Adults with T1D Report Half-Unit Pen Prevents Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia with Less Worry and Anxiety

Abstract

People with type 1 diabetes (PWD) that strive for lower glucose targets are in need of more precise dosing and may require smaller insulin dose adjustments. Most currently available pens deliver insulin in one unit (U) increments, and few deliver half (0.5) U. There is a need to better understand who is using half unit pens (HUP) and their potential benefit for patients in the real world. This study aims to characterize PWD who have used (current/former=EVER users) HUP vs. those PWD that have never used HUP (NEVER users). This research also identified the main factors driving benefit from PWD perspective. An observational, cross-sectional survey was completed through T1D Exchange’s online patient community, myGlu.org. Chi square test, Fisher’s exact test, and t-tests were used for analyses. A total of 278 PWD (156 EVER, 122 NEVER users) over the age of 18 were recruited for the study (mean age: 42±13 years old, gender: 55% male, mean BMI (kg/m2): 26.0 ±3.8, and mean A1c (%): 6.3± 0.9), EVER users had diabetes a shorter duration (p<.001). NEVER users were more likely to use an insulin pump (p<.001). EVER users self-reported a significantly lower upper fasting glucose target compared to NEVER users (p<.001), and a lower overall post-prandial glucose target (p<.001). NEVER users were more likely to start to treat low blood sugar at lower readings (p<.001), and they were more confident in avoiding severe hypoglycemia (p<.001). Based on PWD experience, the greatest benefits of using HUP were prevention of hypo and hyperglycemia events and less worry and anxiety. HUP is an option for PWD that wish to maintain tighter management of their diabetes, avoiding hypo and hyperglycemic events while decreasing their level of worry and anxiety about their disease. It is important for PWD and health care providers to understand the benefits of this insulin delivery device to appreciate options for making diabetes management easier. Disclosure C. Piras de Oliveira: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. B. Mitchell: Stock/Shareholder; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. L. Fan: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. C. Garey: None. B. Liao: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. J. Bispham: None. N. Vint: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. M. Perez-Nieves: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. A.H. McAuliffe-Fogarty: Advisory Panel; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc..