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Results of Our Insulin Pump Survey

Linda von Wartburg

Jun 21, 2007

The results of our pump survey are in, and we had 841 respondents! Clearly, people are passionate about pumping, both pro and con. In fact, they seem to be more passionate about pumping than about sex, judging by the far greater response we got to this survey than we did to our survey about women and sex!

There were many many comments made, as well as many worthwhile suggestions about how to improve pumps. Those comments will be brought to you in a follow-up article in our next issue. Now, to the results.

Pumper Particulars

Six hundred and eight of those surveyed are on the pump, and 233 use multiple daily injections. Fifty-one percent of pumpers use Novolog in their pump; 43 percent use Humalog; four percent use Apidra; and one percent use Regular. Forty-four percent bolus when they eat. Thirteen percent bolus after they eat; eleven percent bolus ten minutes before eating; and one percent bolus thirty minutes before they eat. Thirty-two percent bolus depending on their blood sugar reading.

Thirty-six percent of pumpers check their blood sugar five to six times a day. Twenty-eight percent check seven to eight times daily; twenty percent check more than nine times a day; and fourteen percent check three to four times a day. Two percent check only one to two times daily.

When calculating their insulin dose, 84 percent of pumpers estimate their carbs and dose accordingly. Twelve percent weigh their food exactly and calculate very carefully, but five percent just guess and wing it.

Eighty-six percent of pumpers feel that they are in better emotional shape since going on the pump.

Thirteen percent use a continuous glucose monitor in addition to a pump. Of those who don't, 57 percent don't use a CGM because they can't afford one. Thirteen percent don't want anything else attached to them, and five percent don't think it would help them.

Fifty-one percent of pumpers have experienced a pump malfunction, but only thirty percent worry about the possibility of a malfunction. Fourteen percent have had a problem with crimping of their infusion set.

Seventeen percent think that a pump is more work than multiple daily injections, but 83 percent don't. Forty-four percent wish their pump had additional features. Their suggestions regarding how to improve pumps are very insightful, and we will bring those suggestions to you in another article next issue.

Non-Pumpers Numbers

Of the 233 respondents not on the pump, 87 percent have never tried it, but thirteen percent tried it and returned to multiple daily injections. Twenty percent would like to be on the pump, but cannot afford it. Twelve percent would be on the pump if their doctor would agree to prescribe one for them.

Regarding reasons for not being on the pump, 27 percent of non-pumpers do not like the idea of being hooked up to a machine. Ten percent believe that pumping would be no better for them than multiple daily injections. Nine percent just haven't gotten around to it, and three percent don't want to count carbs. Another three percent think a pump would be inconvenient, and six percent think a pump is too public and obvious. Two percent believe that the pump would malfunction, and two percent think a pump is too hard to use.

Of non-pumpers, 34 percent check their blood glucose five to six times a day. 29 percent check it three to four times daily; Eighteen percent check it seven to eight times daily; nine percent check it once or twice, and nine percent check it more than nine times daily.

Upcoming Insights

Be sure to look for our pump article next issue, when we'll discuss your many thoughtful suggestions about how to improve pumps.

Editor's Note: In cases where the individual percentages do not add up to 100 percent, the remaining answers were "Not Applicable."

Categories: Blood Glucose, Blood Sugar, Food, Insulin, Insulin Pumps, Type 1 Issues