Prevalence and reasons for insulin refusal in Bangladeshi patients with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes in East London.

AIMS: To determine the prevalence and reasons for refusal to commence insulin in Bangladeshi patients with Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: A survey of 212 Bangladeshi patients seen in a hospital diabetes unit, with poor glycaemic control (HbA(1c)>or= 8.0%) on maximum oral glucose-lowering therapy, in whom insulin was deemed necessary. Patients who refused insulin were invited to attend focus groups. Data were analysed by thematic content analysis using the constant comparative method.

RESULTS: Of 212 patients offered insulin, 122 (57.5%) commenced insulin immediately, 47 (22.1%) started insulin within 6 months and 43 (20.3%) refused to commence insulin despite repeated counselling. Thirty-six (83.7%) of those who refused insulin agreed to participate in focus groups. Reasons for insulin refusal included: disease severity--perceptions that requirement for insulin was an indicator of a more serious stage of their condition; insulin leading to premature death--common suggestion that commencing insulin led to early death; loss of control--including fear of hypoglycaemia, weight gain, loss of independence and reliance on others to give insulin or look for signs of hypoglycaemia; lack of perception of benefits--poor perception of the benefits of improved glycaemic control on quality of life and cardiovascular risk; needle anxiety--a significant proportion of subjects conveyed concern over frequent injections.

CONCLUSIONS: Insulin refusal is common in Bangladeshi subjects with Type 2 diabetes and poor glycaemic control. A number of factors contribute to this, and methods to overcome the barriers to insulin therapy need to be sought.