Insulin Pen Needle Reuse in U.S. Adults with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study on Patterns, Motivations, and Educational Implications

Effective insulin therapy relies on proper injection technique and the correct use of insulin delivery devices. Despite recommendations for a single-use device, the pen needle reuse remains common. This study explored pen needle reuse patterns, reasons for reuse, and motivators to changing reuse behavior, in order to provide actionable insights for clinical education and patient-support interventions. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 500 U.S. adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) who inject insulin at least twice daily using an insulin pen and use insulin pen needles at least twice before replacing. Approximately 70% of survey participants reported using needles 2–5 times before replacing, and about 30% used them six or more times, with higher reuse among participants with T1D. Despite most participants reporting initial insulin injection education (86.8%), the majority indicated limited follow-up regarding injection practices. Specifically, 73.6% indicated their injection sites were never examined by a healthcare professional (HCP), 72.8% reported their injection technique had never been reviewed, and 66.2% reported their HCP had never asked them about injection site problems. The main reported reasons for needle reuse include convenience (64.2%), habit (46.2%), environmental/waste concern (40.8%), and cost (40.6%). The most motivating educational messages for changing reuse include those around A1c improvement and lipohypertrophy prevention, with the most trusted sources of information being endocrinologists, followed by primary care physicians (PCP), diabetes educators (known in the U.S. as diabetes care and education specialists), and peers. Pen needle reuse is widespread and initial education alone is insufficient. Ongoing reinforcement and messaging from trusted HCPs, particularly around A1c and injection-site outcomes, provide a key opportunity to support behavior change. Giving insulin correctly is important for keeping blood glucose levels well managed and avoiding problems at the injection site (such as lumps, bleeding, bruising, or pain). Despite recommendations for single-use, many people with diabetes reuse their insulin pen needles. This study explored how often people reuse pen needles, why they do it, and what might motivate them to stop reusing. A total of 500 U.S. adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who reported reusing their insulin pen needles took an online survey. About 70% said they use their pen needles 2–5 times before replacing them, and about 30% use them six or more times. People with type 1 diabetes were more likely to use their needles ten or more times. Although most participants received injection technique education when starting on insulin, most have not had a healthcare professional review their injection technique or check their injection sites since. The main reasons for reusing pen needles were convenience, habit, concerns about waste or the environment, and cost. The messages that motivated people most to stop reusing were those about improved A1c levels and fewer injection-site problems. Endocrinologists, primary care doctors, diabetes educators, and peers were the most influential sources of information. These results show that needle reuse is common, and ongoing education and personalized messaging from trusted healthcare professionals about the benefits of using a new needle each time may help people change their behavior.