Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire Study: Injecting Complications and the Role of the Professional.
From February 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, 13,289 insulin-injecting patients from 423 centers in 42 countries participated in one of the largest surveys ever performed in diabetes. The first results of this survey are published elsewhere in this issue. Herein we report that the most common complication of injecting insulin is lipohypertrophy (LH), which was self-reported by 29.0% of patients and found by physical examination in 30.8% by health care professionals (HCPs). Patients with LH consumed a mean of 10.1 IU more insulin daily than patients without LH. Glycated hemoglobin levels averaged 0.55% higher in patients with vs without LH. Lipohypertrophy was associated with higher rates of unexplained hypoglycemia and glycemic variability as well as more frequent diabetic ketoacidosis, incorrect rotation of injection sites, use of smaller injection zones, longer duration of insulin use, and reuse of pen needles (each P<.05). Routine inspection of injection sites by the HCP was associated with lower glycated hemoglobin levels, less LH, and more correct injection site rotation. Patients were also more likely to rotate correctly if they received injection instructions from their HCP in the past 6 months. Fewer than 40% of patients claimed to have gotten such instructions in the past 6 months, and 10% said that they have never received training on how to inject correctly despite injecting for a mean of nearly 9 years. Use of these data should stimulate renewed commitment to optimizing insulin injection practices.
Department of Endocrinology, Skane University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Anders H
AH
Frid
BD Diabetes Care, Franklin Lakes, NJ.
Laurence J
LJ
Hirsch
University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
Astrid R
AR
Menchior
BD, Le Pont de Claix, France.
Didier R
DR
Morel
BD Diabetes Care, Erembodegem, Belgium. Electronic address: kenneth_strauss@europe.bd.com.
Kenneth W
KW
Strauss
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin