Aim: The opinions and attitudes of type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2) insulin users toward their diagnosis, management, treatment and complications as a result of their diabetes were sought. Methods: A bottom-up survey design consisting of 66 open and closed questions was used to determine both positive and negative experiences of patients currently using insulin by injection only. Results: 707 insulin users (71% T1 and 29% T2) predominately from the UK completed the questionnaire. A comparison between T1 and T2 insulin users found that exercise, diet, BG testing and excursions from normoglycaemia were the most common source of difficulty amongst these insulin dependent patients. The majority of T1 participants were found to use a basal bolus insulin regimen (Lantus/Levemir and a short-acting insulin such as Novorapid®, Humalog® or Actrapid® but only 34% of T2 insulin users used a similar system with 35% using biphasic insulin aspart 30 (Novomix®) which may have due to lesser hypoglycaemic events. Conclusions: The results from this survey which focus on the common needs of insulin users show that careful follow-up after diagnosis, frequent testing and education about calorie turnover from intake and exercise are required for both T1 patients but more so for T2 patients whose needs become similar to those of T1 patients once they begin to inject insulin
