Appropriate insulin injection technique is essential for effective diabetes management, yet pen needle reuse remains common despite single-use recommendations. A cross-sectional online survey published in Diabetes Therapy examined pen needle reuse patterns, reasons for reuse, and factors that may influence behavior change among adults using insulin pens.

The survey included 500 U.S. adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who injected insulin at least twice daily and reused pen needles at least twice before replacement. Approximately 70% reported using a needle two to five times, while nearly 30% reported six or more uses, with higher reuse observed among participants with T1DM.

Although 86.8% reported receiving initial education on insulin injection, follow-up reinforcement appeared limited. Injection sites were never examined by a healthcare professional (HCP) in 73.6% of participants, the injection technique was never reviewed in 72.8%, and 66.2% reported that HCPs had never asked about injection-site problems.

The most frequently reported reasons for reuse included convenience (64.2%), habit (46.2%), environmental or waste concerns (40.8%), and cost (40.6%). Educational messages related to glycated hemoglobin (A1c) improvement and lipohypertrophy prevention were reported as most motivating for change. Endocrinologists were identified as the most trusted information source, followed by primary care physicians, diabetes care and education specialists, and peers.

Pen needle reuse was widespread in this cohort, and initial education alone did not appear sufficient to address ongoing reuse behaviors.