Improved diabetic control in adolescents using the Penject syringe for multiple insulin injections

Eleven adolescent diabetics, aged 15.1 +/- 1.3 years (mean +/- 1SD) in poor glycaemic control (HbA1 12.0 +/- 1.5% at entry) were commenced on a four times daily insulin injection regimen using the Penject fountain-pen syringe with Initard (50:50 mixture of porcine soluble and isophane) insulin on a sliding scale. Diabetic control improved over a 3-month period, assessed by a reduction in both the mean preprandial blood glucose concentrations (10.9 +/- 3.3 mmol/l to 7.7 +/- 2.3 mmol/l) and mean glycosylated haemoglobin concentrations (12.0 +/- 1.5% to 9.5 +/- 0.9%). Further improvement was again seen in 5 patients who remained on four daily injections for an additional 3 months (mean HbA1: 9.6 +/- 0.9% to 8.4 +/- 1.0%), whereas diabetic control in 6 patients who returned to twice daily injections deteriorated (mean HbA1 rose from 9.5 +/- 1.0% to 10.6 +/- 1.6%). Multiple insulin injections using an injection pen are acceptable to adolescent diabetics and improve their control.