THE SAFETY OF INJECTING INSULIN THROUGH CLOTHING

OBJECTIVE - Many of the ''antiseptic'' practices recommended by health care professionals for insulin injection have been successfully chall enged as unnecessary Since people with diabetes have long been observe d to inject their insulin through their clothing, this study was under taken to determine the safety and perceived benefits of administering insulin by this ''rogue'' technique. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Fif ty people with insulin-treated diabetes were randomized into a 20-week single-blinded prospective crossover study comparing the conventional subcutaneous injection technique (with skin preparation) to an experi mental injection technique through clothing. Skin assessment, glycated hemoglobin levels, and leukocyte count were determined before randomi zation, at 10 weeks (before crossover), and again at 20 weeks (at comp letion). The participants injected through a single layer of fabric, w hich ranged from nylon to denim. Problems, benefits, type of clothing, and other comments were recorded by the subjects in an injection log. RESULTS - Forty-two (84%) subjects completed the study. The mean age was 41 years (range, 23-63 years), 50% were women, 86% were Caucasian, and 80% had type I diabetes. The mean duration of diabetes was 14 yea rs (range, 1-33 years). Fifty-one percent had >16 years of education. The demographic characteristics of thr dropouts were similar to those who completed the study. Over the 20-week period similar to 13,720 inj ections were performed by participants. None of the subjects experienc ed erythema, induration, or abscess at injection sites. Neither the gl ycated hemoglobin levels nor the leukocyte counts differed between the conventional and experimental regimens. During the injection-through- clothing phase of the study only minor problems, such as blood stains on clothing and bruising, were recorded in the logbooks. However, subj ects reported that injection through clothing offered benefits such as convenience and sating time. CONCLUSIONS - It is safe and convenient to inject insulin through clothing.