Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Therapeutic education (TE) on injection techniques and zooning is a key step for any insulin-treated patient. Our study’s objective was to evaluate the role of ET and the number of sessions required to prevent lipodystrophies (LD).

Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective study including any diabetic insulin-treated patient for more than 6 months, followed in our unit between February 2015 and June 2017. Patients responded to a questionnaire regarding the number of zooning therapeutic education sessions and the characteristics of these sessions. The clinical examination examined for the presence of LD. The statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS software.

Results: During the period mentioned, 1000 insulin patients were included, with a sex ratio of 2F/1H. The average age was 42±20 years. The average age of diabetes was 9.6 years (from 6 months to 37 years). The average duration of insulin therapy was 5.7 years (6 months to 37 years). The types of diabetes were: type 2 diabetes in 60% of patients, type 1 diabetes in 38% of patients and 2% slow type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of LD was 48%. Regarding S.D., 90% of patients received sessions with a number of one to two sessions in 55% of patients, 3 to 4 sessions in 30% of patients, and 5% more than 4 S.D. sessions. Among patients who received 1 to four education sessions, 45% had LD with P=0.33, while in patients receiving more than 4 sessions, LD was objectified in only 35% with P=0.008.

Conclusion: Therapeutic zooning education is essential when starting insulin therapy, but in order to prevent LD, at least 4 S.D. sessions are required, hence the need to reassess knowledge at each consultation.