Evolving trends in insulin delivery in pursuit of improvements in diabetes management

Diabetes mellitus affects 23.6 million Americans and its incidence is rapidly increasing, particularly in older, overweight patients. Large-scale studies conclusively show that elevated blood glucose levels are associated with an increased risk for microvascular complications, such as retinopathy and nephropathy. The high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with this disease, and the costs associated with it, underscore the importance of effective glycemic control. Conventional syringe/vial insulin delivery is associated with many barriers for patients with diabetes mellitus and for their healthcare providers. Substantial developments in insulin delivery show promise in overcoming these barriers. New technologies in insulin delivery focus on increasing patient convenience, reducing the frequency of daily injections, and improving glycemic control. This article outlines the challenges associated with conventional insulin delivery and describes recent developments that may help to overcome these barriers and, ultimately, could enhance glycemic control.