Reluctance of patients with diabetes mellitus to insulin therapy; psychological insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate factors resulting in reluctance of initiation of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Medical OPD of a private tertiary care multi-specialty hospital in Islamabad, from Apr to Jul 2019. Methodology: Patients with diabetes mellitus between age of 30-70 years, who had poor glycaemic control on two oral anti-diabetic drugs having HbA1c>9% and were insulin naïve, were included in this study. A validated questionnaire was developed which had two sections; first including the demographic data of the study populations and second having closed-ended dichotomous questions which were asked from patients by the treating physicians Results: A total of 180 patients with diabetes mellitus eligible for insulin therapy were included in the study, among them 52 (28.9%) were agreed to initiate the insulin. Negative attitude and beliefs include painful way of administration 85 (66.4%), difficult insulin storage 98 (76.6%), risk of hypoglycemia 82 (64.1%).The mean negative perception Score was 7.35 (SD 0.98). Conclusion: Psychological insulin resistance is present in significant diabetic population, and it is a big obstacle in insulin therapy initiation and compliance.