Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide, with an increasing number of people affected. Insulin therapy is still the major treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and has evolved from bulky syringes to modern insulin pens introduced in 1985. An insulin pen consists of three major...

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Main Authors: Francesca De Tommasi, Sergio Silvestri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Technologies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/12/11/233
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author Francesca De Tommasi
Sergio Silvestri
author_facet Francesca De Tommasi
Sergio Silvestri
author_sort Francesca De Tommasi
collection DOAJ
description Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide, with an increasing number of people affected. Insulin therapy is still the major treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and has evolved from bulky syringes to modern insulin pens introduced in 1985. An insulin pen consists of three major parts: a cartridge, a single-use pen needle (PN), and a precision dosing mechanism. Initially, PNs were long and thick, causing great discomfort and concern. Thanks to advances in design, shorter and thinner needles have appeared on the market, improving patient acceptability and pain perception. Studies highlight the influence of PN geometry and other characteristics on injection-related pain, including length, diameter, bevel design, and hub. Despite a lack of specific international regulations for PN geometry, scientific publications have focused on exploring different PNs’ characteristics to optimize patient comfort and reduce pain. To guide the selection of suitable PNs, this review provides a round-up of literature research findings on the impact of PN geometry on pain perception and patient acceptability. Specifically, it provides an overview of the PN manufacturing process, current international regulations, and the state-of-the-art research on PN geometry affecting pain perception.
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spelling doaj-art-7db25316adbe41c3bf45fff0ac6263d42025-08-20T02:04:41ZengMDPI AGTechnologies2227-70802024-11-01121123310.3390/technologies12110233Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A ReviewFrancesca De Tommasi0Sergio Silvestri1Unit of Measurement and Biomedical Instrumentation, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 00128 Rome, ItalyUnit of Measurement and Biomedical Instrumentation, Departmental Faculty of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 00128 Rome, ItalyDiabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide, with an increasing number of people affected. Insulin therapy is still the major treatment for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and has evolved from bulky syringes to modern insulin pens introduced in 1985. An insulin pen consists of three major parts: a cartridge, a single-use pen needle (PN), and a precision dosing mechanism. Initially, PNs were long and thick, causing great discomfort and concern. Thanks to advances in design, shorter and thinner needles have appeared on the market, improving patient acceptability and pain perception. Studies highlight the influence of PN geometry and other characteristics on injection-related pain, including length, diameter, bevel design, and hub. Despite a lack of specific international regulations for PN geometry, scientific publications have focused on exploring different PNs’ characteristics to optimize patient comfort and reduce pain. To guide the selection of suitable PNs, this review provides a round-up of literature research findings on the impact of PN geometry on pain perception and patient acceptability. Specifically, it provides an overview of the PN manufacturing process, current international regulations, and the state-of-the-art research on PN geometry affecting pain perception.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/12/11/233diabetesinjection-related paininsulin therapypen needles
spellingShingle Francesca De Tommasi
Sergio Silvestri
Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
Technologies
diabetes
injection-related pain
insulin therapy
pen needles
title Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
title_full Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
title_fullStr Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
title_short Influence of Insulin Pen Needle Geometry on Pain Perception and Patient’s Acceptability: A Review
title_sort influence of insulin pen needle geometry on pain perception and patient s acceptability a review
topic diabetes
injection-related pain
insulin therapy
pen needles
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/12/11/233
work_keys_str_mv AT francescadetommasi influenceofinsulinpenneedlegeometryonpainperceptionandpatientsacceptabilityareview
AT sergiosilvestri influenceofinsulinpenneedlegeometryonpainperceptionandpatientsacceptabilityareview