27% of those who had initially been treated with oral drugs still had good blood glucose control.The researchers reported that the early insulin treatment seemed to have restored the function of insulin-producing beta cells in the body.Tests showed the cells had a better response to insulin after treatment and the effect was sustained after a year.Study leader, Professor Jianping Weng, said good diabetes control, especially early intensive blood sugar control, can eliminate the damage caused by high blood sugar levels and rescue injured beta-cells.Pav Pank, care advisor at Diabetes UK, said achieving good diabetes control is key to diabetes management and also helps prevent people with the condition from developing life-threateningplications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, amputation and blindness."The research shows that considering using insulin early when people are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes might be an additional way to achieve good diabetes management."Nevertheless decisions about treatment need to be made on an individual basis for each patient.Professor Rury Holman, head of the Diabetes Trial Unit at Oxford University, said the research was "important" but more information was needed on different measures of diabetes control before a change in practice could be advocated.WITH: SEE ALSO 07 May 08 Health 18 Apr 08 Health 25 Feb 08 Health 11 Jan 08 Health 25 Oct 07 Health RELATED INTERNET LINKS The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites E-MAILED READ WATCHED/LISTENED FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS Band member David Marks tells of his fight with hepatitis Inquest evidence highlights aircraft design faults Why a brisk stroll could be just what the doctor ordered EXPLORE THE BBC POPULAR LINKS BBC LINKS A TO F BBC LINKS H TO L BBC LINKS M TO SC BBC LINKS SP TO W SITE LINKS BBC LINKS MMVIII The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.THIS PAGE IS BEST VIEWED IN AN UP-TO-DATE WEB BROWSER WITH STYLE SHEETS (CSS) ENABLED.Read more Aspirin may offer nsclc chemoprevention for women
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