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[Shin-Min Joon, Edaily Reporter] Huons announced on the 8th that a real world clinical study on its fourth generation smart insulin pen, DIA:CONN P8, has been published in the September issue of the Diabetes & Metabolism Journal (DMJ) the official journal of the Korean Diabetes Association.

Professor Jae Hyeon Kim, Samsung Medical Center (Left) and Professor So Yoon Kwon, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center (Right). (Image=Huons)

DMJ is an international journal indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). The published article is titled “Effectiveness of the Stage 4 Smart Insulin Pen DIA:CONN P8 for Glycemic Control in a Real World Setting.”

The study was led by Professor Soyoon Kwon and diabetes nurse educator Hyosun Kwak from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Daegu Catholic University Hospital, along with Professor Jaehyun Kim from the Department of Endocrinology at Samsung Medical Center.

The research team analyzed the effectiveness of the smart insulin pen compared to conventional insulin pens in 42 adult diabetes patients (including both type 1 and type 2) who were on Multiple Daily Injections (MDI). All patients received Diabetes Self Management Education (DSME) and were then divided into two groups 21 using conventional insulin pens and 21 using the smart pen. Their blood glucose metrics were monitored over a two-week period using Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM).

The results showed that the smart pen group had 11.0% more time in range (70~180 mg/dL) compared to the conventional pen group. Time spent in hypoglycemia (TBR <70 mg/dL) was 2.6% lower and time in severe hypoglycemia (TBR <54 mg/dL) was reduced by 9%.

The Glycemic Risk Index (GRI) which comprehensively evaluates the risks of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, was also 18.2 points lower in the smart pen group.

According to the paper the average education time for the smart pen group was 3.4 hours, shorter than the 4.2 hours for the conventional pen group.

Nevertheless the smart pen group showed better glycemic control. This result contrasts with concerns from some users that smart insulin pens might be more difficult to use.

Professor Soyoon Kwon explained “The glucose lowering effect of the smart insulin pen is thanks to its automatic bolus (post meal insulin) calculation and the ability to track residual insulin in the body when used in conjunction with CGM. Patients can administer insulin precisely without complex calculations and avoid duplicate dosing, which helps reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.”

Professor Jaehyun Kim stated “This study is the first in Korea to demonstrate the glycemic benefits of smart insulin pens. Compared to costly insulin pumps smart pens offer a more affordable option while still providing patients with pump level glucose management benefits.”

DIA:CONN P8 is Korea’s first fourth generation smart insulin pen for diabetes and glucose management. It connects with CGMs like Dexcom G7 and integrates with the DIA:CONN diabetes management platform allowing users to view real time data on recent glucose levels and active insulin status.

It also automatically calculates post meal insulin (bolus) requirements to help prevent hypoglycemia. Huons launched the DIA:CONN P8 in 2023 under an exclusive domestic partnership with G2E.