Study: Cutting Insulin Ups Mortality Risk

Boston -- U.S. medical researchers have found women with type 1 diabetes who take less insulin than prescribed face a three-fold increased risk of death.

The study by researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center also determined such women have higher rates of disease complications than those who do not skip needed insulin shots.

The 11-year follow-up study of 234 women concluded mortality associated with the behavior appears to occur in the context of eating disorder symptoms often exhibited in women with diabetes -- sometimes referred to as "diabulimia."

The researchers said their findings are the first to show an increased risk of mortality, as well as higher rates of kidney and foot problems, in those who restrict their insulin intake. In addition, the average age of death was younger for those involved in insulin restriction -- 45 years of age as compared with 58 years for those who did not restrict.

The study's lead author, psychologist Ann Goebel-Fabbri, said the findings strongly suggest insulin restriction and related eating disorder behaviors might be unique barriers to achieving optimal diabetes management.

The research is reported in the March issue of the journal Diabetes Care.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.