Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Trend analyses of insulin delivery systems in the United States
Lauren J Lee1, Qian Li, Matthew W Reynolds
1Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, USA. lee_ji-young@lilly.com
Background:
Despite potential advantages in insulin pen delivery systems (IPDSs), the percentage of patients using an IPDS is relatively low in the United States.
Objective:
Our aim was to investigate the trend of initiating IPDSs among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who newly initiated insulin therapy.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted using a U.S. database from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008. Patients with T2DM who initiated a new insulin type and delivery system were included. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess the significance of the trend of initiating an insulin delivery system, including vial/syringe, IPDS overall, reusable pen delivery systems (RPDSs), and prefilled pen delivery systems (PPDSs). Different types of insulin (e.g., basal analog, prandial analog) were examined separately.
Results:
Patients initiating an IPDS increased from 10.6% in 2004 to 48.5% in 2008 (p < .001), most notably in basal analog and prandial analog insulin therapies. Although the percentage of patients using a PPDS increased by 36.2 percentage points (from 9.2% in 2004 to 45.4% in 2008; p < .001), use of a RPDS increased only by 1.7 percentage points (from 1.4% in 2004 to 3.1% in 2008; p < .001).
Conclusion:
There was an overall increase in the use of IPDSs in the United States among patients with T2DM who newly initiated insulin from July 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008. This increase was driven by the use of PPDSs for basal analog and prandial analog insulin therapies. Despite the increasing use of IPDS over time, approximately 50% of patients still initiated insulin using a vial/syringe in 2008.
Related Concept Videos
Insulin Formulations: Types and Delivery
Short-acting insulins are divided into rapid-acting...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Parenteral Drug Delivery Systems: Injectables, Implants, and Infusion Devices
Hypoglycemia
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed I

