A Comparison of Insulin Injection Needles on Patients' Perceptions of Pain, Handling, and Acceptability: A Randomized, Open-Label, Crossover Study in Subjects with Diabetes

Abstract Background: For some diabetes patients, subcutaneous injections are associated with pain, discomfort, and anxiety. We compared overall preferences of two needle types: NovoFine® 32-gauge tip × 6 mm and NovoFine 30-gauge × 8 mm, when used with the FlexPen® injection device (all from Novo Nordisk A/S [Copenhagen, Denmark] and Novo Nordisk Ltd. [Crawley, UK]). Methods: In this randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover trial in 119 insulin-treated patients with type 1 (22%) or 2 diabetes, patients injected their usual insulin with one needle type followed by the alternative, each for 7–14 days. Needle preference and perceptions of pain, handling, and acceptance were assessed using a questionnaire after use of each needle. Results: Overall, 58% preferred the NovoFine 32-gauge tip, 26% preferred NovoFine 30-gauge tip, while 16% had no preference (P 40 (I)U/day and two or fewer or more than two injections/day all preferred NovoFine 32-gauge tip ov...