What is an insulin pump?

An insulin pump is a battery-operated, computerised device the size of a cell phone. It administers quick-acting insulin from an ampoule in the insulin pump via an ultra-thin plastic catheter, which is inserted subcutaneously and attached with plaster/tape. (Slow-acting insulin is not given in treatment with an insulin pump). The insulin pump can be programmed to mimic the pancreas gland’s release of insulin with basal and bolus insulin.

Basal insulin is the amount of insulin that the pump is programmed to release continuously day and night, and which covers the body’s basic insulin need. In connection with main meals and snacks, when the body needs extra insulin, the pump is activated to deliver bolus insulin. The dosage of bolus insulin is determined by the carbohydrate intake and the current level of blood sugar.

The pump has an internal memory, which makes it possible to download data from the pump to a PC, e.g. the times and amounts of bolus insulin and daily total doses. It also has a practical alarm system.

Advantages
• The risk of hypoglycaemia is reduced when the insulin dose can be adjusted to the needs of the individual patient
• Increased flexibility in the composition of meals, meal times and physical activity.
The need for insulin is reduced by 15-20 %, possibly more
• The patient avoids several daily injections – the plastic catheter is replaced every third day
• Many pump users obtain improved regulation of their diabetes, and that in itself has a beneficial effect on the course of the disease in the longer term

Disadvantages of insulin pump treatment
• Diabetic acidosis can develop in the course of 12 hours if the supply of insulin stops, and it is therefore important to measure the blood glucose to avoid this
• Insulin pump treatment is expensive.
• In patients with very sensitive skin there is a risk of skin problems caused by the plaster
• The psychological aspect must be taken into consideration, since patients may find that the pump makes their diabetes visible.