Diabetes device found to help patients better manage condition

A study conducted by Cardiff University has suggested that the use of a NeedleBay device allows diabetes patients to prepare insulin needles in advance, ultimately preventing patients from developing life-changing complications as a result of ill-management.

The device enabled users to prepare insulin needles a week in advance, attach and remove them safely from the insulin pen and dispose of used ones touch-free. Additionally, a clear plastic lid allows users to see how many injections they have, eliminating the risk of missing injections or double dosing.

The research found that initially, more than two thirds of the 226 participants had missed insulin injections or mistakenly taken a double dose. However, after the device was introduced to the patients’ routine, the number of patients making errors dropped to just 20 per cent.

The news comes as recent figures have shown there are now 4.5 million people with the condition in the UK, which includes 3.5 million adults who have been diagnosed, an increase of 119,965 compared to 2016, and an increase of 65 per cent over the past decade. Around 10 per cent of this figure are dependent on insulin.

Professor Molly Courtenay, lead researcher of the study, said: “It’s very important for those with insulin-dependent diabetes to manage their medication appropriately. If glucose levels aren’t maintained there is a risk of complications including vision loss, kidney failure or cardiovascular disease."

“Given that four-fifths of NHS diabetes spending goes on treating complications caused by poor insulin adherence, the potential savings, and benefits for patients, are significant.”