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Multiple daily injections (MDI) is one form of treatment for people with T1D in Australia.
It involves the administration of three or more insulin injections per day:
Long-acting insulin |
Short acting (rapid) insulin |
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Overview |
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Recommended administration |
 One injection in the evening |
 One injection before each meal |
While the use of long-acting insulin via multiple daily injections is a standard treatment option for many people T1D, it has its limitations, including:
Self-monitoring
Glucose monitoring is an essential part of self-care for people with T1D.5 Many people with T1D who receive multiple daily injections self-monitor their blood glucose.2 Self-monitoring can be tedious, as it requires people to check their glucose before eating, exercise and performing critical tasks, at bedtime, after treating low blood glucose, or when low blood glucose is expected. 2 In order for self-monitoring to be effective, it requires active engagement from the person with diabetes and their healthcare professional.5
The finger-prick method is a common self-monitoring approach. It provides a snapshot of the glucose level at a particular moment in time.5
Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
Continuous glucose monitors provide an efficient and effective way for people to monitor blood glucose in real time. A CGM is a small, wearable device that continuously measures glucose levels and provides trends and patterns throughout the day and night. It relies on interstitial fluid (rather than blood samples) to provide measurements.5
Research has shown that:
A smart MDI system is one that is based on traditional MDI, but instead, uses a ‘smart’ pen to administer insulin. The smart MDI system by Medtronic also includes a continuous glucose monitor, which is linked to an App. The system offers real-time CGM, with predictive glucose alerts and personalised insulin dosing via insulin tracking, a dose calculator and dose reminders.
An alternative to MDI is insulin pump therapy, also called continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Compared with MDI, this type of treatment mimics the physiological function of a normal pancreas and can provide:
Insulin pump therapy uses only rapid-acting insulin, which is absorbed more predictably and precisely than multiple daily injections.
On average, people who use an insulin pump will have 90% fewer injections per month*
*Based on four injections per day for 30 days and one infusion set change every 2-3 days
1. Thomas MG et al. Diabetes Obes Metab 2021; 1-8. DOI: 10.1111/dom.14498
2. Bergenstal RM et al. JAMA 2016; 316:1408.
3. Garg SK et al. Diabetes Technol Ther 2017; 19:155-63.
4. Kaufman FR et al. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:311-20.
5. Diabetes Australia Position Statement. Glucose self-monitoring in adults with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. 2017. Available from: https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Glucose-position...
6. Australian Diabetes Society. Living Evidence Guidelines in Diabetes. 2023. Available from: https://www.diabetessociety.com.au/living-evidence-guidelines-in-diabetes
7. Data on file. Data collected by an independent Diabetes Educator. 8. Grose DN et al. Practical Diabetes. 2018;35(5 September). 9. MiniMed® 770G System user guide. 10. Karges B et al. JAMA 2017;318(14):1358–1366. 11. Bode BW et al. Diab Care. 1996;19:324-327. 12. Lauritzen T et al. Diabetologia. 1983;24(5):326–329. 13. Heise T et al. Diabetes. 2004;53(6):1614–1620.
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