Benefits

How well does it work?

An insulin pump helps manage diabetes by attempting to mimic the function of a
normal pancreas which releases insulin continuously on a daily basis. The small
computerised device is programmed to administer a specific amount of insulin at
a constant rate for 24 hours which is controlled by the user. The amount of
insulin required vary depending on factors such as exercise and activity level.
An insulin pump has shown to have many benefits compared to insulin injections
as people with diabetes experience fewer wide fluctuations of blood glucose
levels and hypoglycaemic episodes than those who take injections. An insulin
pump also enables people to have the ability to receive an accurate amount of
insulin needed to match their lifestyle instead of receiving painful injections and
altering their lifestyle based on how well the insulin is working.

Figure 3. OneTouch Ping Insulin Pump

The significant advantage of using an insulin pump is having lower A1c levels
proving that the insulin pump can control the amount of sugar levels in the
blood. There are fewer injections involved with using a pump with statistics
showing that people who have multiple daily injections can add up to more than
a thousand needle sticks per year whereas an insulin pump require an infusion
set changed a hundred times a year. The insulin pump also provides more
flexibility as some pumps such as the OneTouch Ping shown in Fig. 3 are
designed to fit the schedule changes on a day- to- day basis by giving people the
option to adjust the insulin at any time. This increases the quality of life as it
gives people the freedom to be more flexible instead of having to clock watch
their glucose levels. The function of the insulin pump has been so successful that
people of all ages with type 2 diabetes have started to use the pump as well and
have not gone back to injections ever since.
How widely used is it?
Insulin pump therapy is widely used by people of all ages with type 1 diabetes
throughout the world, however in Australia the demand for insulin pumps are
increasing but there has been a decrease in supply as funds from the

Government funded Insulin Pump Program are being allocated to ongoing

consumables. There are currently more than 14, 000 insulin pump users around
Australia with approximately 12% of people with type 1 diabetes. However,
accessibility is a problem in Australia as who are disadvantaged cannot start
insulin pump therapy or get management support.
Access to insulin pumps is growing but the process is slow as 25% of people with
type 1 diabetes in the USA use insulin pump therapy. A program has been
established to improve access and 611 young people had access to an insulin
pump.
Currently, hospital admission is required to be able to undergo insulin pump
therapy and a multidisciplinary team including dietitians, diabetes educator and
endocrinologist trained in pump therapy. However, Australia has a limited supply
of professionals trained in this area as only a small percentage is trained and are
able to initiate and monitor insulin pump therapy.
What are the limitations?
Although insulin pumps improve well being, there are some limitations involved
with insulin pump therapy such as the risk of skin infections at the catheter site.
The risk of local infections is high and requires regular antibiotic treatment to
reduce the chance of getting an infection. The price can be a major concern for
the insulin pump users as they are expensive with the additional cost of supplies
and equipment.

Figure 4. Insulin pump attached to a diabetic

Insulin pumps are attached to the body shown in fig. 4 which is bothersome as
they can restrict certain movements preventing diabetics from playing popular
sports. It can also malfunction as the catheter can detach from the site also
known as diabetic ketoacidosis (KDA) and so no insulin is provided for hours.
Frequent hospital visits will also be required to train the diabetic and this can

become a hassle as it interferes with their daily schedule. The disadvantages of

an insulin pump not only affect the diabetic physically but also mentally as they
will constantly be attached to the pump which can lower their self- esteem.
Social insecurity can occur as a result of using the insulin pump because they
may constantly need to explain why they have a device attached to them thus
letting people know they have diabetes. Weight gain is the most common side
effect when using an insulin pump with an average of 4.5kg gained during
treatment and this can significantly reduce their self- confidence. Hypoglycaemia
episodes are also possible where the diabetic may lose consciousness and will
need assistance from others; this can lower their social life as they will always
need to rely on someone.

Disadcv, bad things, fautly, restricts movement, prevents sport outing, social
insecurity

How well?
http://www.joslin.org/info/the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_an_insulin_pum
p.html
https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/news/13542?type=articles
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-andcare/medication/insulin/advantages-of-using-an-insulin-pump.html ---http://www.animas.ca/advantage-of-insulin-pump
http://www.hadassah-med.com/medical-care/departments/obstetrics-andgynecology-ein-karem/giving-birth-at-hadassah-ein-karem/high-riskpregnancy/gestational-diabetes/risks-and-disadvantages-of-treatment-with-aninsulin-pump
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-andcare/medication/insulin/disadvantages-of-using-an.html