Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), the largest organisation of diabetes healthcare professionals and researchers in Asia, has endorsed FIT (Forum for Injection Technique) India recommendations for best practice in insulin injection technique.

The initiative is expected to benefit over 2 million diabetes patients with regard to long time insulin and insulin-like therapy adherence, smooth drug delivery and minimise adverse side effects.

“Type 2 diabetes cases are on the rise in every country. With early diagnosis and longer life span, there is an increasing likelihood to use injectable therapies to control the condition. Therefore it becomes extremely important that standard insulin techniques and best practices are adopted across the country on par with global standards,” said Prof S V Madhu, professor & head, department of medicine & endocrinology, UCMS-GTB Hospital & president, RSSDI.

The development of FIT and the subsequent India recommendations for injection technique have been supported by prominent medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson & Co. (BD India).

Dr Rajeev Chawla, senior consultant diabetologist and secretary, RSSDI said that poor technique, use of an inappropriate needle length, failure to rotate injection sites and re-use of needles, can lead to insulin being absorbed in an unpredictable manner. This could potentially lead to complications such as hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia and even ketoacidosis in patients with type 1 diabetes. Injection technique addresses all these factors, and more.

As per the FIT recommendations, special emphasis is to be given to counter complications arising out of incorrect usage of injections and usage in special groups like elderly population, pregnant women and those with weak immunity. It also suggests correct injection technique that can help protect against lipohypertrophy (or lump formation), unexplained hypoglycemia and blood glucose variation.

Estimate suggests out of 67 million diabetes patients living in India, 3 million use injections. Doctors feel that the rate of insulinization is low in India. This is a road block in the optimal management of diabetes because of fear of needles and lifelong dependence on insulin. It is estimated that two thirds (64 per cent) of insulin users develop lipohypertrophy at some time in their lives that can result in varied absorption and consequent erratic glycaemic control, according to RSSDI.

“For patients, the understanding and practice of correct injection technique has the potential to make a real difference to their lives, helping to deliver their insulin more consistently, reduce discomfort and minimise the risk of developing associated complications such as lipohypertrophy,” said Dr. Laurence Hirsch, vice president, global medical affairs, diabetes care at BD.