Glycaemic benefits of smart insulin pens in socioeconomically deprived individuals: a single-Centre study.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in diabetes technologies, disparities in access and uptake persist across socioeconomic and ethnic groups, further exacerbating health inequalities. Smart insulin pens (SIPs) are a cost-effective and accessible technology that provide insights into insulin dosing frequency and adherence patterns. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of SIP use on glycaemic outcomes in individuals with diabetes from predominantly socioeconomically deprived backgrounds. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, single-centre observational study of 42 adults prescribed NovoPen® 6 or NovoPen Echo® Plus. Demographic, clinical, glycaemic and insulin dosing metrics were analysed. Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed using the Pobal Deprivation Index. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: The median age was 56.0 years (IQR 37.0–64.0), 22 participants (52.4%) were female, 28 (66.7%) had type 1 diabetes mellitus, and mean baseline HbA1c was 89.3 mmol/mol (±20.2). Most participants (68.3%) were in lower to middle SES categories. After a median follow-up of 16 weeks (IQR 8.3–30.0), SIP use was associated with improvements in glycaemic metrics including mean time in range (8.9%, p = 0.02), time above range (−9.6%, p = 0.04), and HbA1c (−7.7 mmol/mol, p = 0.01). No association was observed between SES and glycaemic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this socioeconomically disadvantaged cohort, SIPs were associated with improved glycaemic outcomes, suggesting they may represent an accessible alternative to more complex diabetes technologies. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness, assess cost-effectiveness, and explore integration with digital health platforms.