Transferring elderly type 2 patients to insulin: a prospective study of diabetes nurses', physicians' and patients' perceptions

Abstract

Abstract We have prospectively studied the decision and expectations associated with starting insulin for elderly type 2 patients. Thirty consecutive patients who were referred to start insulin were studied; most started treatment promptly though more than 25% experienced delays of more than three months. Patients, diabetes nurses and physicians did not differ in their reasons for starting insulin though there were differences in treatment goals, with physicians, but not nurses or patients, identifying glucose level targets as important aims of treatment ( p < 0.05). Most patients injected insulin twice daily, and performed regular capillary glucose monitoring, but hypoglycaemia was not a problem. We conclude that elderly patients differ from health professionals in their expectations of insulin, but that with careful patient selection this treatment is a safe option for elderly patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.