Use of a prefilled insulin syringe (Novolin Prefilled) by patients with diabetes

A study was conducted to assess patients' acceptance of a new insulin injection system, Novolin Prefilled, and to record their opinions about its use during a 4-week study period. Sixty-four patients, aged 20 to 69 years, with type I (n = 19) or type II (n = 45) diabetes mellitus entered and completed the study; 22 were new insulin users and 42 had been treated previously for 6 months to 43 years. Patients received insulin treatment via a prefilled syringe that was designed to provide a convenient alternative method for injecting insulin. The syringe is prefilled with 150 U of insulin and can deliver up to 58 U per dose. After 2 to 4 days of using the new system, patients reported no major problems when asked about mechanical difficulties, and the percentage reporting mild hypoglycemic events was comparable to baseline. During the 4-week study, no patients reported moderate or severe hypoglycemic episodes. The results of attitude questionnaires revealed that after treatment significantly more patients (P < 0.05) reported feeling energetic and full of pep, in good control, and not worried about giving themselves insulin injections. The increase in positive attitudes was most apparent among the patients new to insulin use. Most of the study patients (98%) reported that the prefilled syringe was convenient and easy to use, 95% found it took less time to use at home, and 91% wished to continue using it for insulin delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)