Randomized trial of infusion set function: steel versus teflon

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Diabetes Management
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Insulin pump therapy is crucial for managing type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• Infusion set material (Teflon vs. steel) may impact device function and patient outcomes.
• Optimizing infusion set wear time is essential for effective glycemic control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the functional longevity of Teflon and steel infusion sets for insulin pump therapy.
• To identify factors influencing the duration of infusion set use in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, open-label, crossover study involving 20 subjects with type 1 diabetes.
• Subjects used both Teflon (Quick-Set®) and steel (Sure-T®) infusion sets for up to 7 days or until failure.
• Continuous glucose monitoring was employed throughout the study duration.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in the survival curves between Teflon and steel infusion sets over 7 days.
• An initial 15% failure rate was observed with Teflon sets due to kinking.
• After 7 days, both set types exhibited a 64% failure rate, with hyperglycemia and pain being common reasons for removal.

Conclusions:

• Both Teflon and steel infusion sets demonstrate comparable function over a 7-day period in insulin pump therapy.
• Individual patient characteristics, rather than infusion set material, are the primary determinant of prolonged successful wear.
• Further research may explore strategies to mitigate initial Teflon set kinking and improve overall infusion set adhesion.