title: NPH insulin administration by means of a pen injector.
abstract: In an open randomized cross-over study 50 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes were allocated to 3 months of treatment with NPH insulin either by means of a pen injector (Insuject-X) or by conventional syringes. The needle of the NPH pen injector was removed immediately after use to avoid possible leakage of solvent. Ambulatory control was assessed every 6 weeks, including blood sampling (HbA1c and insulin antibodies) and recording of hypoglycaemia. NPH insulin containers were collected for insulin potency measurement by HPLC. A seven-point blood glucose profile was performed fortnightly by means of home blood glucose monitoring. At the end of the 6 months a questionnaire was completed. No significant changes occurred in HbA1c (difference 0.1 +/- 0.7 (SD)%), blood glucose profile, or the incidence of hypoglycaemic episodes on the two regimens. The concentration of NPH insulin in the containers remained constant. All but two of the patients preferred to continue to use the pen injector. This NPH pen injector is a reliable and efficacious tool which may also prove more convenient for the patients.
authors.affiliation: Second University Clinic of Internal Medicine, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flyvbjerg
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Christiansen
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007330:Insulin Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D007336:Insulin, Isophane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007330:Insulin Antibodies; D007336:Insulin, Isophane