clinical evaluation of bd next pen needle

Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Summary: this prospective, multi-center, 2 period cross-over study is designed to determine if people who use injection pens for subcutaneous medication delivery prefer the bd next pen needle (pn) in comparison with currently marketed pen needles of the same or similar gauge and length. subjects will use the investigational (bd next) pn and their usual conventional pn each for one week in a randomly assigned sequence, and will be asked to evaluate and compare characteristics of the bd next pen needle versus their usual pen needle when used for all their pen injections performed at home. since injection experience may vary according to the type of pen device used, equal numbers of subjects will be recruited who are users of three of the most commonly used insulin pen injectors.

using their usual insulin doses, pen and injection routine, subjects will be asked to compare two different pen needles (pns) of corresponding gauge (ga) and length, one being the investigational (extra thin wall) pen needle and the other being their most often, currently used pen needle. based on their current pen needle gauge and length, subjects will be assigned to the bd next pen needle with the most comparable gauge (g) and length, in millimeters (mm). the three possible sizes are bd next 32g x 4mm pen needle, bd next 31g x 5mm pen needle, or bd next 31g x 8 mm pen needle. both study pen needles will be used by the subject on the same pen device/insulin brand. if subjects are using two different pens, comparison data will be collected for both pen devices. each subject will participate in three study visits over the course of approximately 3 weeks. study conduct will include two in-home use study periods each lasting approximately (1) one week. during visit 1, after subjects are enrolled and assigned to a pen device group, subjects will be randomly assigned to use the bd next or their usual pn for use during a 1 week home use period (period 1). after approximately 1 week, at visit 2, subjects will be crossed-over to the other study pn per the randomization schedule. after approximately 1 week of home use with the second study pn (period 2), at visit 3, subjects will be asked to complete visual analog scales (vas) and answer questions comparing their injection experiences with the two different pns. the primary and secondary objectives will be assessed for all pen users combined. in addition, preference, thumb force, and confidence in full dose delivery will be compared among the subsets of subjects using each of the following pen devices: sanofi-aventis solostar®, lilly kwikpen™, novo nordisk flexpen®. in order to achieve a minimum of 60 evaluable subjects in each of these pen user groups approximately 210 subjects will be enrolled (70 subjects per pen group).

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. * currently self-injects insulin with a pen device at least once daily, and doing so for at least two months prior to enrollment. * one or more daily insulin doses injected with the pen device must be \> 10 units * the insulin pen being used by the subject for the daily dose of \> 10 units must be one of the three currently marketed pens: sanofi-aventis solostar, lilly kwikpen, or novo nordisk flexpen * using a pen needle that is either 4, 5, 6, or 8 mm length, and either 31 or 32 gauge. * willing to use the assigned study needles for all pen injections (including insulin and any other pen-based medications). * willing to keep their diabetes medications, diet, and exercise the same during the study. * able to read, write and follow instructions in english. * able and willing to provide informed consent. * the subject may also be using syringe and vial for some insulin doses, provided that at least one injection per day is done with an insulin pen and pen needle and is \> 10 units. exclusion criteria: * have previous knowledge of the details of this study or investigational products. * current status or history of a medical condition that would contraindicate treatment with study products or other conditions which, in the opinion of the principal investigator or sub-investigator, would place the subject at risk or have the potential to confound interpretation of the study results (e.g., recent history of ketoacidosis, hypoglycemic unawareness, etc.). * currently participating in any other clinical investigation that conflicts with this one, or who have participated in a study with the same indication within the prior 30 days that the principal investigator or sub-investigator believes will conflict with outcomes or ability of the subject to complete all activities required in this study. * currently using either the pic indolor (artsana) insupen sensitive 8 mm x 32g pen needle or the pic indolor (artsana) insupen sensitive 6mm x 32g pen needle. * history of intravenous drug use (self-reported). * employee, contractor or consultant to any company that manufactures pen needles, including bd. * pregnant (self-reported).

Keywords: pen needle insulin