Comparative Pain Score (Numeric Rating Scale-II) Analysis of Pre-existing and a Newly Introduced 4 mm Pen Needles in Indian Population with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background: For the majority of people with diabetes, one of the main reasons for denying or delaying insulin therapy is an extreme fear of pain during insulin injections. However, in this digital era, quantum leaps in needle technologies open novel avenues for painless injections. Aim: The longitudinal observational study, conducted in a comprehensive diabetes care center in Kerala, India, evaluates the effectiveness of a recently introduced 4 mm needle and 4 mm needles hitherto in India to reduce pain during insulin injection in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and T2DM using the numeric rating scale (NRS-II) pain score. Results: The statistical analyses revealed that the newly introduced 4 mm needle significantly reduced pain in the cohort with type 2 diabetes compared to the existing 4 mm needles routinely used by the cohort. Regarding the cohort with type 1 diabetes, even though the use of the newly introduced needle reduced pain while taking injections, the NRS-II pain score was not statistically significant, which may be due to the small sample size, noncompliance to advanced needle technologies. The study also analyzes the influence of demographic factors on the pain score. Conclusion: In the wholesome attempt, the study urges using advanced needle technologies for painless insulin injections and improved diabetes management.