title: Usage and perceptions of pen injectors for diabetes management: a survey of type 2 diabetes patients in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to investigate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patient perceptions of their pen injectors and determine which features were deemed most important to overall satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frost & Sullivan conducted a Web-based survey of T2DM patients in the United States in November 2010. Survey participants were initially screened prior to full participation. A total of 1002 adult T2DM patients who were using a pen injector on a regular basis to administer their diabetes medication(s) were surveyed. The survey consisted of 24 questions focused on awareness and current usage of pen injectors by type and brand, specific features of pen injectors, and patients' preferences for and satisfaction with pen injectors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of surveyed patients were using prefilled pen injectors as compared with durable pens. The LANTUS SoloSTAR (sanofi-aventis) was reported to be the most commonly used pen. The LANTUS SoloSTAR was also ranked highly for overall satisfaction and likelihood of continued usage. Regardless of brand, most surveyed patients reported that they were likely to continue using their current pen. In general, the single most important feature for user satisfaction was an easy push-button injection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ease of self-administration is of highest priority to users of pen injectors. Important features facilitating ease of use, such as an easily depressed push-button injection, are likely to minimize the burden on T2DM patients, thereby improving compliance and clinical outcomes.
authors: Frost & Sullivan, New York, New York 10004, USA. deborah.toscano@frost.com
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Toscano
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Brice
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Alfaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D012646:Self Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents