AADE Survey: Taking Insulin Is a Hardship on Many—and They’re Reluctant to Talk About It With Caregivers

Results from a Harris survey commissioned by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) show that people with diabetes who must take insulin often struggle with dread and negative impacts on their lives because of it. But more than half of them—52 percent—are reluctant to share their concerns with their healthcare providers.

The “Injection Impact Report” survey, which was conducted online between June 12 and July 7, surveyed 502 people with diabetes who inject insulin using either a syringe or a pen. The survey also queried healthcare professionals who treat people with diabetes who inject insulin, including 101 primary care physicians (PCPs), 100 endocrinologists, and 100 diabetes educators.

Among the findings:

• 33 percent of respondents have experienced some level of dread related to insulin injections (eight percent strongly agreed/and 25 percent somewhat agreed)
• 14 percent of those surveyed feel that insulin injections have a negative impact on their life (three percent experience a major negative impact and 11 percent experience a moderate negative impact)
• More than 29 percent of the people surveyed feel that injecting insulin is the hardest aspect of their diabetes care (eight percent strongly agreed and 21 percent somewhat agreed).
• 52 percent do not proactively discuss their concerns regarding the physical and emotional aspects of injecting with their healthcare provider.

See more.