A Late Night Snack May be Necessary to Prevent Nocturnal Hyperglycemia in Type 1-diabetic Patients Using Insulin Glargine (LANTUS)

The order of studies (with and without a late night snack) was determined by randomization. Study-related procedures started at 6 p.m. (standard blood glucose profiles with determinations at 6, 8, and 10 p.m, at midnight, at 2, 4, 6:45, 8:45 a.m., and at noon and 2, 6, and 8 p.m. of the following day). At 10 p.m. a late night snack (one slice of whole meal rye bread containing approximately 20 g of carbohydrate) was eaten or no nutrients were consumed, as determined by the randomization protocol. After one day without study-related activities, the study was repeated with the complementary protocol (crossover design). Patients were instructed to use fast-acting insulin to correct hyperglycemia three times per day (before major meals) or to take in additional carbohydrate when symptomatic or chemical hypoglycemia was noted. They were asked not to perform strenuous exercise beyond their normal daily activities.