History of Insulin Treatment in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes in Japan.

Abstract

For the increasing number of type 1 diabetes in Japan, after 1960, a greater supply of insulin was required, accordingly the availability of insulin gradually improved, The National Health Insurance approved self-injections of insulin at home in 1981. Afterwards, intensive insulin treatment with short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin became widely used. Recombinant rapid-acting insulin analog was introduced in 1986 and long-acting insulin analog was introduced in 2003. In recent years, basal-bolus insulin regimens using these insulin analogs have become popular in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Japan, which can improve the metabolic state and quality of life. This also will contribute to prevent the occurrence and progression of micro- and macro-vascular complications later in life.