Self-injection of insulin using appropriate supportive devices in handicapped subjects with diabetes

To self-inject insulin, individuals with diabetes must be able to attach the needle to the injector, recognize the appropriate insulin dosage, detach the needle from the injector, and perform a series of operations necessary for the actual injection. These tasks require a grip strength that is strong enough to hold the necessary devices, eyesight, the use of both hands, and at least a minimum intellectual capacity. Subjects who are unable to grasp or handle the devices required for insulin injection often have difficulties with the self-injection of insulin.

We treated four diabetes patients who had trouble grasping objects and using both hands. One patient had lost five fingers in an accident, two patients had suffered from ischemic cerebral infarction resulting in complete one-sided hemiplegia with no movement in one arm, and one patient had limited muscular power in an arm as a result of spinal cord disease. The plasma glucose control was poor, and the initiation of insulin therapy was necessary in each of these patients. In three cases, we used a commercially available self-injection device (HumaHelper; Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Kobe, Japan) to enable self-injection; in the fourth case, we used a newly manufactured device similar to HumaHelper.

All the patients were able to inject insulin by themselves using the appropriate supplementary devices. The blood glucose control of all the patients subsequently improved.

Existing or newly manufactured supportive devices can enable handicapped subjects to self-inject insulin.