Blood hypertension and insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance and endogenous hyperinsulinemia are associated with blood hypertension. Objective: The aim of this analysis is to estimate the prevalence of blood hypertension one year after insulin treatment in type 2 diabetic patients. Material and methods: This is a retrospective clinical study of 178 type 2 diabetic patients (57 men and 121 women) insulin treated since at least one year. Mean age is 62 ± 10 years and mean duration of diabetes is ten years.All patients had a clinical and biological control before treatment with insulin and at least three controls during the first year of insulin treatment (anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C).WHO definition of hypertension is used (blood pressure ≥ 140 / 90 mmHg). Results: At baseline, 48% of patients have hypertension. After insulin treatment, the prevalence of hypertension significantly increase to 53% (94 / 178) three months later (p = 0.008), to 54.5% (98 / 178) six months later (p = 0.001) and to 55.6% (99 / 178) twelve months later.This increase in hypertension frequency is associated with a significant weight gain and a better blood glucose control. Conclusion: Insulin therapy may contribute to the development of blood hypertension. It promotes renal sodium retention and increases sympathetic nervous system activity.In the UKPDS intensive blood glucose control with insulin is not associated with an increase of macro vascular complications.These observational data suggest the need for further study of the relationship between exogenous insulin and hypertension. © 2007. Elsevier Masson SAS.