Clinical response and patient acceptance of a prefilled, disposable insulin pen injector for insulin-treated diabetes.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical response and patient acceptance of a prefilled, disposable insulin pen injector (Novolet, Novo-Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) for treating insulin-dependent diabetic patients.


METHODS
After a run-in period of six weeks, 19 patients participated in an open, randomized, controlled, crossover study with two 12-week periods using insulin pens or conventional syringes. Clinical responses were assessed every 12 weeks, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), seven-point blood glucose profiles and hypoglycemic reactions. At the end of the trial, patients completed questionnaires about their acceptance of the insulin delivery device.


RESULTS
Neither of the regimens rendered significant changes in HbA1c, blood glucose profiles or hypoglycemic episodes. Most of the study subjects reported that the prefilled, disposable devices were convenient and easy to use, and many of them wished to continue using the device for insulin delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical response was the same for both treatment regimens, but most subjects preferred the prefilled disposable pen injector for insulin delivery because it was more convenient for daily use.
Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
H S
HS
Chen
C M
CM
Hwu
C F
CF
Kwok
H J
HJ
Yang
K C
KC
Shih
B J
BJ
Lin
L T
LT
Ho
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care
D007328:Insulin