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Background <p>Despite advances in diabetes technologies, disparities in access and uptake persist across socioeconomic and ethnic groups, further exacerbating health inequalities. Smart insulin pens (SIPs) are a cost-effective and accessible technology that provide insights into insulin dosing frequency and adherence patterns.</p> Aims <p>To evaluate the impact of SIP use on glycaemic outcomes in individuals with diabetes from predominantly socioeconomically deprived backgrounds.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study of 42 adults prescribed NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus. Demographic, clinical, glycaemic and insulin dosing metrics were analysed. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using the Pobal Deprivation Index. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and follow-up.</p> Results <p>The median age was 56.0&#xa0;years (IQR 37.0–64.0), 22 participants (52.4%) were female, 28 (66.7%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus, and mean baseline HbA1c was 89.3&#xa0;mmol/mol (±20.2). Most participants (68.3%) were in lower to middle SES categories. After a median follow-up of 16&#xa0;weeks (IQR 8.3–30.0), SIP use was associated with improvements in glycaemic metrics including mean time in range (8.9%, <i>p</i> = 0.02), time above range (−9.6%, <i>p</i> = 0.04), and HbA1c (−7.7&#xa0;mmol/mol, <i>p</i> = 0.01). No association was observed between SES and glycaemic outcomes.</p> Conclusions <p>In this socioeconomically disadvantaged cohort, SIPs were associated with improved glycaemic outcomes, suggesting they may represent an accessible alternative to more complex diabetes technologies. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness, assess cost-effectiveness, and explore integration with digital health platforms.</p>

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Glycaemic benefits of smart insulin pens in socioeconomically deprived individuals: a single-Centre study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月30日

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  • Aoife Courtney,
  • Saidhbh Comerford,
  • Lisa Owens

摘要

Background

Despite advances in diabetes technologies, disparities in access and uptake persist across socioeconomic and ethnic groups, further exacerbating health inequalities. Smart insulin pens (SIPs) are a cost-effective and accessible technology that provide insights into insulin dosing frequency and adherence patterns.

Aims

To evaluate the impact of SIP use on glycaemic outcomes in individuals with diabetes from predominantly socioeconomically deprived backgrounds.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study of 42 adults prescribed NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus. Demographic, clinical, glycaemic and insulin dosing metrics were analysed. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using the Pobal Deprivation Index. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and follow-up.

Results

The median age was 56.0 years (IQR 37.0–64.0), 22 participants (52.4%) were female, 28 (66.7%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus, and mean baseline HbA1c was 89.3 mmol/mol (±20.2). Most participants (68.3%) were in lower to middle SES categories. After a median follow-up of 16 weeks (IQR 8.3–30.0), SIP use was associated with improvements in glycaemic metrics including mean time in range (8.9%, p = 0.02), time above range (−9.6%, p = 0.04), and HbA1c (−7.7 mmol/mol, p = 0.01). No association was observed between SES and glycaemic outcomes.

Conclusions

In this socioeconomically disadvantaged cohort, SIPs were associated with improved glycaemic outcomes, suggesting they may represent an accessible alternative to more complex diabetes technologies. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness, assess cost-effectiveness, and explore integration with digital health platforms.