Comparison of Quality of Life in Diabetics using Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy versus Insulin Injection Therapy

Abstract

Patients with type 1 diabetes are increasingly being treated with insulin infusions via a pump. The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of insulin delivered by infusion via a pump or delivered by multiple injections, on the quality of life in adult insulin dependent diabetics. Four parameters, specifically hemoglobin A1C (3 month average blood sugar levels), self‐reported healthy eating habits demonstrated by consumption of 3 meals/3 snacks everyday, frequency of exercise of daily 30 min or longer duration and opinion of quality of life were evaluated in patients receiving either insulin infusions or injections.Pump users reported enhanced eating and exercise behaviors and feeling in good health, compared with patients receiving conventional injections. In contrast, hemoglobin A1C concentrations were lower (6.9 ± 0.9 %) in patients receiving insulin injections compared with those receiving infusions (7.9 ± 0.6 %). Pump weareris perceived that they had a better quality of life but their glycemic control was not necessarily improved compared to those on insulin injections. Most likely, patients using the pump assumed that they had the flexibility to eat high glycemic foods without the problem of contending with insulin injections. Nutrition education and frequent blood glucose monitoring are required to improve glycemic control in type 1 diabetics using an insulin pump.