In elderly people with diabetes and visual or motor disabilities, use of the Novolin® InnoLet® human insulin (rDNA origin) doser instead of a vial and syringe reduced the need for nursing assistance with insulin therapy, thereby reducing the associated costs by 42 percent, according to findings reported in the January 2004 issue of Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. Eight out of 10 patients in the study reported preferring the Novolin InnoLet over a vial and syringe.
       The study was a randomized, controlled cross-over trial in 79 elderly people (average age 68.2 years) who required insulin therapy for their diabetes and who had visual and/or motor disabilities. The participants were assigned to self-administer insulin therapy using either a vial and syringe or Novolin InnoLet for six weeks, then switched to the alternate treatment for six additional weeks. At the end of each treatment period, nurses completed questionnaires that assessed the amount of assistance the patients required to administer insulin therapy, and patients completed a questionnaire about their preference and satisfaction with the insulin delivery device.
       When using Novolin InnoLet, 53 percent of patients did not require nursing assistance with insulin administration, compared to 20 percent when using a vial and syringe. As a result, the average cost of nursing assistance with Novolin InnoLet was significantly less (42 percent) than with the vial and syringe: $114 vs. $196 per day (p < 0.001).
       Most participants (82%) said they preferred using Novolin InnoLet, 10 percent preferred the vial and syringe, and eight percent reported no preference. Most (97%) said Novolin InnoLet was easy or very easy to use; 82 percent rated Novolin InnoLet easier to use than the vial and syringe.
       Glycemic control, assessed by fructosamine levels, did not change significantly during either of the study periods. There were no adverse events considered by the investigators that were related to the delivery systems (vial/syringe and Novolin InnoLet).
       InnoLet is an insulin doser designed as an alternative to the vial and syringe method of insulin delivery used by many people with diabetes. InnoLet is designed to be easy to use, accurate, and affordable:
• Rated “easiest device to learn how to use” by more than 90 percent of patients in a preference and handling study
• Easy to press—large low-resistance injection button
• Easy to start—prefilled and ready to use with 300 units of 70/30, NPH, or regular human insulin
• Easy to use—simply “dial the dose”
• Easy to read—oversized numbers
• Easy to carry—convenient, portable, and completely disposable
• Unique design helps reduce insulin dose setting errors
• Correctable dosing dial turns forward and back so patients can correct the dose setting before injecting
• Oversized numbers help ensure that patients dial the intended dose
• Support shoulder helps ensure stability and consistent depth with each injection
• Available for the same copay as vial and syringe under most insurance plans nationwide.
       InnoLet is available with Novolin® 70/30 (70% NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension, and 30% Regular, Human Insulin Injection [rDNA origin]), Novolin® N (NPH, Human Insulin Isophane Suspension [rDNA origin]), and Novolin® R (Regular, Human Insulin Injection [rDNA origin]). Each InnoLet doser contains 300 units of insulin with a maximum of 50 units for each dose. The InnoLet doser is made of plastic that can be sent to landfills or incinerated safely.
       Any change in insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision.
       The prevalence of diabetes is skyrocketing in many countries around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people worldwide with the condition was estimated at 30 million in 1985, 135 million in 1995, and 177 million in 2000 and is expected to increase to at least 300 million by 2025. For individual countries, the direct healthcare costs of diabetes are from 2.5 to 15 percent of annual national healthcare budgets, depending on the prevalence of diabetes in the country and the sophistication of the treatment available.
       For more information, visit http://www.novonordisk-us.com.