Isophane Protamine Human Insulin(Novo Nordisk A/S)

Despite a significant problem with out-of-control glucose levels in patients with diabetes receiving corticosteroids for a variety of illnesses, there are no published protocols addressing how to adequately treat corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia. Investigators propose to test a protocol using scheduled dosing of NPH (Neutral protamine Hagedorn) insulin for inpatients with diabetes receiving corticosteroids. NPH insulin action is ideally timed to counteract corticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia, and the dose is added to the patient's usual insulin regimen and timed to correspond to the corticosteroid dosing regimen. Investigators will prospectively enroll eligible consented patients with diabetes who are receiving corticosteroids as part of their treatment in a large county hospital, will randomize them to intervention or control groups, and will monitor their glucose levels during their inpatient stay. The protocol will demonstrate improved control of glucose levels with minimal risk of hypoglycemia, and will provide a practical and readily implementable protocol using NPH insulin as therapy for corticosteroid-induced diabetes.

Volunteers are being invited to take part in a research study about insulin therapy of diabetes. They are being invited to take part in this research study because they have diabetes and have an illness requiring hospitalization. If they volunteer to take part in this study, they will be one of about 120 people to do so. The investigators hope to answer the following research questions:
To show that insulin aspart protamine 70/30 mix taken twice daily is as good as insulin NPH/Reg 70/30 mix taken twice a day for treatment of diabetes after discharge from the hospital.
To show how safe the two medicines are (insulin aspart 70/30 mix vs. insulin NPH/Reg 70/30 mix) and how well they work for the treatment of diabetes when transitioning from inpatient therapy to outpatient care.