Ability to handle, and patient preference for, insulin delivery devices in visually impaired patients with type 2 diabetes

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Abstract
In this comparative study, 86 patients with type 2 diabetes and visual impairment were evaluated on their preference for, and ability to operate, three different insulin delivery systems— InnoLet® (NovoNordisk), Humulin® NPH Pen (Eli Lilly) and vial and syringe (Becton Dickinson). Patients found the clocklike dose scale on InnoLet® significantly easier to read than that of the other systems (92% were able to read four doses, versus 45% and 61% with Humulin® Pen and syringe respectively, both p < 0.001), and showed greater ability to set and dispense a 20 unit dose without instruction. After reading the packaging information leaflet and brief verbal instruction, 99% of patients were able to correctly set and dispense three consecutive insulin doses with InnoLet® compared with 85% with Humulin® Pen and 64% with syringe (p = 0.001 and p > 0.001, respectively). Ability to set and deliver insulin was not however clearly related to visual acuity. On questionnaire, 87% of patients expressed an overall preference for InnoLet®, and 13% for Humulin® Pen (p < 0.001); no patients preferred the syringe. In conclusion, insulin delivery systems designed to simplify accurate, reliable insulin delivery for people with visual impairment can improve the ability of such patients to repeatedly set and deliver the correct insulin dose. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.