New Data Demonstrates Safety, Efficacy Of Insulet’s OmniPod Insulin Management System

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and researchers from the Endocrine Group have concluded that the OmniPod Insulin Management System improved blood glucose control in diabetes patients who previously received insulin through multiple daily injections.

Michael Kane, lead investigator and professor of Pharmacy Practice at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, presented the study results. Data showed that after one year patients using the OmniPod System, who received insulin previously through multiple daily injections, decreased their average A1C levels by 0.49%.

A1C levels are also known as HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin levels. A1C is a laboratory test that is used to measure a patient’s average blood glucose control over a sustained period. The study has demonstrated that 25.5% of patients using the OmniPod System reduced their A1C below 7%, compared to 5.7% of patients prior to use of the OmniPod System.

The OmniPod System was also found to be safe, as there were no differences in episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hypoglycemia requiring assistance among patients during the one-year OmniPod System use, compared to the year prior to starting therapy. The overall acceptance rate for the OmniPod System in the study was 92.2%.

The study also reviewed 12 patients who switched to the OmniPod System from a conventional insulin pump and showed a reduction in average one-year A1C values by 0.2%. Researchers have noted that even the difference was not significant, the results were encouraging and the lack of statistical significance may be attributable to the small sample size of this study.

Jill Abelseth, FACE of the Endocrine Group and study investigator, said: “This study demonstrates the benefits of a tubing-free insulin pump, which can help patients overcome their fear of insertion sets or unsightly tubing and achieve the clinical benefits of insulin pump therapy.

“The high patient acceptance, improved glycemic control and overall safety demonstrated in this study support the use of the OmniPod System for diabetes patients aiming for improved glycemic control.”