The authors acknowledge that there may be several factors associated with these results, as the older age of patients who had more health problems and who may have had diabetes for longer.
It also mentions a possible link between insulin use and progression of cancer, which was found in a previous study.
Insulin Injection
The increased risk was found among those who control the disease with insulin only.
“We need to study further whether intensification of glucose control with insulin therapy alone increases the risk of death in patients with diabetes,” says Dr. Craig Currie, who led the research.
“We found that the average values of high and low levels of HbA1c were associated with an increase in the general cause of mortality and cardiac events.
“If this is confirmed, the diabetes treatment guidelines need to be revised and include a minimum of HbA1c value,” says the researcher.
Other experts argue, however, these findings need to be confirmed and the patients taking insulin should not stop their treatment.
“It is not clear what the causes of death in patients studied,” said Dr Iain Frame, research manager of the organization Diabetes UK.
“As to the suggestion that insulin may increase the risk of death, it is necessary to consider important factors such as age, duration of diabetes and how patients control their disease.”
“Although some people can manage their disease for a time with a regimen of diet, exercise and even tablets, many eventually must include insulin in their treatment.”
“Our recommendation is that people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin that does not leave your medications. And if you’re concerned about their glucose levels, to consult with your doctor that concern,” says expert
