Insulin Restriction Increases Mortality
By MedHeadlines • Feb 29th, 2008 • Category: Diabetes, Drugs, Prevention, Women's HealthNew research appearing in the March edition of Diabetes Care shows an increase in mortality among women who are restricting their insulin use who have Type I diabetes.
The researchers followed 234 women over 11 years and their study is the first to show an increase in mortality and kidney and foot problems among women who were restricting their insulin intakes. Women who were restricting their intakes showed nearly a three-fold increase in the mortality rate and a higher incidence of disease complications.
The insulin restricting women showed an increase in related eating disorders at the onset of the study than the women who were maintaining the prescribed dosages of insulin in the study. Some of the common associated eating disorders that are associated with women with Type I diabetes are body image discrepancy, restrictive eating, binge eating and purging following eating.
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to no longer be able to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is present within the body that converts calories to energy and stores them in the body for use. Type I diabetes patients are prescribed insulin to help regulate their body’s ability to maintain glucose levels that are close to normal.
The study’s goal is to raise awareness regarding a woman’s mental state so that treatment can be offered for women who are suffering from eating disorders and reduced insulin intakes.
Source: Joslin Diabetes Center
