The use of multiple daily injections versus insulin pump therapy for HgbA1c reduction in patients with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.

Background: More than 35 million Americans live with type 2 diabetes (T2D), resulting in the need for newer strategies and technologies to manage the disease. Insulin pump therapy (IPT) has historically been reserved for type 1 diabetes, although emerging data demonstrates improved glucose outcomes for patients with T2D using IPT.

Purpose: To measure the change in HgbA1c in patients with T2D after changing therapy from multiple daily injections (MDI) to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion through IPT.

Methodology: A retrospective comparison study was conducted by reviewing the electronic medical record of patients with T2D, older than 18 years, who had been on multiple daily insulin injections for at least 1 year, followed by IPT for at least 1 year.

Results: One hundred seventy-one patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a statistically significant reduction in mean HgbA1c from 9.6% to 7.6%.

Conclusion: Insulin pump therapy may result in lower HgbA1c levels for T2D not at goal on MDI.

Implications: Patients on multiple daily insulin injections who are not at goal should be considered for IPT.