Patient Perception and Use of an Insulin Injector/Glucose Monitor Combined Device

This clinical trial assessed patient preference, satisfaction, and use of an insulin injector/glucose monitor combination device versus syringes and a separate glucose monitor. In a randomized, multicenter, 2-period crossover study, 15 patients with type 1 diabetes were randomized to use either a combined injector/monitor device or syringes, a vial, and a separate glucose monitor, then switched to the alternate treatment. Efficacy, safety, preference, satisfaction, and actual use (via meter download) of the 2 systems were compared. Most of the patients preferred using the combination device to syringes and a separate meter. Results from the Handling of Delivery Systems questionnaire given at the end of the study indicated that 49% of patients felt they tested their blood glucose more often with the combination device than with a separate meter. A higher frequency of daily monitoring was reported with the combination device in patients overall (approximately 1 more reading per week). However, a large subset of patients (32%) showed substantial increases in their frequency of daily glucose monitoring (an average of 1 additional reading per day). Use of the combination device was associated with significant improvements in patient treatment satisfaction.