The effect of using insulin pen device on glycemic control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes

Insulin pen device helps diabetic children to manage their diabetes. It offers an easier method for insulin administration that is more accurate, less painful, and more discreet compared with vials and syringes. It improves adherence, enhance quality of life, glycemic control, and decrease costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using insulin pen device on glycemic control and quality of life in children with type I diabetes mellitus. A sample of 60 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus included in this study. The study was conducted at Diabetic Outpatient Clinic and Inpatient Diabetic Unit of Pediatric Department at Tanta University Hospital. The tools of data collection were; a structured questionnaire sheet to collect socio demographic data of diabetic children, assessment of glycemic control, diabetes fear of self-injection questionnaire sheet, diabetes treatment satisfaction about insulin delivery devices, patient preferences about insulin delivery devices, and pediatric quality of life inventory scale. The results revealed that there was statistical significant difference between pen and syringe group regarding their glycemic control variables and their quality of life. The diabetic children reported significant preference, and satisfaction with the using of insulin pen, and expressed less fear of self injection compared with the using of syringe. The study concluded that the use of insulin pen device was associated with significant improvement in glycemic control variables and quality of life in children with type I diabetes mellitus. The study recommended improving awareness among Egyptian health care professionals and diabetic children about the characteristics of insulin pen devices.