Evaluation of the JuniorSTAR® Half-unit Insulin Pen in Young People with Type 1 Diabetes – User Perspectives

Abstract

This paper discusses the results of a survey on the usability of a new half-unit insulin pen, JuniorSTAR ® (CE mark pending, under the responsibility of Haselmeier), in children with type 1 diabetes. Insulin pen devices have advantages over the traditional vial-and-syringe method of insulin delivery, including improved patient satisfaction and adherence, greater ease of use and superior accuracy, especially when delivering small doses of insulin. The accuracy and design of insulin pens is particularly important in the paediatric population.Young children often require half-unit adjustments. As the incidence of type 1 diabetes is expected to increase in the coming years in children less than 5 years old, a higher use of half-unit dosing pens may be anticipated. A survey with JuniorSTAR half-unit insulin pen has shown that it is easy to use, read, carry and dial back. This was confirmed by patients and also by nurses. In conclusion, the JuniorSTAR half-unit pen is well suited to the lifestyle of young people with type 1 diabetes and could help them to gain autonomy to self-inject.

Half-Unit Insulin Pens: Disease Management in Patients With Diabetes Who Are Sensitive to Insulin

“…The majority of participants (children/adolescents/parents, 98%; nurses, 94%) rated JS as somewhat good/very good (top 2 options of a 5-point scale) in terms of ease of reading a dose, which may be because of the large dose digit measurement previously reported. 42 The majority of participants also found the dose easy to read when comparing HPL, NPJ, and NPE in a pediatric population. 40 This feature may be of particular significance for patients with sight impairments.…”

“…The majority of participants (both pediatric nurses and patients/parents) found the injection force of JS suitable for young people with diabetes. 42 Olsen et al found that more participants using NPE and HPL found the injection force "ideal," compared with users of NPJ (P = .005). 40 Ease of Dose Dialing and Correction.…”

“…19,37 In all other HUPs, an incorrect dose can be corrected by reversing the dial without any insulin loss. 24,37,42,43 Overall, the majority of participants found it easy to dial and to dial back a dose using JS in terms of dial tactility and auditory feedback, and found that these pen features afford flexibility in dialing the correct dose. 42 In terms of ease of correcting a dose, participants preferred HPL to NPJ.…”

“…24,37,42,43 Overall, the majority of participants found it easy to dial and to dial back a dose using JS in terms of dial tactility and auditory feedback, and found that these pen features afford flexibility in dialing the correct dose. 42 In terms of ease of correcting a dose, participants preferred HPL to NPJ. 41 Similarly, NPE and HPL were rated better compared with NPJ.…”

“…40 Transportation and Handling. The majority of study participants (children/adolescents/parents, 81%; nurses, 86%) found JS easy to carry on a daily basis, 42 which is important for insulin-sensitive patients who may need to keep the pen on them at all times and monitor insulin requirements regularly. A low weight and smaller size of the pen may be particularly important in light of smaller hands of children as well as for elderly patients with neuromuscular impairments, or hand fatigue.…”