Exploring patients' perceptions for insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: a Brazilian and Canadian qualitative study

• Published in: Patient preference and adherence Vol. 4; pp. 171 - 179
• Main Authors: Guimarães, Camila, Marra, Carlo A, Gill, Sabrina, Meneilly, Graydon, Simpson, Scot, Godoy, Ana Lpc, Foss de, Maria Cristina, Freitas, Queiroz, Regina Hc, Lynd, Larry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Taylor & Francis Ltd 21-07-2010; Dove Press; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Diabetes; Focus groups; glycemic control; Hypoglycemia; Insulin; insulin administration; Original Research; patients' preferences; Qualitative research; qualitative study; type 2 diabetes; weight gain; Brazil; Canada; patients’ preferences; type 2 diabetes; glycemic control; hypoglycemia; weight gain; qualitative study; insulin administration
• ISSN: 1177-889X; 1177-889X
• DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s10178

To explore which attributes of insulin therapy drive patients' preferences for management in Canada and Brazil.
A qualitative design was implemented in which a total of 32 patients with type 2 diabetes from Canada and Brazil, were interviewed in one of the 4 focus groups, or 16 individual interviews. Eighteen participants (56%) were women and fourteen participants (44%) were men (15 insulin nonusers and 17 insulin users). Two focus groups of 4 participants each and 9 individual interviews were conducted in Brazil. In Canada, 2 focus groups of 4 participants each and 7 individual interviews were conducted. A framework analysis was used to analyse all data.
Brazilian participants, when considering two insulin treatments, would prefer the one that had fewer side-effects (specially hypoglycemia events), was noninjectable, had the lowest cost and was most effective. Meanwhile, Canadian participants would prefer a treatment that had fewer side-effects (specially weight gain), was less invasive, was more convenient and was most effective.
Finding the insulin-delivery system and the attributes of insulin therapy that best meet patients' preferences may lead to improved control, through improved compliance, which may ultimately reduce the financial burden of the disease and improve quality of life.