Pen needle preference in a population of Canadians with diabetes: results from a recent patient survey.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin injections in patients using 8 mm 31 gauge vs. 5 mm 31 gauge pen needles, as determined by A1C results and to measure individual patient satisfaction and compare overall satisfaction regarding the use of the 2 needles.


METHODS
The study was completed as a substudy of a single-site, open-label, randomized, 6-month comparative study consisting of 66 obese patients. Prior to the study, all individuals had treated their diabetes with either long-acting insulin glargine or insulin detemir. At the onset of the study, patients were randomized 1:1 to either insulin glargine or neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin. All patients used an 8 mm pen needle for the first 3 months and a 5 mm pen needle for the remaining 3 months. At the conclusion of the trial, patients completed a questionnaire regarding pen needle satisfaction.


RESULTS
The 5 mm needle was preferred by 41.8% of study subjects, while the 8 mm needle was preferred by 27.9% of subjects. For other attributes (i.e. overall injection comfort, pain when inserting the needle into the skin and length of needle), the 5 mm needle scored higher than the 8 mm needle and higher also than the percentage of individuals who indicated no preference.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes with a mean single-injection volume dose of basal insulin of 50.2 units, the 5 mm needle was generally preferred over the 8 mm needle. The shorter needle was more comfortable and easier to use while being equally effective in delivering insulin.
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg Diabetes Research Group, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: ldberard@gmail.com.
Lori
L
Berard
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg Diabetes Research Group, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Brett
B
Cameron
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg Diabetes Research Group, Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Vincent
V
Woo
D002170:Canada; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069057:Insulin Detemir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069036:Insulin Glargine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009339:Needles / Q000592:standards; D057240:Patient Preference; D061214:Patient Safety; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin; D000069057:Insulin Detemir; D000069036:Insulin Glargine
aiguilles pour stylo; diabetes education; enseignement sur le diabète; insulin; insuline; patient satisfaction; pen needles; satisfaction des patients