Advances in Insulin Pump Infusion Sets Symposium Report

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is becoming increasingly used for achieving target glycemic control as well as providing flexibility in lifestyle. In a widely used version of CSII, the insulin pump itself is attached to one end of an insulin infusion set (IIS), which delivers insulin via a thin flexible plastic tube to the patient's body via a cannula or needle that is inserted under the skin at the other end of the IIS. Despite the increased use of CSII by patients with diabetes, there have been few recent advances in IIS technology, especially when compared to the many recent advances made in insulin pump technology and in insulin pharmacokinetics. To discuss recent developments in, and future plans for IIS development, Diabetes Technology Society virtually hosted the Advances in Insulin Pump Infusion Sets Symposium on December 1, 2020. This symposium featured experts in the field of IISs, including representatives from Medtronic and ConvaTec (which are two manufacturers that are currently developing IISs), Stanford University, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, and Science Consulting in Diabetes. The webinar's six speakers covered (1) patient burden, (2) extended wear technology, and (3) future directions in IIS development.

Improved Glycemic Outcomes With Medtronic MiniMed Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop Delivery: Results From a Randomized Crossover Trial Comparing Automated Insulin Delivery With Predictive Low Glucose Suspend in People With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To study the MiniMed Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop (AHCL) system, which includes an algorithm with individualized basal target set points, automated correction bolus function, and improved Auto Mode stability.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This dual-center, randomized, open-label, two-sequence crossover study in automated-insulin-delivery-naive participants with type 1 diabetes (aged 7-80 years) compared AHCL to sensor-augmented pump therapy with predictive low glucose management (SAP + PLGM). Each study phase was 4 weeks, preceded by a 2- to 4-week run-in and separated by a 2-week washout.

RESULTS

The study was completed by 59 of 60 people (mean age 23.3 ± 14.4 years). Time in target range (TIR) 3.9-10 mmol/L (70-180 mg/dL) favored AHCL over SAP + PLGM (70.4 ± 8.1% vs. 57.9 ± 11.7%) by 12.5 ± 8.5% (P < 0.001), with greater improvement overnight (18.8 ± 12.9%, P < 0.001). All age-groups (children [7-13 years], adolescents [14-21 years], and adults [>22 years]) demonstrated improvement, with adolescents showing the largest improvement (14.4 ± 8.4%). Mean sensor glucose (SG) at run-in was 9.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L (167 ± 16.2 mg/dL) and improved with AHCL (8.5 ± 0.7 mmol/L [153 ± 12.6 mg/dL], P < 0.001), but deteriorated during PLGM (9.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L [17 ± 19.8 mg/dL], P < 0.001). TIR was optimal when the algorithm set point was 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) compared with 6.7 mmol/L (120 mg/dL), 72.0 ± 7.9% vs. 64.6 ± 6.9%, respectively, with no additional hypoglycemia. Auto Mode was active 96.4 ± 4.0% of the time. The percentage of hypoglycemia at baseline (<3.9 mmol/L [70 mg/dL] and ≤3.0 mmol/L [54 mg/dL]) was 3.1 ± 2.1% and 0.5 ± 0.6%, respectively. During AHCL, the percentage time at <3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) improved to 2.1 ± 1.4% (P = 0.034) and was statistically but not clinically reduced for ≤3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) (0.5 ± 0.5%; P = 0.025). There was one episode of mild diabetic ketoacidosis attributed to an infusion set failure in combination with an intercurrent illness, which occurred during the SAP + PLGM arm.

CONCLUSIONS

AHCL with automated correction bolus demonstrated significant improvement in glucose control compared with SAP + PLGM. A lower algorithm SG set point during AHCL resulted in greater TIR, with no increase in hypoglycemia.

The Effectiveness of Virtual Training on the MiniMed™ 670G System in People with Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged the ability to do face-to-face training on advanced diabetes management technologies. In the United States, Medtronic Diabetes shifted from occasional to 100% virtual training on all diabetes devices in mid-March 2020. We studied the outcomes of virtual training on the MiniMed™ 670 G hybrid closed-loop system in type 1 diabetes. Methods: From March 20, 2020, to April 22, 2020 (intra-COVID-19), virtual training on the MiniMed 670 G system was completed using Zoom with satisfaction captured through online post-training surveys. Training efficiency was measuring by the days between the date of product shipment and the date of the first and final trainings. Patient satisfaction with training on the MiniMed 670 G was determined by Net Promotor Score^® (NPS^®). Uploads from CareLink™ Personal and CareLink Professional and calls to the Medtronic 24-h technical support team requesting educational/software assistance and/or help with health care provider telehealth visits were recorded. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) results were measured using the CareLink Personal database. All results except for the Zoom satisfaction survey were compared with data from January 20, 2020, to February 22, 2020, (Pre-COVID-19) when training was performed in-person. Results: The CGM metrics were comparable between pre- and intra-COVID-19 training. The Zoom video conferencing application had 98% satisfaction. The NPS rose from 78 to 84. The time between the pump shipment and the first and last (automode) training was significantly reduced from 14 ± 7 days to 11 ± 5 days (P < 0.001) and from 19 ± 7 days to 15 ± 15 days (P < 0.01), respectively. There was a decrease in the calls for educational assistance to the technical support team but an increase in requests for login and software installation support. Conclusions: Virtual training of individuals with diabetes on the MiniMed 670 G system resulted in high satisfaction and short-term glycemic results comparable with in-person training.

The dawn phenomenon across the glycemic continuum: Implications for defining dysglycemia

AIMS

To investigate the frequency of dawn phenomenon (DP) and its relationship with time in range (TIR) and glycemic variability (GV) using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

METHODS

781 subjects of a multicenter CGM study in China were included: those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT n = 360); impaired glucose regulation (IGR n = 173); newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D n = 248). Analysis of the magnitude of DP (ΔG) was conducted with the primary definition of 1.11 mmol/L and a secondary definition of 0.56 mmol/L.

RESULTS

The frequency of DP was 8.9%, 30.1% and 52.4% in NGT, IGR and T2D group, respectively, using the primary definition. In all three groups, TIR was lower (all P < 0.05), coefficient of variation (CV) was higher in DP subgroup (all P < 0.05). In DP subgroup of T2D, TIR was 7.0% (1.68 h) lower and CV was 3.0% higher, and HbA_1c was 0.6% (7 mmol/mol) higher using the primary definition (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

DP was present in a high percent of subjects with NGT and IGR. In newly diagnosed T2D group, the presence of DP was associated with poorer overall glycemic control.

TIR generated by continuous glucose monitoring is associated with peripheral nerve function in type 2 diabetes

AIMS

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived time-in-range (TIR) of 3.9-10 mmol/L is associated with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but its relationship to peripheral nerve function has not been previously investigated. To explore the association between the TIR and nerve conduction study parameters in patients with T2DM, we performed a cross-sectional analysis.

METHODS

A total of 740 patients with T2DM were enrolled in this study. All of the participants were divided into tertiles according to the TIR (TIR low: ≤53%; TIR medium: 54-76%; TIR high: ≥77%). Composite Z-scores of nerve conduction velocity (CV), latency, and amplitude were calculated. The linear correlation between the TIR and composite nerve function Z-score was evaluated and risk assessment was analysed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The composite Z-score of the CV and amplitude increased with higher TIR and the composite Z-score of latency significantly decreased as the TIR tertiles increased (all P trend < 0.05). After adjusting for age, diabetes duration, height, weight and other confounding factors, higher TIR was associated with a higher composite Z-score of CV (β = 0.230, P < 0.001), amplitude (β = 0.099, P = 0.010), and lower composite Z-score of latency (β = -0.172, P < 0.001). The risk of TIR tertiles and low composite Z-score of CV remained significant even after adjustment of HbA1c (TIR medium: OR = 0.48, P = 0.001; TIR high: OR = 0.41, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher TIR tertiles were independently associated with better peripheral nerve function. CGM-derived TIR may be a promising approach to screen patients for further assessment of possible diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Effect of Acarbose on Glycemic Variability in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Using Premixed Insulin Compared to Metformin (AIM): An Open-Label Randomized Trial

Background: Acarbose (ACA) can effectively reduce the postprandial blood glucose and has similar antidiabetic effects as metformin (MET). To our knowledge, few studies have compared the effect of ACA or MET on glucose fluctuations. In the present study, we explored the effect of ACA or MET combined with premixed insulin (INS) on glycemic control and glycemic variability (GV). Methods: This was an open-label randomized trial that was conducted in type 2 diabetic patients taking premixed insulin. The patients were assigned to 12 weeks of MET (n = 62) or ACA (n = 62) treatment combined with INS. The main outcomes were changes in GV and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared with baseline. Results: Compared with baseline, several GV indices (standard deviation [SD], mean amplitude of glycemic excursions [MAGE]) and blood glucose control indices (mean glucose [MG], time in range [TIR] and HbA1c) were both significantly improved in INS+ACA and INS+MET after 12-week therapy. However, coefficient of variation (CV) was significantly reduced in INS+ACA but not in INS+MET. Moreover, compared with INS+MET, INS+ACA led to a more pronounced percentage change from baseline in CV (26.3% [1.7%-44.6%] vs. 11.9% [-7.0% to 29.9%], P = 0.022), MAGE (40.5% [20.1%-60.5%] vs. 25.2% [-2.1% to 43.4%], P = 0.007) and SD (38.6% [25.2%-57.9%] vs. 30.1% [10.8%-46.5%], P = 0.041). Conclusion: Both MET and ACE combined with INS effectively reduced blood glucose. Compared with MET, ACA combined with INS reduced GV.

Time in Range Is Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Time in range (TIR) is an emerging metric of glycemic control and is reported to be associated with microvascular complications of diabetes. We sought to investigate the association of TIR obtained from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Data from 2215 patients with type 2 diabetes were cross-sectionally analyzed. TIR of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L was evaluated with CGM. CIMT was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography and abnormal CIMT was defined as a mean CIMT ≥1.0 mm. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of TIR with CIMT. Results: Compared with patients with normal CIMT, those with abnormal CIMT had significantly lower TIR (P < 0.001). The prevalence of abnormal CIMT progressively decreased across the categories of increasing TIR (P for trend <0.001). In a fully adjusted model controlling for traditional risk factor of CVD, each 10% increase in TIR was associated with 6.4% lower risk of abnormal CIMT. Stratifying the data by sex revealed that TIR was significantly associated with CIMT in males but not in females. In a subset of patients (n = 612) with complete data on diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria, we found that the relationship between TIR and CIMT remained to be significant, regardless of the status of microvascular complications. Conclusions: TIR is associated with CIMT in a large sample of patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a link between TIR and macrovascular disease.

Role of Composite Glycemic Indices: A Comparison of the Comprehensive Glucose Pentagon Across Diabetes Types and HbA1c Levels

Background: Complex changes of glycemia that occur in diabetes are not fully captured by any single measure. The Comprehensive Glucose Pentagon (CGP) measures multiple aspects of glycemia to generate the prognostic glycemic risk (PGR), which constitutes the relative risk of hypoglycemia combined with long-term complications. We compare the components of CGP and PGR across type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: Participants: n = 60 type 1 and n = 100 type 2 who underwent continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Mean glucose, coefficient of variation (%CV), intensity of hypoglycemia (INT_hypo), intensity of hyperglycemia (INT_hyper), time out-of-range (TOR <3.9 and >10 mmol/L), and PGR were calculated. PGR (median, interquartile ranges [IQR]) for diabetes types, and HbA1c classes were compared. Results: While HbA1c was lower in type 1 (type 1 vs. type 2: 8.0 ± 1.6 vs. 8.6 ± 1.7, P = 0.02), CGM-derived mean glucoses were similar across both groups (P > 0.05). TOR, %CV, INT_hypo, and INT_hyper were all higher in type 1 [type 1 vs. type 2: 665 (500, 863) vs. 535 (284, 823) min/day; 39% (33, 46) vs. 29% (24, 34); 905 (205, 2951) vs. 18 (0, 349) mg/dL × min²; 42,906 (23,482, 82,120) vs. 30,166 (10,276, 57,183) mg/dL × min², respectively, all P < 0.05]. Across each HbA1c class, the PGR remained consistently and significantly higher in type 1. While mean glucose remained the same across HbA1c classes, %CV, TOR, INT_hyper, and INT_hypo were significantly higher for type 1. Even within the same HbA1c class, the variation (IQR) of each parameter in type 1 was wider. The PGR increased across diabetes groups; type 2 on orals versus type 2 on insulin versus type 1 (PGR: 1.6 vs. 2.2 vs. 2.9, respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Composite indices such as the CGP capture significant differences in glycemia independent of HbA1c and mean glucose. The use of such indices must be explored in both the clinical and research settings.

The Relationship of Hemoglobin A1C to Time-in-Range in Patients with Diabetes

BACKGROUND

There has been recent recognition of the limitations of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) in describing both short- and long-term glycemic control. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides robust data about short-term glycemic control and provides metrics such as percent time-in-range (%TIR) that are now routinely reported to describe the change in glycemic control after an intervention in a clinical study or a change in therapy in a patient's care. Recent studies have shown that %TIR may have similar associations with diabetes microvascular complications as does HbA1C. The relationship of %TIR to the long-standing metric of overall glycemic control has not been clearly defined to date.

METHODS

Articles that report paired HbA1C and %TIR metrics (n = 1137) or HbA1C and frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (n = 1440) across a wide range of HbA1Cs, technologies, and subject demographics were reviewed to determine the correlation of these metrics.

RESULTS

Selected paired HbA1C and %TIR data from 18 articles were evaluated by linear regression analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient. There was an excellent correlation between the two (R = -0.84; R² = 0.71). This relationship did not change after excluding one study that used SMBG or six studies with ≤7 days of CGM. For every absolute 10% change in %TIR, there was a 0.8% (9 mmol/mol) change in HbA1C.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a good correlation between HbA1C and %TIR that may permit the transition to %TIR as the preferred metric for determining the outcome of clinical studies, predicting of the risk of diabetes complications, and assessing of an individual patient's glycemic control.

Going beyond HbA1c to understand the benefits of advanced diabetes therapies

The gold standard for monitoring overall glycemia is HbA1c. However, HbA1c has several important limitations, giving more weight to the prior 2 to 3 months rather than short-term glycemic control. In addition, the level of the HbA1c does not reflect the important interpersonal differences in its relationship with mean glucose, and HbA1c is affected by many common clinical conditions (anemia, uremia) that can interfere with the accuracy of its measurement in the laboratory. The development and refinement of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a glucose- and patient-centric technology, over the past two decades have permitted the creation of new single and composite metrics, such as the percentage of time in range and the glucose pentagon, respectively, which provide clinically relevant insights into short-term glycemic control. In addition, CGM creates new outcome metrics for clinical management and investigational studies (percentage of time in hypoglycemia, percentage of time in target range) that can accurately and meaningfully report the effects of an intervention, whether that is a drug, a device, or a psychosocial program, and CGM provides the key input to drive algorithm-based insulin delivery. Finally, CGM linked with artificial intelligence permits real-time feedback to patients about modifiable patterns of glycemic excursions.

Association of Time in Range, as Assessed by Continuous Glucose Monitoring, With Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has provided new measures of glycemic control that link to diabetes complications. This study investigated the association between the time in range (TIR) assessed by CGM and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 3,262 patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. TIR was defined as the percentage of time spent within the glucose range of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L during a 24-h period. Measures of glycemic variability (GV) were assessed as well. DR was determined by using fundus photography and graded as 1) non-DR; 2) mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR); 3) moderate NPDR; or 4) vision-threatening DR (VTDR).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of DR was 23.9% (mild NPDR 10.9%, moderate NPDR 6.1%, VTDR 6.9%). Patients with more advanced DR had significantly less TIR and higher measures of GV (all P for trend <0.01). The prevalence of DR on the basis of severity decreased with ascending TIR quartiles (all P for trend <0.001), and the severity of DR was inversely correlated with TIR quartiles (r = -0.147; P < 0.001). Multinomial logistic regression revealed significant associations between TIR and all stages of DR (mild NPDR, P = 0.018; moderate NPDR, P = 0.014; VTDR, P = 0.019) after controlling for age, sex, BMI, diabetes duration, blood pressure, lipid profile, and HbA_1c. Further adjustment of GV metrics partially attenuated these associations, although the link between TIR and the presence of any DR remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

TIR assessed by CGM is associated with DR in type 2 diabetes.

The Development of New Composite Metrics for the Comprehensive Analytic and Visual Assessment of Hypoglycemia Using the Hypo-Triad

BACKGROUND

Quantifying hypoglycemia has traditionally been limited to using the frequency of hypoglycemic events during a given time interval using data from blood glucose (BG) testing. However, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) captures three parameters-a Hypo-Triad-unavailable with BG monitoring that can be used to better characterize hypoglycemia: area under the curve (AUC), time (duration of hypoglycemia), and frequency of daily episodes below a specified threshold.

METHODS

We developed two new analytic metrics to enhance the traditional Hypo-Triad of CGM-derived data to more effectively capture the intensity of hypoglycemia (IntHypo) and overall hypoglycemic environment called the "hypoglycemia risk volume" (HypoRV). We reanalyzed the CGM data from the ASPIRE In-Home study, a randomized, controlled trial of a sensor-integrated pump system with a low glucose threshold suspend feature (SIP+TS), using these new metrics and compared them to standard metrics of hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

IntHypo and HypoRV provide additional insights into the benefit of a SIP+TS system on glycemic exposure when compared to the standard reporting methods. In addition, the visual display of these parameters provides a unique and intuitive way to understand the impact of a diabetes intervention on a cohort of subjects as well as on individual patients.

CONCLUSION

The IntHypo and HypoRV are new and enhanced ways of analyzing CGM-derived data in diabetes intervention studies which could lead to new insights in diabetes management. They require validation using existing, ongoing, or planned studies to determine whether they are superior to existing metrics.

The Comprehensive Glucose Pentagon: A Glucose-Centric Composite Metric for Assessing Glycemic Control in Persons With Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Composite metrics have the potential to provide more complete and clinically useful information about glycemic control than traditional individual metrics such as hemoglobin A1C, %/time/area under curve of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

METHODS

Using five key metrics that are derived from continuous glucose monitoring, we developed a new, multicomponent composite metric, the Comprehensive Glucose Pentagon (CGP) that demonstrates glycemic control both numerically and visually. Two of its axes are composite metrics-the intensity of hypoglycemia and intensity of hyperglycemia. This approach eliminates the use of the surrogate marker, hemoglobin A1C (A1C), and replaces it with glucose-centric metrics.

RESULTS

We reanalyzed the data from two randomized control trials, the STAR 3 and ASPIRE In-Home studies using the CGP. It provided new insights into the effect of sensor-augmented pumping (SAP) in the STAR 3 trial and sensor-integrated pumping with low-glucose threshold suspend (SIP+TS) in the ASPIRE In-Home trial.

CONCLUSIONS

The CGP has the potential to enable health care providers, investigators and patients to better understand the components of glycemic control and the effect of various interventions on the individual elements of that control. This can be done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It also allows direct comparison of the effects on different interventions among clinical trials which is not possible using A1C alone. This new composite metric approach requires validation to determine if it provides a better predictor of long-term outcomes than A1C and/or better predictor of severe hypoglycemia than the low blood glucose index (LBGI).

The Cost-Effectiveness of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT-CGM) in Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

This analysis models the cost-effectiveness of real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) using evidence from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that demonstrated RT-CGM reduced A1C, for up to 9 months after using the technology, among patients with type 2 diabetes not on prandial insulin. RT-CGM was offered short-term and intermittently as a self-care tool to inform patients' behavior.

METHOD

The analyses projected lifetime clinical and economic outcomes for RT-CGM versus self-monitoring of blood glucose by fingerstick only. The base-case analysis was consistent with the RCT (RT-CGM for 2 weeks on/1 week off over 3 months). A scenario analysis simulated outcomes of an RT-CGM "refresher" after the active intervention of the RCT. Analyses used the IMS CORE Diabetes Model and were conducted from a US third-party payer perspective, including direct costs obtained from published sources and inflated to 2011 US dollars. Costs and health outcomes were discounted at 3% per annum.

RESULTS

Life expectancy (LE) and quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) from RT-CGM were 0.10 and 0.07, with a cost of $653/patient over a lifetime. Incremental LE and QALE from a "refresher" were 0.14 and 0.10, with a cost of $1312/patient over a lifetime, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $9319 and $13 030 per LY and QALY gained.

CONCLUSIONS

RT-CGM, as a self-care tool, is a cost-effective disease management option in the US for people with type 2 diabetes not on prandial insulin. Repeated use of RT-CGM may result in additional cost-effectiveness.

Development of the Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose Monitor System Surveillance Protocol

BACKGROUND

Inaccurate blood glucsoe monitoring systems (BGMSs) can lead to adverse health effects. The Diabetes Technology Society (DTS) Surveillance Program for cleared BGMSs is intended to protect people with diabetes from inaccurate, unreliable BGMS products that are currently on the market in the United States. The Surveillance Program will provide an independent assessment of the analytical performance of cleared BGMSs.

METHODS

The DTS BGMS Surveillance Program Steering Committee included experts in glucose monitoring, surveillance testing, and regulatory science. Over one year, the committee engaged in meetings and teleconferences aiming to describe how to conduct BGMS surveillance studies in a scientifically sound manner that is in compliance with good clinical practice and all relevant regulations.

RESULTS

A clinical surveillance protocol was created that contains performance targets and analytical accuracy-testing studies with marketed BGMS products conducted by qualified clinical and laboratory sites. This protocol entitled "Protocol for the Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose Monitor System Surveillance Program" is attached as supplementary material.

CONCLUSION

This program is needed because currently once a BGMS product has been cleared for use by the FDA, no systematic postmarket Surveillance Program exists that can monitor analytical performance and detect potential problems. This protocol will allow identification of inaccurate and unreliable BGMSs currently available on the US market. The DTS Surveillance Program will provide BGMS manufacturers a benchmark to understand the postmarket analytical performance of their products. Furthermore, patients, health care professionals, payers, and regulatory agencies will be able to use the results of the study to make informed decisions to, respectively, select, prescribe, finance, and regulate BGMSs on the market.

Impact of CMS Competitive Bidding Program on Medicare Beneficiary Safety and Access to Diabetes Testing Supplies: A Retrospective, Longitudinal Analysis

OBJECTIVE

In 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) in nine markets for diabetes supplies. The intent was to lower costs to consumers. Medicare claims data (2009-2012) were used to confirm the CMS report (2012) that there were no disruptions in acquisition caused by CBP and no changes in health outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study population consisted of insulin users: 43,939 beneficiaries in the nine test markets (TEST) and 485,688 beneficiaries in the nontest markets (NONTEST). TEST and NONTEST were subdivided: those with full self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) supply acquisition (full SMBG) according to prescription and those with partial/no acquisition (partial/no SMBG). Propensity score-matched analysis was performed to reduce selection bias. Outcomes were impact of partial/no SMBG acquisition on mortality, inpatient admissions, and inpatient costs.

RESULTS

Survival was negatively associated with partial/no SMBG acquisition in both cohorts (P < 0.0001). Coterminous with CBP (2010-2011), there was a 23.0% (P < 0.0001) increase in partial/no SMBG acquisition in TEST vs. 1.7% (P = 0.0002) in NONTEST. Propensity score-matched analysis showed beneficiary migration from full to partial/no SMBG acquisition in 2011 (1,163 TEST vs. 605 NONTEST) was associated with more deaths within the TEST cohort (102 vs. 60), with higher inpatient hospital admissions and associated costs.

CONCLUSIONS

SMBG supply acquisition was disrupted in the TEST population, leading to increased migration to partial/no SMBG acquisition with associated increases in mortality, inpatient admissions, and costs. Based on our findings, more effective monitoring protocols are needed to protect beneficiary safety.

The benefits, limitations, and cost-effectiveness of advanced technologies in the management of patients with diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemia mitigation is critical for appropriately managing patients with diabetes. Advanced technologies are becoming more prevalent in diabetes management, but their benefits have been primarily judged on the basis of hemoglobin A1c. A critical appraisal of the effectiveness and limitations of advanced technologies in reducing both A1c and hypoglycemia rates has not been previously performed. The cost of hypoglycemia was estimated using literature rates of hypoglycemia events resulting in hospitalizations. A literature search was conducted on the effect on A1c and hypoglycemia of advanced technologies. The cost-effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and real-time continuous glucose monitors (RT-CGM) was reviewed. Severe hypoglycemia in insulin-using patients with diabetes costs $4.9-$12.7 billion. CSII reduces A1c in some but not all studies. CSII improves hypoglycemia in patients with high baseline rates. Bolus calculators improve A1c and improve the fear of hypoglycemia but not hypoglycemia rates. RT-CGM alone and when combined with CSII improve A1c with a neutral effect on hypoglycemia rates. Low-glucose threshold suspend systems reduce hypoglycemia with a neutral effect on A1c, and low-glucose predictive suspend systems reduce hypoglycemia with a small increase in plasma glucose levels. In short-term studies, artificial pancreas systems reduce both hypoglycemia rates and plasma glucose levels. CSII and RT-CGM are cost-effective technologies, but their wide adoption is limited by cost, psychosocial, and educational factors. Most currently available technologies improve A1c with a neutral or improved rate of hypoglycemia. Advanced technologies appear to be cost-effective in diabetes management, especially when including the underlying cost of hypoglycemia.

Escaping the Hemoglobin A1c-Centric World in Evaluating Diabetes Mellitus Interventions

Any intervention in patients with diabetes must consider its effect on both the incidence of hypoglycemia and hemoglobin A1c. Yet, there is no single metric that expresses these key factors simultaneously. Such a composite metric would permit clinicians, regulators, manufacturers, payers, and researchers to more easily evaluate the merits of an intervention as well as enable the comparison of qualitatively different interventions. This article proposes a composite metric, the hypoglycemia-A1c score (HAS), as the basis for a more comprehensive approach for the stakeholders in diabetes treatment to better understand how an intervention affects diabetes management. The article also demonstrates how additional parameters such as effects on weight, quality of life, and costs could be included in such a scoring system.

The clinical endocrinology workforce: current status and future projections of supply and demand

CONTEXT

Many changes in health care delivery, health legislation, and the physician workforce that affect the supply and demand for endocrinology services have occurred since the first published workforce study of adult endocrinologists in 2003.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the current adult endocrinology workforce data and provide the first analysis of the pediatric endocrinology workforce and to project the supply of and demand for endocrinologists through 2025.

DESIGN

A workforce model was developed from an analysis of proprietary and publicly available databases, consultation with a technical expert panel, and the results of an online survey of board-certified endocrinologists.

PARTICIPANTS

The Endocrine Society commissioned The Lewin Group to estimate current supply and to project gaps between supply and demand for endocrinologists. A technical expert panel of senior endocrinologists provided context, clinical information, and direction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The following were measured: 1) the current adult and pediatric endocrinology workforce and the supply of and demand for endocrinologists through 2025 and 2) the number of additional entrants into the endocrinology work pool that would be required to close the gap between supply and demand.

RESULTS

Currently there is a shortage of approximately 1500 adult and 100 pediatric full-time equivalent endocrinologists. The gap for adult endocrinologists will expand to 2700 without an increase in the number of fellows trained. An increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus further expands the demand for adult endocrinologists. The gap can be closed in 5 and 10 years by increasing the number of fellowship positions by 14.4% and 5.5% per year, respectively. The gap between supply and demand for pediatric endocrinologists will close by 2016, and thereafter an excess supply over demand will develop at the current rate of new entrants into the work force.

CONCLUSIONS

There are insufficient adult endocrinologists to satisfy current and future demand. A number of proactive strategies need to be instituted to mitigate this gap.