New Insulin Delivery Recommendations

Errors in insulin treatment management and risk of lipohypertrophy

AIMS

Lipohypertrophy (LH) represents the most common skin-related complication associated with insulin therapy. Our aim is to estimate the prevalence of LH among insulin-treated patients, to identify its association with errors in insulin injection technique and storage, and the correlation between LH, risk of hypoglycemia, and glycemic control.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with T1DM or T2DM, attending a diabetes clinic for a routine visit, were administered an anonymous questionnaire investigating the modalities of insulin injection, the correct use of pen device, insulin storage, and reported frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. The presence of LH was assessed by inspection and palpation of injection sites.

RESULTS

Overall, 352 patients were enrolled (mean age 68 ± 12 years, 43.2% males, 88.9% with T2DM, mean duration of insulin therapy 9.1 ± 8.6 years). The prevalence of LH was 42.9%. At multivariate analysis, the strongest correlates of LH were not spacing injections (OR 20.4; 95% CI 10.5-39.6) and not rotating the site of injection (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.08-3.75). Increasing doses of insulin and longer duration of insulin therapy also increased the risk of LH. The presence of LH was associated with a 2.7 times higher risk of severe hypoglycemia. Higher daily insulin doses, lack of rotation of injection sites, and keeping insulin in use in the refrigerator were independent correlates of higher HbA1c levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin injection technique is suboptimal in many patients, highlighting the need for improved patient education. Increasing the awareness of the importance of preventing lipohypertrophy and insulin injection errors represents an important tool to reduce the clinical, social, and economic burden of diabetes.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Impact of Proper Insulin Injection Technique Training on Glycemic Control

INTRODUCTION

Improper injection technique can negatively affect glycemic control and treatment tolerability. We assessed the impact of structured insulin injection training on glycemic control.

METHODS

We compared changes in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) and fasting plasma glucose following structured insulin injection training in a 6-month pilot study in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Patients were recruited from mobile clinics in Moscow, Russia, and randomized into three groups. Groups 1 and 2 received structured injection training, and group 3 did not. Group 1 received 4-mm needles sufficient for each injection; groups 2 and 3 provided their own needle supply. Changes in insulin total daily dose (TDD), injection technique, needle reuse, and lipohypertrophy (LH) were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 120 patients enrolled, 116 were included in all analyses (group 1, n = 43; group 2, n = 35; group 3, n = 38). At 6 months, mean [95% CI] reductions in A1C were significant in groups 1 and 2 (- 1.00% [10.9 mmol/mol (- 1.3 to - 0.6)] and - 1.00% [10.9 mmol/mol (- 1.4 to - 0.7)], respectively; P < 0.001 for both), but not in group 3 (- 0.02% [0.2 mmol/mol (- 1.2 to 1.6)]). Increases in insulin TDD, however, were similar and significant across groups (approximately 6 IU; P < 0.05). Injection technique improved, and needle reuse and LH declined in groups 1 and 2, but not in group 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Little is known about the glycemic impact of insulin injection training. We found that structured training and the use of short pen needles can improve injection technique, leading to significant A1C reductions and decreased rates of LH.

Diabetes injectable therapy: type 2 diabetes management in Danish practice

Most diabetes care is done by GPs in Denmark. This study aimed to identify the barriers for GPs in initiating injectable therapies and reasons for referral to specialists. The web interview conducted included 85 GPs and 30 specialists experienced in type 2 diabetes (T2D). GPs felt more comfortable with initiating the first injectable therapy (defined as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) or basal insulin) than the second (defined as adding a basal insulin in patients treated with a GLP-1 RA (± oral anti-diabetic treatments [OADs]), or adding either a GLP-1 RA or a bolus insulin in patients treated with basal insulin (± OADs). The main barriers to initiating injectables were related to the complexity of available injectable therapies and the lack of comfort with complex patient profiles, namely patients with difficult glycemia control or significant comorbidities, whom GPs would rather refer to specialists. Main attributes that would increase the GPs' comfort level with initiation of injectables are low risk of hypoglycemia, glycemic control improvement and ease of use of the treatment. An injectable therapy with such attributes could help to overcome barriers to initiating injectable in primary care.

An Effective Intervention for Diabetic Lipohypertrophy: Results of a Randomized, Controlled, Prospective Multicenter Study in France

BACKGROUND

Lipohypertrophy (LH) is highly prevalent and is potentially harmful to insulin-injecting patients.

METHODS

In this study, we assessed the impact of injection technique (IT) education, including use of a 4-mm pen needle on insulin-treated patients with clinically observed LH in a randomized, controlled, prospective multicenter study in France with follow-up of 6 months. Intensive education and between-visit reinforcement were given to the intervention group. Control patients received similar messages at study outset.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were recruited (age 52.1 ± 15.7 years; men 70.7%; body mass index >30 kg/m²: 34.2%; type 1: 53.7%; years with diabetes mellitus: 18.1 ± 10.5), of which 109 patients were included in the final analysis. The intervention group (n = 53) showed a significant decrease of total daily dose of insulin (average at baseline: 54.1 IU) at 3 months (T-3) and 6 months (T-6), reaching just over 5 IU versus baseline (P = 0.035). Corresponding, although not significant, decreases occurred in controls (n = 56); between-group differences were not significant. There were significant decreases in HbA1c (up to 0.5%) at T-3 and T-6 in both groups, with no significant differences between groups. A significant number of intervention patients improved their IT habits; about half achieved ideal IT habits by T-3 versus a quarter of control patients. By T-6, 2/3 of intervention patients achieved either ideal or acceptable IT habits, while only 1/3 of control patients did.

CONCLUSIONS

Our intervention was effective in both study arms, however, to a greater degree and more rapidly in the intervention group. Widespread application of this intervention could be highly cost-effective.

Insulin Therapy: The Old, the New and the Novel-An Overview

Since its development, insulin therapy has been a mainstay in the arsenal of every practitioner battling against diabetes. For patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, insulin is essential for survival, and for those with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as the disease progresses, it may become a necessary addition to treatment. The goal of this article is to discuss insulin therapies that are currently available for use in the management of diabetes, from the old to the new and novel, and briefly discuss insulin use in special populations.

Effective method for drug injection into subcutaneous tissue

Subcutaneous injection of drug solution is widely used for continuous and low dose drug treatment. Although the drug injections have been administered for a long time, challenges in the design of injection devices are still needed to minimize the variability, pain, or skin disorder by repeated drug injections. To avoid these adverse effects, systematic study on the effects of injection conditions should be conducted to improve the predictability of drug effect. Here, the effects of injection conditions on the drug permeation in tissues were investigated using X-ray imaging technique which provides real-time images of drug permeation with high spatial resolution. The shape and concentration distribution of the injected drug solution in the porcine subcutaneous and muscle tissues are visualized. Dynamic movements of the wetting front (WF) and temporal variations of water contents in the two tissues are quantitatively analyzed. Based on the quantitative analysis of the experimental data, the permeability of drug solution through the tissues are estimated according to permeation direction, injection speed, and tissue. The present results would be helpful for improving the performance of drug injection devices and for predicting the drug efficacy in tissues using biomedical simulation.

Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations, India: The Indian Recommendations for Best Practice in Insulin Injection Technique, 2017

Health-care professionals in India frequently manage injection or infusion therapies in persons with diabetes (PWD). Patients taking insulin should know the importance of proper needle size, correct injection process, complication avoidance, and all other aspects of injection technique from the first visit onward. To assist health-care practitioners in their clinical practice, Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations, India, has updated the practical advice and made it more comprehensive evidence-based best practice information. Adherence to these updated recommendations, learning, and translating them into clinical practice should lead to effective therapies, improved outcomes, and lower costs for PWD.

Comment on the New Indian Injection Technique Recommendations: Critical Appraisal of the Real-World Implementation of the Current Guidelines

With an eye on the sequence of two Indian papers concurrently published in Diabetes Therapy, this paper analyzes skin differences among races and points to a lack of organized structured education sessions as the main cause of the high prevalence of lipodystrophy (LD) and consequent poor metabolic control. Only half of all insulin-treated patients reach their therapeutic targets worldwide. The factors involved in this are manifold, including the choice of overlong and repeatedly reused needles, as well as a failure to systematically rotate injection sites, all of which lead to skin LD. Regularly issued guidelines and expert recommendations provide suggestions about how to correct poor injection techniques, but LD still occurs at a high rate and is associated with poor metabolic control, a high risk of complications, frequent severe hypoglycemic episodes, and huge health and social costs. Poor knowledge of subcutaneous tissue anatomy and the physiological response to insulin injection by both health care personnel and patients may contribute to this problem. Moreover, differences in body structure among the races present in our multiethnic societies must be taken into account when choosing needle length and shooting technique in order to avoid accidental intramuscular injections.

Indian Injection Technique Study: Population Characteristics and Injection Practices

INTRODUCTION

It was estimated that 3.2 million Indians with diabetes injected insulin in 2010, but little is known about the techniques used.

METHODS

In 2015 we conducted an injection technique questionnaire (ITQ) survey throughout India involving 1011 patients. Indian values were compared with those from 41 other countries participating in the ITQ, known here as rest of world (ROW).

RESULTS

Mean HbA1c was 8.6. BMI values in India were 1.5-3 units lower than in ROW depending on patient group, meaning the risk of intramuscular (IM) injections is high in India. The mean total daily dose (TDD) of insulin was lower in every category of Indian patient than in ROW, perhaps reflecting the lower BMI. Needle reuse, whether with pens or syringes, is much higher in India than ROW and so is the number of times the needle is used. The majority (56.8%) of Indian insulin users performed only 2 injections/day as opposed to ROW where 45% of patients performed at least 4 injections/day. Indian patients inject insulin in the thighs more often than patients in ROW, a site where IM injections are more risky. Many patients do not have proper access to sharps containers or have other risk factors that could lead to blood-borne pathogen spread. More than 60% of used sharps in India go into the rubbish, with nearly 12% not even having the minimum protection of a cap.

DISCUSSION

The shortest needles are very common in India; however, the level of needle reuse is high. Multiple daily injections therapy is not as common in India as ROW. More focus needs to be given to dwell times under the skin, reconstitution of cloudy insulins, skinfolds, and safe sharps disposal.

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Aging and anti-aging: a Combo-Endocrinology overview

Aging and its underlying pathophysiological background has always attracted the attention of the scientific society. Defined as the gradual, time-dependent, heterogeneous decline of physiological functions, aging is orchestrated by a plethora of molecular mechanisms, which vividly interact to alter body homeostasis. The ability of an organism to adjust to these alterations, in conjunction with the dynamic effect of various environmental stimuli across lifespan, promotes longevity, frailty or disease. Endocrine function undergoes major changes during aging, as well. Specifically, alterations in hormonal networks and concomitant hormonal deficits/excess, augmented by poor sensitivity of tissues to their action, take place. As hypothalamic-pituitary unit is the central regulator of crucial body functions, these alterations can be translated in significant clinical sequelae that can impair the quality of life and promote frailty and disease. Delineating the hormonal signaling alterations that occur across lifespan and exploring possible remedial interventions could possibly help us improve the quality of life of the elderly and promote longevity.

Pharmacokinetic Properties of Fast-Acting Insulin Aspart Administered in Different Subcutaneous Injection Regions

Background

Fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) is insulin aspart set in a new formulation with faster initial absorption after subcutaneous administration. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic properties, including the absolute bioavailability, of faster aspart when administered subcutaneously in the abdomen, upper arm or thigh.

Methods

In a randomised, open-label, crossover trial, 21 healthy male subjects received a single injection of faster aspart at five dosing visits: 0.2 U/kg subcutaneously in the abdomen, upper arm and thigh, intramuscularly in the thigh and 0.02 U/kg intravenously. Blood sampling for pharmacokinetics was performed pre-dose and frequently thereafter until 12 h post-dose (8 h after intravenous administration).

Results

Onset of appearance (~3 min), time to 50% of maximum concentration (t_{Early 50% Cmax}; ~20 min) and time to maximum concentration (t_max; ~55 min) were all similar between injection regions. Early exposure within the first 2 h after injection (AUC_IAsp,0–1h and AUC_IAsp,0–2h) as well as maximum concentration (C_max) were comparable for the abdomen and upper arm, but were ~25% lower for the thigh as seen previously for other mealtime insulin products. Total exposure (AUC_IAsp,0–t) was similar for the abdomen, upper arm and thigh, and absolute bioavailability was ~80% after subcutaneous administration of faster aspart in all three injection regions.

Conclusion

The current study supports the ultra-fast pharmacokinetic characteristics of faster aspart across different injection regions, with administration in the abdomen and upper arm resulting in greater early exposure than in the thigh.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02089451.

Standards of specialized diabetes care. Edited by Dedov II, Shestakova MV, Mayorov AY. 8th edition

Dear Colleagues! We are glad to present the8th Editionof Standards of Diabetes Care. These evidence-based guidelines were designed to standardize and facilitate diabetes care in all regions of the Russian Federation. The Standards are updated on the regular basis to incorporate new data and relevant recommendations from national and international clinical societies, including World Health Organization Guidelines (WHO, 2011, 2013), International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2011, 2012, 2013), American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2012, 2017), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE, 2017), International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD, 2014) and Russian Association of Endocrinologists (RAE, 2011, 2012, 2015). Current edition of the Standards also integrates results of completed randomized clinical trials (ADVANCE, ACCORD, VADT, UKPDS, SAVOR, TECOS, LEADER, EMPA-REG OUTCOME, etc.), as well as findings from the national studies of diabetes mellitus (DM), conducted in close partnership with a number of Russian hospitals. Latest data indicates that prevalence of DM in the world increased during the last decade more than two-fold, reaching some 415 million patients by the end of 2015. According to the current estimation by the International Diabetes Federation, 642 million patients will be suffering from DM by 2040. These observations resulted in the UN Resolution on Diabetes 61/225 passed on 20.12.2006, and in 2011 - UN Political Declaration, addressed to national health systems, calling for the establishment of multidisciplinary strategy in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, where special attention is drawn to the problem of diabetes as one of the leading causes of disability and mortality. Like many other countries, Russian Federation experiences a sharp rise in the prevalence of DM. According to Russian Federal Diabetes Register, there are at least 4.35 million patients with DM in this country by the end of 2016 (3% of population) with 92% (4 million) Type 2 DM, 6% (255 th) Type 1 DM and 2% (75 th) other types of DM. However, these results underestimates real quantity of patients, because they consider only registered cases. Results of Russian epidemiological study (NATION) confirmed that only 50% of Type 2 DM are diagnosed. So real prevalence of patients with DM in Russia is no less than 8-9 million patients (about 6% of population). This is a great long-term problem, because a lot of patients are not diagnosed, so they dont receive any treatment ant have high risk of vascular complications. Severe consequences of the global pandemics of DM include its vascular complications: nephropathy, retinopathy, coronary, cerebral, coronary and peripheral vascular disease. These conditions are responsible for the majority of cases of diabetes-related disability and death. Current edition of the Standards emphasizes the patient-oriented approach in making decisions on therapeutic goals, such as levels of glycaemia and blood pressure. It also features updated guidelines on the management of Type 2 DM and its vascular complications, added information about bariatric surgery as a method of treatment of DM with morbide obesity. This text represents a consensus by the absolute majority of national experts, achieved through a number of fruitful discussions held at national meetings and forums. These guidelines are intended for endocrinologists and diabetologists, primary care physicians, cardiologists and other medical professionals involved in prevention and treatment of DM. On behalf of the Working Group

UK lipohypertrophy interventional study

INTRODUCTION

Lipohypertrophy (LH) is one of the most common complications of insulin therapy. We conducted a prospective study in 18 UK centres to assess the impact of a targeted LH intervention on a range of clinical, biological and socio-economic parameters.

METHODS

Seventy-five insulin-injecting patients were recruited randomly and were followed prospectively for 3-6months, with results compared to baseline values. Interventions included the use of an intensive education program and a switch to a 4mm pen needle.

RESULTS

At all injection sites LH decreased significantly by the end of the study, either disappearing completely or shrinking by approximately 50% from its original diameter. Injections into LH decreased by more than 75% by the end. Most patients were not correctly rotating injection sites at the beginning but by the end most were, by a 5-fold margin. Only 1/3 of our subjects used the 4mm needle at the beginning of the study, however, virtually all did by study end. The mean HbA1c improved by more than 4mmol/L and there were significantly lower levels of unexpected hypoglycaemia and glucose variability. Total daily doses of insulin dropped by an average of 5.6 IU by study end.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe the impressive clinical improvements seen with training to prevent LH can be achieved by wide adoption of the interventions outlined in this study.

Lipohypertrophy in China: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Insulin Consumption, and Clinical Impact

BACKGROUND

Lipohypertrophy (LH) is a complication of insulin therapy. We assessed LH prevalence, risk factors, insulin usage, and clinical and health economic effects in China.

METHODS

In four cities, 401 adult patients injecting insulin ≥1 year were surveyed for diabetes/insulin injection history and practices, pen needle reimbursement (PNR), and health resource utilization, followed by structured examination and HbA1c testing. Differences between those with and without LH were evaluated by Student's t-test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Insulin costs were calculated.

RESULTS

Patients were 59.6 ± 11.5 years old; 50% male; 93.5% type 2 diabetes. LH prevalence was 53.1%. Compared to those without LH, patients with LH had higher body mass index (BMI; 26 vs. 24.8 kg/m²) and HbA1c (8.2% vs. 7.7% [66 vs. 61 mmol/mol]), took 11 IU (0.13 IU/kg or 31.7%) more insulin costing $1.4 versus $1.0 (RMB 9.5 vs. 6.8) daily, reused PNs more times, and had less PNR (all P ≤ 0.003). LH patients correctly rotated injection sites less often (67.6% vs. 92.3%, P < 0.0001). By stepwise logistic regression, BMI, needle reuse frequency, and PNR remained modestly associated with LH prevalence (odds ratios [OR] <1.9; P ≤ 0.03); weight-adjusted insulin dose and incorrect site rotation showed ORs of nearly 7 and 8.4, respectively (P ≤ 0.001). Extrapolated to 9 million insulin-injecting patients in China and adjusted for therapy adherence, LH-related excess annual insulin consumption cost is estimated at nearly $297 million (RMB 2 billion).

CONCLUSIONS

LH is common in China and associated with worse glycemic control, despite nearly one-third greater insulin consumption, with large cost implications. Proper injection technique education may reduce LH prevalence.

Assessment of Insulin Injection Practice among Diabetes Patients in a Tertiary Healthcare Centre in Nepal: A Preliminary Study

INTRODUCTION

Proper insulin injection practice is essential for better diabetic control. This study aims to assess the insulin injection practice of patients with diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal, from February 2017 to May 2017. Patients injecting insulin through insulin pens (n = 43) for a minimum of 4 weeks were consecutively recruited. Patients' baseline characteristics, current insulin injection technique, insulin transportation practice, complications of insulin injection, disposal practice of used needle, and acceptability of insulin were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM-SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

The insulin injection technique of patients and their relatives was inadequate. The majority of patients and their relatives (25, 58.1%) mentioned that they transport their insulin cartridge without maintaining cold chain. Thirteen patients (30.2%, n = 43) reported complications of insulin injection and the most common complication among those patients was bruising (10, 76.9%, n = 13). Almost all patients disposed the used needle improperly, and the common method was disposing the needle in a dustbin and then transferring to municipal waste disposal vehicle. Insulin was accepted by just 16 (37.2%) patients.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant gap between the insulin delivery recommendation through insulin pen and current insulin injection practice.

Insulin Infusion Set Use: European Perspectives and Recommendations

Insulin pump users worldwide depend on insulin infusion sets (IISs) for predictable delivery of insulin to the subcutaneous tissue. Yet emerging data indicates that IISs are associated with many pump-related adverse events and may contribute to potentially life-threatening problem of unexplained hyperglycemia. The relative scarcity of published research on IISs to date, the heterogeneity of regional IIS practices, and the increasing demand for international standards guiding their use prompted convening of a panel of diabetologists and diabetes nurse educators last February, in Milan, Italy, to discuss a framework for optimizing IIS practice in Europe. The multinational panel was tasked, first, with identifying the often-overlooked IIS issues that can affect patients' experience of pump therapy-e.g., partial or complete blockage of the cannula, skin pathologies, unpredictable variations in insulin absorption, dislodgment, and the demands of site rotation and set changes-and, second, with establishing direction for developing cohesive protocols to assure long-term success. As reported in this article, the panel examined IIS-related complications of pump therapy encountered in clinical practice, considered country-wide policies to prevent and mitigate such complications, and updated priorities for improving IIS education on issues of device selection, skin care, and troubleshooting unexplained hyperglycemia. These recommendations may be more relevant with the possibility of closed-loop systems available in the near future.

Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire Study: Population Parameters and Injection Practices

From February 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, 13,289 insulin-injecting patients from 423 centers in 42 countries took part in one of the largest surveys ever performed in diabetes. The goal was to assess patient characteristics, as well as historical and practical aspects of their injection technique. Results show that 4- and 8-mm needle lengths are each used by nearly 30% of patients and 5- and 6-mm needles each by approximately 20%. Higher consumption of insulin (as measured by total daily dose) is associated with having lipohypertrophy (LH), injecting into LH, leakage from the injection site, and failing to reconstitute cloudy insulin. Glycated hemoglobin values are, on average, 0.5% higher in patients with LH and are significantly higher with incorrect rotation of sites and with needle reuse. Glycated hemoglobin values are lower in patients who distribute their injections over larger injection areas and whose sites are inspected routinely. The frequencies of unexpected hypoglycemia and glucose variability are significantly higher in those with LH, those injecting into LH, those who incorrectly rotate sites, and those who reuse needles. Needles associated with diabetes treatment are the most commonly used medical sharps in the world. However, correct disposal of sharps after use is critically suboptimal. Many used sharps end up in public trash and constitute a major accidental needlestick risk. Use of these data should stimulate renewed interest in and commitment to optimizing injection practices in patients with diabetes.

Worldwide Injection Technique Questionnaire Study: Injecting Complications and the Role of the Professional

From February 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, 13,289 insulin-injecting patients from 423 centers in 42 countries participated in one of the largest surveys ever performed in diabetes. The first results of this survey are published elsewhere in this issue. Herein we report that the most common complication of injecting insulin is lipohypertrophy (LH), which was self-reported by 29.0% of patients and found by physical examination in 30.8% by health care professionals (HCPs). Patients with LH consumed a mean of 10.1 IU more insulin daily than patients without LH. Glycated hemoglobin levels averaged 0.55% higher in patients with vs without LH. Lipohypertrophy was associated with higher rates of unexplained hypoglycemia and glycemic variability as well as more frequent diabetic ketoacidosis, incorrect rotation of injection sites, use of smaller injection zones, longer duration of insulin use, and reuse of pen needles (each P<.05). Routine inspection of injection sites by the HCP was associated with lower glycated hemoglobin levels, less LH, and more correct injection site rotation. Patients were also more likely to rotate correctly if they received injection instructions from their HCP in the past 6 months. Fewer than 40% of patients claimed to have gotten such instructions in the past 6 months, and 10% said that they have never received training on how to inject correctly despite injecting for a mean of nearly 9 years. Use of these data should stimulate renewed commitment to optimizing insulin injection practices.