An Analysis of Different Treatment Options for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Authors

Ariella Shifteh

Abstract

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is a highly dangerous autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes is most commonly seen in children and young adults as pancreatic Beta (B) cell destruction is highest at this age. Patients with Type 1 Diabetes are required to take insulin injections to compensate for their lack of insulin, but many patients still have episodes of hyperglycemia. This paper analyzes and compares the effectiveness of different treatment options. The standard approach is to prescribe insulin injections, but this analysis finds insulin injections in conjunction with oral medications such as Metformin and Sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT) inhibitors has a positive effect on patient health. Metformin in addition to insulin therapy decreased metabolic syndrome. SGLT inhibitors decreased blood glucose levels in patients and have an increased efficacy to prevent hyperglycemia. If a patient were unable to take oral medications, rapid acting insulin aspart decreases blood glucose levels effectively compared to human insulin. Additionally, long acting insulin proved more efficient in reducing blood glucose levels than intermediate acting insulin. Extensive research is being conducted by different pharmaceutical companies for a potential cure. The first clinical trial using stem cells has shown positive results for the patients as they could now go days without taking insulin. More research is needed; however, insulin therapies can be adjusted to each patient to provide the most beneficial results, and insulin therapy alone no longer is needed to be the first and only choice as the other options appear to provide beneficial results.

Recommended Citation

Ariella Shifteh. (2022). An Analysis of Different Treatment Options for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, 16(1), 20-25. Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/sjlcas/vol16/iss1/4