Effect on quality of life with a new insulin injection device in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Objective: The aim was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and satisfaction of a new insulin injection device in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes on suboptimal glycemic control with two doses of insulin NPH alone. Research design and methods: This study was a prospective no-blind study performed. We selected 25 patients (13 men and 12 women) with type 2 diabetes, only treated with two doses of NPH insulin (injection pen device) for more than 6 months, who did not achieved optimal glycemic control. Additional inclusion criterion was age 55 to 75 years (mean 65.6 +/- 8.6). All subjects were required to be able to comply with the protocol and carry out home blood glucose monitoring. Results: HbA1c decreased significantly from 7.8% to 7.6% (P < .05) (2.6% decreased from baseline), and breakfast and lunch preprandial glucose controls decreased significantly. Significant decrease was detected in breakfast and dinner postprandial glucose level. Taken the patients as a whole, insulin dose change significantly (29.8 +/- 10.9 to 28 +/- 10.8 Ul/day; P < .05). The number of hypoglycemic events during the 3-month treatment was similar than before treatment with Innolet (2.3 +/- 3.9 to 1.4 +/- 2.6 events; its). The summary results indicated significantly improvement satisfaction questionnaire before 23.9 +/- 9 points and after 34.5 +/- 6.5 insulin injection device (P < .05). Conclusion: Innolet improved glycemic control and satisfaction in a group of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 previously treated with pen devices. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.