Evaluation of the juniorSTAR® half-unit insulin pen in young people with type 1 diabetes - user perspectives

This paper discusses the results of a survey on the usability of a new half-unit insulin pen, JuniorSTAR® (CE mark pending, under the responsibility of Haselmeier), in children with type 1 diabetes. Insulin pen devices have advantages over the traditional vial-and-syringe method of insulin delivery, including improved patient satisfaction and adherence, greater ease of use and superior accuracy, especially when delivering small doses of insulin. The accuracy and design of insulin pens is particularly important in the paediatric population. Young children often require half-unit adjustments. As the incidence of type 1 diabetes is expected to increase in the coming years in children less than 5 years old, a higher use of half-unit dosing pens may be anticipated. A survey with JuniorSTAR half-unit insulin pen has shown that it is easy to use, read, carry and dial back. This was confirmed by patients and also by nurses. In conclusion, the JuniorSTAR half-unit pen is well suited to the lifestyle of young people with type 1 diabetes and could help them to gain autonomy to self-inject.