Patient and physician satisfaction with the Humulin/Humalog Pen, a new 3.0-mL prefilled pen device for insulin delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed acceptability of a new 3.0-mL prefilled insulin pen device, the Humulin/Humalog Pen, as a method of delivering human insulin. Secondary objectives were to determine whether the pen device might facilitate initiation of insulin therapy in patients currently receiving oral antihyperglycemic agents and to monitor the safety of this pen device in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND

For both the patient and health care provider, significant negative perceptions of the use of insulin therapy persist, including patient inconvenience, social stigma from insulin injections, and insufficient time for the provider to train the patient.

METHODS

This 6-week, open-label, noncomparative study was conducted at 33 centers in the United States. Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes treated with insulin therapy or oral antihyperglycemic agents were enrolled in the study. Before the study, 62% (194 patients) had used a syringe and vial for insulin injection, 28% (87 patients) had used an insulin pen device, and 10% (30 patients) were insulin-naive. Prior therapy was unknown in 1% (4 patients). Patients used the Humulin/Humalog Pen for > or = 1 injection of insulin daily for 6 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, patients completed a questionnaire designed to elicit their perceptions of the Humulin/Humalog Pen; physicians completed a questionnaire at the end of the study. Frequencies and percentages of all categoric responses were calculated and summarized.

RESULTS

A total of 315 patients (136 type 1, 179 type 2 diabetes) were enrolled. Of the 299 patients who completed questionnaires at the end of the study, 76% (226 patients) were somewhat or extremely satisfied with the pen, 78% (234 patients) probably or definitely would continue to use the pen, and 80% (239 patients) probably or definitely would recommend the pen to others. Of the 33 physicians who completed questionnaires at the end of the study, 97% (32) thought that the pen was better overall compared with a vial and syringe, 88% (29) thought that it took less time to teach patients to use the pen, and 73% (24) thought that it took less time to initiate insulin therapy with the pen.

CONCLUSIONS

The Humulin/Humalog Pen had an acceptable safety profile and was well accepted by patients and physicians.