EVALUATION OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF THE MINIMED VARIABLE-RATE IMPLANTABLE INSULIN PUMP

We examined the psychosocial impact of treatment with an implantable i nsulin pump among persons with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (ID DM). Of specific interest was whether use of the MiniMed implantable i nsulin pump (MIP) resulted in changes in functional status, performanc e of diabetes self-care behavior, psychologic symptoms, and perceived level of stress. From a sample of 36 patients with IDDM, 10 persons we re randomly selected to receive the MIP, while the remaining 26 served as control subjects. Additionally, a nonrandom sample of three MIP re cipients from an additional site were included in the MIP group. At re gular assessment intervals, all participants completed self-report que stionnaires regarding psychosocial functioning and monitored blood glu cose levels. After 4 months of MIP use, MIP recipients did not signifi cantly differ from control subjects on any measure of psychosocial fun ctioning; however, MIP use did have an impact on diabetes self-care. T he MIP users monitored their blood glucose levels more frequently and had lower average blood glucose levels than control subjects. Addition al follow-up is needed to determine the long-term psychosocial impact of implantable insulin pump therapy.