Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41615565›Full record

Observational studyIrish journal of medical science2026

Glycaemic benefits of smart insulin pens in socioeconomically deprived individuals: a single-Centre study.

Aoife Courtney, Saidhbh Comerford, Lisa Owens

Abstract readObservational Study
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Observational study in Irish journal of medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Aoife CourtneyDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. aoife.courtney@hse.ie.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1340-0534
Saidhbh ComerfordDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Lisa OwensDepartment of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite advances in diabetes technologies, disparities in access and uptake persist across socioeconomic and ethnic groups, further exacerbating health inequalities. Smart insulin pens (SIPs) are a cost-effective and accessible technology that provide insights into insulin dosing frequency and adherence patterns.

aimsTo evaluate the impact of SIP use on glycaemic outcomes in individuals with diabetes from predominantly socioeconomically deprived backgrounds.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study of 42 adults prescribed NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus. Demographic, clinical, glycaemic and insulin dosing metrics were analysed. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using the Pobal Deprivation Index. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and follow-up.

resultsThe median age was 56.0 years (IQR 37.0–64.0), 22 participants (52.4%) were female, 28 (66.7%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus, and mean baseline HbA1c was 89.3 mmol/mol (±20.2). Most participants (68.3%) were in lower to middle SES categories. After a median follow-up of 16 weeks (IQR 8.3–30.0), SIP use was associated with improvements in glycaemic metrics including mean time in range (8.9%, p = 0.02), time above range (−9.6%, p = 0.04), and HbA1c (−7.7 mmol/mol, p = 0.01). No association was observed between SES and glycaemic outcomes.

conclusionsIn this socioeconomically disadvantaged cohort, SIPs were associated with improved glycaemic outcomes, suggesting they may represent an accessible alternative to more complex diabetes technologies. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness, assess cost-effectiveness, and explore integration with digital health platforms.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2Hypoglycemic AgentsInsulinAdultBlood GlucoseFemaleGlycated HemoglobinHumansLow Socioeconomic StatusMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesSocial ClassSocioeconomic Disparities in HealthBlood GlucoseGlycated HemoglobinHypoglycemic AgentsInsulinConnected devicesDiabetes technologyHealth disparitiesSmart insulin pensSocioeconomic status

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.