Patient Experience with Insulin Pump Therapy and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Miriam Cruz-Andina, Servicio de Urgencias. Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias. Av. Principal de la Universidad, s/n, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. SpainFollow
Juan Pablo Hervás-Pérez, Department of Chemistry in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry Unit. Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid. Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040. Madrid, Spain Follow
Raquel Moreno-Sánchez, University Center for Health Sciences – HM Hospitals (CUHMED), University Camilo José Cela, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain AND HM Hospitals Health Research Institute, 28015 Madrid, Spain Follow
Raquel Caballero de la Calle, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, SpainFollow
Eduardo Cimadevilla Fernández-de Pola, University Center for Health Sciences – HM Hospitals (CUHMED), University Camilo José Cela, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain AND HM Hospitals Health Research Institute, 28015 Madrid, Spain Follow
Clara Lucas-Guerra, University Center for Health Sciences – HM Hospitals (CUHMED), University Camilo José Cela, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain AND HM Hospitals Health Research Institute, 28015 Madrid, Spain Follow
Carlos Ruíz-Núñez, University Center for Health Sciences – HM Hospitals (CUHMED), University Camilo José Cela, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain, HM Hospitals Health Research Institute, 28015 Madrid, Spain; AND Unidad de Innovación, Centro de Emergencias Sanitarias 061, 29590 Málaga, Spain Follow
Ivan Herrera-Peco, University Center for Health Sciences – HM Hospitals (CUHMED), University Camilo José Cela, Urb. Villafranca del Castillo, 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692 Madrid, Spain, HM Hospitals Health Research Institute, 28015 Madrid, Spain; AND Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain Follow

ORCID

Ivan Herrera-Peco: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5183-5679

Abstract

Objective: To examine patient experience with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), incorporating experiential and equity-related dimensions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Spain (February-March 2025) among adults with T1D using CSII (n = 107). An ad hoc 26-item patient-reported experience measure assessed daily-life domains using 0–10 scales, from which a Global Quality of Life index (G-QoL) was computed. Additional items examined access to CSII, education, and ongoing professional support. Group differences were analyzed using non-parametric tests, and experience-based predictors of HRQoL were examined using multiple linear regression. Results: Participants (mean age 40 ± 12 years; 80% women) reported high perceived benefits of CSII across experiential domains. The highest-rated aspects were reduced cognitive load for insulin dosing, greater peace of mind regarding glycaemic control, and increased flexibility in daily activities. The G-QoL score was 7.83 ± 0.83, clearly above the neutral point (p < 0.001), with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.94). Peace of mind and autonomy emerged as the strongest independent predictors of HRQoL, whereas sociodemographic variables explained a modest proportion of variance (R² = 0.12). Greater variability was observed in perceptions of ongoing support and attention to emotional aspects of care. Conclusions: From a patient-experience perspective, CSII supports everyday life by reducing self-management burden and enhancing emotional security and autonomy. However, sustaining these benefits requires equitable access and continuous, person-centered, nurse-led education and follow-up beyond metabolic outcomes.

Recommended Citation

Cruz-Andina M, Hervás-Pérez J, Moreno-Sánchez R, Calle R, Pola E, Lucas-Guerra C, Ruíz-Núñez C, Herrera-Peco I. Patient Experience with Insulin Pump Therapy and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Patient Experience Journal. ; 13(3):393-402. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2184.