title: Usability and preference assessment of a new prefilled insulin pen versus vial and syringe in people with diabetes, physicians and nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This multicenter, crossover study assessed the preference and usability of a new prefilled insulin pen, FlexTouch® (FT) versus vial and syringe (V&S).
  
  
  METHODS
  People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (n = 60), and physicians (n = 30) and nurses (n = 30) with experience of diabetes management performed test injections with FT and V&S, and then answered written questions on ease of use and preference.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary end point was preference for FT versus V&S. Secondary end points included perceptions of device handling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly more respondents preferred using FT (88%) to V&S (5%; p < 0.001; the remainder chose 'no preference'), found FT (91%) easier to use than V&S (6%; p < 0.001; the remainder chose 'no preference') and would recommend FT (91%) over V&S (3%; p < 0.001; the remainder chose 'no preference'). FT received better ratings than V&S for ease of use, holding the device stable when injecting, depressing the push-button/plunger and reading the dose scale (all p < 0.001). Ratings for confidence in correct insulin delivery and controlling blood sugar were also significantly better with FT (both p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FT was preferred to V&S for insulin delivery in this comparative analysis. The features of FT may improve the experience of insulin injection compared with V&S for a wide range of people with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Public Health and Education Research, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA. camposmdmph@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lajara
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deluzio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D057240:Patient Preference; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013594:Syringes; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin