Patients more likely to use insulin pens as a result of physician recommendation

New data has confirmed that patients with diabetes heed their physicians’ recommendations about insulin therapy.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Loyola College in Baltimore conducted a cross-sectional study to assess factors that influence patient use of insulin pens. The researchers used a national sample of 600 adults with type 2 diabetes who were taking insulin, 300 of whom used insulin pens. They conducted telephone interviews to evaluate demographics, diabetes treatment and self-care, perceptions of pen convenience, clinical efficacy, cost and degree of physicians’ recommendations of pen use.

Physician recommendation was a significant predictor of insulin pen use; this factor discriminated pen users from nonusers (OR=135.6). Physician presentation of pens (OR=14.1), patient perceptions that pens improve diabetes self-care (OR=20.2) and low cost (OR=4.8) were also powerful predictors of use.

Patients who were encouraged to use an insulin pen were 100 times more likely to use the therapy, compared with patients whose physicians discouraged or did not discuss use.

“Physician recommendation of pen use, or even discussing insulin pens as an option, has an enormous impact on a patient’s choice of insulin delivery systems,” the researchers wrote. They recommended enhanced physician education and discussion with patients about the potential benefits of pen use to improve diabetes self-care. – by Katie Kalvaitis

Diabetes Care. 2008;31:430-432.

Tight control of blood glucose can be more readily achieved with multiple injections of insulin daily. The use of insulin pens has made this approach more patient friendly and increased patient compliance. Their use is often dependent on physicians’ involvement in educating the patients as to the ease of use of the pens.

– Derek LeRoith, MD, PhD

Endocrine Today Editorial Board member