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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT00928057

Comparison of Glycemic Control Among Diabetics Using Three Different Pen Needles

Anxiety about needles is a commonly expressed concern by diabetics about beginning insulin therapy. A shorter, thinner pen needle that delivers insulin with the safety and efficacy profile of currently marketed pen needles may appeal to many diabetic patients as the new needle may be perceived as less intimidating and more comfortable. Currently marketed pen needles range in length from 5 to 12.7 millimeters (mm).

The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the investigational 4mm x 32 Gauge(G) pen needle manufactured by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) provides equivalent glucose control (as measured by fructosamine levels) as the currently marketed BD 5mm x 31 G and BD 8mm x 31 G pen needles (PN)in diabetic subjects with varying insulin dosage regimens.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Radiant Research, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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About this study

Within each dose group, subjects were randomly assigned at baseline to one of two study arms. One study arm (4/5 mm PN) compared the BD 4mm PN to the 5mm PN, and the other arm (4/8 mm PN) compared the BD 4mm PN to the 8mm PN, in a crossover fashion. Based on the randomization, subjects used either the 4mm or the other assigned PN (5mm or 8mm) for the first 3 weeks, then switched to the alternate PN for the next 3 weeks. Glycemic control was assessed by serum fructosamine (FRU) levels at the end of each 3 week period.

Based on their baseline insulin regimen, subjects were also assigned to an insulin dosing group (Low or Regular) to help ensure balance among treatment arms. Requirements for each group were as follows: Low Dose: largest single dose of insulin each day with a pen device must be less than or equal to 20 units. Regular Dose: largest single dose of insulin each day, with a pen device, must be 21-40 units.

Explanation of Visits and Timing of Assessments:

Visit 1:

  • Screening
  • Informed Consent
  • Demographics
  • Inclusion /Exclusion
  • Hemoglobin A1c measurement (HbA1c)

Visit 2 (Baseline:)

  • Insulin dose group assignment (Low dose or Regular dose)
  • Randomization
  • Fructosamine blood sample collected
  • Dispense pen needle (PN) assigned first

Visit 3 (approximately 3 weeks after starting first PN)

  • Pain rated by subject relative to baseline PN
  • Review Adverse Events (AEs) and reported events of injection site leakage
  • Fructosamine blood sample collected
  • Dispense second assigned PN

Visit 4 (approximately 3 weeks after starting second PN):

  • Review AEs and reported events of injection site leakage
  • Fructosamine blood sample collected
  • Pain rated relative to previously used PN
  • Study Completion

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Insulin requiring diabetics (type 1 or type 2)
  • Using a pen device for injections at least once per day, for at least two months prior to baseline (Study Visit Two).
  • 18 to 75 years of age, inclusive.
  • Body Mass Index from 18 to 50 kg/m², inclusive.
  • Hemoglobin A1c from 5.5 to 9.5 percent (%), inclusive.
  • Largest single dose of insulin a day less than or equal to 40 units

Exclusion criteria

  • Current status or history of a medical condition that would contraindicate treatment with the study product or other conditions which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would place the subject at risk or have the potential to confound interpretation of the study results (i.e. recent history of ketoacidosis, hypoglycemic unawareness, etc.).
  • Hemophilia or any other disorder which causes excessive bleeding or requires frequent transfusions.
  • History of intravenous drug abuse (self-reported).
  • Bleeding disorder, hemophilia or subject is currently taking anti-coagulant medications (e.g., heparin, Coumadin®, warfarin).
  • Self-reported blood borne infection.
  • Pregnant (from medical history only).

Treatment and study plan

4mm x 32G pen needle

Device

For 3 weeks, subjects used this pen needle with their own pen device for all daily insulin injections they usually administered themselves with a pen device. Subjects followed their usual insulin regimen and there was no upper limit on total daily insulin dosage or number of injections. Subjects were advised to inject straight in when using the 4mm PN, with no pinch up.

Other names: BD Ultra-Fine™ Nano pen needle, Catalog number 320122

8mm x 31G pen needle

Device

For 3 weeks, subjects used this pen needle with their own pen device for all daily insulin injections they usually administered themselves with a pen device. Subjects followed their usual insulin regimen and there was no upper limit on total daily insulin dosage or number of injections. Subjects were directed to use pinch-up when injecting in the abdomen or thigh with the 8mm PN, and no pinch-up at other injection sites.

Other names: BD Ultra-Fine™ Short pen needle, Catalog number 320109

5mm x 31G pen needle

Device

For 3 weeks, subjects used this pen needle with their own pen device for all daily insulin injections they usually administered themselves with a pen device. Subjects followed their usual insulin regimen and there was no upper limit on total daily insulin dosage or number of injections. Subjects were advised to inject straight in when using the 5mm PN, with no pinch up.

Other names: BD Ultra-Fine™ Mini pen needle, Catalog Number 320119

Primary outcomes

  1. Percent (%) Absolute Change in Fructosamine

    Time frame: 3 weeks per pen needle, from visit 2-3 and visit 3-4.

    Within each study arm (4mm / 5mm PN, or 4mm / 8mm PN) subjects used one pen needle (PN) for 3 weeks then switched to the alternate PN for the next three weeks, for a total of 6 weeks. The principal endpoint measure of glycemic control is the percent absolute change in serum fructosamine concentration, based on the fructosamine (FRU) concentration measured in micromoles per liter (umol/L) at the end of each three week period. The change was calculated according to the following formula:

    Percent absolute change in FRU, or %|∆ FRU|= 100*[FRU(4mm)-FRU(5 or 8mm)]/[FRU(5 or 8mm)].

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percent Absolute Change in Fructosamine, by Dose Group

    Time frame: 3 weeks per pen needle, from visit 2-3 and visit 3-4.

    Glycemic control was determined separately for each insulin dose group in the same manner as described for the primary outcome measure, according to the following formula:

    %|∆ FRU|= 100*[FRU(4mm)-FRU(5 or 8mm)]/[FRU(5 or 8mm)].

  2. Number of Subjects With Severe Unexplained Hypoglycemic Events

    Time frame: During 3 weeks using each pen needle

    Severe Unexplained Hypoglycemia is defined as an event in which the subject's blood glucose is below 50 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and/or they required assistance from another person for treatment and there is no identified cause (for example, the subject skipped a meal). These events were also reported as Adverse Events.

  3. Number of Subjects With Severe Unexplained Hyperglycemic Events

    Time frame: During 3 weeks using each pen needle

    Severe Unexplained Hyperglycemia is defined as requiring a visit to the emergency room or hospitalization and/or having a blood glucose value above 450mg/dL without an identified cause (for example, the subject missed an insulin dose). These events were also reported as Adverse Events.

  4. Relative Injection Pain Score Assessed by Subject

    Time frame: Visit 4: 18-24 days after starting 2nd pen needle

    After using the second assigned pen needle (PN) for 3 weeks, subjects used a 150mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to rate the pain of the second PN relative to the first PN. The VAS was anchored at the center (0mm) with "as painful", and at the extreme ends with "much less painful" (-75mm) and "much more painful" (+75mm). VAS scores were adjusted for the order of PN use, such that a positive score means that the 4mm PN was scored as more painful than the reference PN (5mm or 8mm), and a negative score indicates that the 4mm PN was less painful than the reference.

Other outcomes

  1. Percentage of Subjects With at Least One Leakage Event

    Time frame: each PN was used for 3 weeks

    After each insulin injection with a study pen needle, subjects recorded in their study diary if they observed insulin leakage from the injection site. Subjects were not required to make a diary entry if there was no leakage.

  2. Reported Injection Site Leakage Events, by Pen Needle Type and Droplet Size

    Time frame: each PN was used for 3 weeks

    If insulin leakage from the injection site was observed, subjects rated the size of the leakage droplet based on a visual scale provided in their diaries. Scores of 1+, 2+, 3+, and 4+ correspond to droplet sizes of 1, 10, 20 and 50 ul, respectively. Droplets larger than those shown on the scale were scored as 5+. Subjects were not required to make a diary entry if there was no leakage.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Glycemic Control Among Diabetics Using the 4mm x 32G BD Pen Needle Versus the 8mm x 31G BD Pen Needle and the 5mm x 31G BD Pen Needle

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Jun 25, 2009
Registry last updated
Oct 20, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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