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. 2008;17(1):1-7.
doi: 10.1297/cpe.17.1. Epub 2008 Feb 14.

Evaluation of the Use of PenNeedle(®) 32G Taper in Children being Treated with Growth Hormone

Shinobu Ida  1 , Norikazu Yoshimura  1 , Mariko Nakacho  1 , Makiko Ota  1 , Hifumi Mine  2 , Hiroko Moriyama  2 , Naoko Terao  2 , Chikako Ueda  2 , Mariko Ohno  2
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Use of PenNeedle(®) 32G Taper in Children being Treated with Growth Hormone

Shinobu Ida et al. Clin Pediatr Endocrinol. 2008.

Abstract

Pain resulting from needle injection is a serious problem for patients that self-administer medication at home. We studied impressions of needle use by comparing PenNeedle® 32G Taper (NovoFine® 32G Tip), developed to reduce the sense of fear and pain of injection, with a conventional needle, in children self-injecting GH. A total of 34 patients self-injected themselves with needles coupled with Norditropin® NordiFlex® pre-filled recombinant human GH, and impressions of use were evaluated by a series of questionnaires. Compared to the conventional needle, PenNeedle 32G Taper was slightly less painful at time of insertion according to patient responses, though the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.06). PenNeedle 32G Taper has the same inner diameter as the conventional needle, thus there was no difference in the pain felt at time of injection between these two needles. Large differences in pain perception between the two needles were not seen probably due to their similar shape and appearance and as the subjects of this study were young. Nevertheless, based on the results of post-study questionnaires, significantly more patients (68%, P=0.02) expressed a desire to use PenNeedle 32G Taper for daily injections of GH. PenNeedle 32G Taper thus appears to be a superior needle which reduces insertion-associated pain in children receiving recombinant GH and improves patient QOL.

Keywords: GH therapy; QOL; needle; pain; self-injection.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Pen needle structure / appearance / size of the needle.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Scatter plot of daily scores. Score ranges from 1 to 5 (1=not at all; 5=most).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Sequential change in response to injection. Score ranges from 1 to 5 (1=not at all; 5=most). ▲PenNeedle 32G Taper, ♦PenNeedle 31G. Mean ± S.E.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Results of the questionnaire undertaken on completion of the study—comparison between PenNeedle 31G and PenNeedle 32G Taper.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Which needle do you prefer for daily injection of GH? (Choose either first needle or second needle) (n=31)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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