Real-world use of self-monitoring of blood glucose in people with type 2 diabetes: an urgent need for improvement

Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring provides no benefit over structured self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes not on prandial insulin, in the context of diabetes self-management education: GLucose monitoring programme SingaporE (GLiMPSE)

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the impact of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring(is-CGM)over self-monitoring of blood glucose(SMBG) in the context of diabetes self-management education (DSME) in sub-optimally controlled type 2 diabetes(T2D) in a multi-ethnicsetting.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD

Randomized-controlled, open-label trial (NCT04564911), of T2D with HbA1c ≥ 7.5-≤10 %, on oral agents with/without basal insulin was carried out. Intervention arm received 6 weeks(w) continuous is-CGM, followed by one is-CGM/month till 24w. Control arm was advised to perform 4 SMBG/day. Educationwas delivered at weeks 0, 2, 8, 16.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Change in HbA1c from baseline at 24w. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis with linear mixed-effect model for repeated measurementswas performed.

RESULTS

176 subjects, age 55 ± 10.7 years(y), DM duration 11 ± 7.3y, BMI 27.8 ± 5.9 kg/m2, 58 % Male, 29.5 % basal insulin users were analysed. Within each arm,from baseline to 24w, mean HbA1c decreasedby -0.6 % (-6.6.mmol/mol, p-value < 0.01)and weight decreased(isCGM: -1.44 kg; SMBG: -1.25 kg, both p < 0.01). These changes were sustained to one year. However, there wasno significant difference in these parameters between arms (p-value > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the context of DSME, use of either SMBG or is-CGM led to improved glycaemia and reduced weight over a period of 24 weeks, sustained to one year.

The mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness in patients with type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The research was conducted by correlation method) using Structural Equation Modeling). The statistical population consisted of all women and men with type 2 diabetes. Two hundred fifty-three samples were selected by convenience sampling method. The participants responded to the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills, and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory.

RESULTS

The results showed that the total path coefficient between the adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness (β = 0.243, P = 0.005) was positive and significant, and the total path coefficient between the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness (β = -0.453, P = 0.001) was negative and significant. The path coefficient between cognitive flexibility and mindfulness (β = 0.273, P = 0.009) was positive and significant. The indirect path coefficient between the adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness (β = 0.094, P = 0.007) was positive and significant, and the indirect path coefficient between the maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mindfulness (β = -0.117, P = 0.009) was negative and significant.

CONCLUSION

Improving emotion regulation skills increases cognitive flexibility and mindfulness in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Impact of a Combined Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Digital Health Solution on Glucose Metrics and Self-Management Behavior for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Real-World, Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The BlueStar (Welldoc) digital health solution for people with diabetes incorporates data from multiple devices and generates coaching messages using artificial intelligence. The BlueStar app syncs glucose data from the G6 (Dexcom) real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) system, which provides a glucose measurement every 5 minutes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this real-world study of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using the digital health solution and RT-CGM was to evaluate change in glycemic control and engagement with the program over 3 months.

METHODS

Participants were current or former enrollees in an employer-sponsored health plan, were aged 18 years or older, had a T2D diagnosis, and were not using prandial insulin. Outcomes included CGM-based glycemic metrics and engagement with the BlueStar app, including logging medications taken, exercise, food details, blood pressure, weight, and hours of sleep.

RESULTS

Participants in the program that met our analysis criteria (n=52) were aged a mean of 53 (SD 9) years; 37% (19/52) were female and approximately 50% (25/52) were taking diabetes medications. The RT-CGM system was worn 90% (SD 8%) of the time over 3 months. Among individuals with suboptimal glycemic control at baseline, defined as mean glucose >180 mg/dL, clinically meaningful improvements in glycemic control were observed, including reductions in a glucose management indicator (-0.8 percentage points), time above range 181-250 mg/dL (-4.4 percentage points) and time above range >250 mg/dL (-14 percentage points; all P<.05). Time in range 70-180 mg/dL also increased by 15 percentage points (P=.016) in this population, which corresponds to an increase of approximately 3.5 hours per day in the target range. Over the 3-month study, 29% (15/52) of participants completed at least one engagement activity per week. Medication logging was completed most often by participants (23/52, 44%) at a rate of 12.1 (SD 0.8) events/week, and this was closely followed by exercise and food logging.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of an artificial intelligence-powered digital health solution and RT-CGM helped people with T2D improve their glycemic outcomes and diabetes self-management behaviors.

Effectiveness of the SUGAR intervention on hypoglycaemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A pharmacist-led, individualised, educational intervention (SUGAR) was formulated to prevent hypoglycaemia among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the effectiveness of the SUGAR intervention added to usual care compared with usual care only in preventing hypoglycaemic attacks in elderly patients with T2DM in Jordan.

METHODS

A single-centre, pragmatic, open-label, randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation was conducted at the outpatient clinics of a hospital in Jordan. Elderly patients (≥65 years) with T2DM and on sulfonylurea, insulin, or at least three anti-diabetic medications were recruited and parallelly randomised to the SUGAR intervention with usual care or the control (usual care) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of total hypoglycaemic attacks per patient after 3 months from randomisation. Secondary outcomes included rate of hypoglycaemia subtypes, the incidence of any and subtypes of hypoglycaemia, hypoglycaemia-free survival probability, and incidence of fasting hyperglycaemia necessitating therapy modification. Outcomes were measured through glucose meters and diaries, assessed at 3 months, and analysed by intention to treat.

RESULTS

A total of 212 participants (mean age 68.98 years, 58.96% men) were randomly allocated (106 in each group), with 190 (89.62%) participants completing the study. The mean of total hypoglycaemic attacks was less in the intervention group compared with the control group (3.91 [SD 7.65] vs. 6.87 [SD 11.99]; p < 0.0001) at three months. The intervention significantly reduced the rate of hypoglycaemia subtypes; the odds to experience any, severe, and symptomatic hypoglycaemia; and increased hypoglycaemia-free survival probability compared with the control group at three months. Incidence of fasting hyperglycaemia necessitating therapy modification was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The SUGAR intervention can prevent hypoglycaemia without increasing the risk of fasting hyperglycaemia warranting therapy adjustment in elderly Jordanians with T2DM.

Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to be beneficial for adults with type 2 diabetes using intensive insulin therapy, but its use in type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin without prandial insulin has not been well studied.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of CGM in adults with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin without prandial insulin in primary care practices.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial was conducted at 15 centers in the US (enrollment from July 30, 2018, to October 30, 2019; follow-up completed July 7, 2020) and included adults with type 2 diabetes receiving their diabetes care from a primary care clinician and treated with 1 or 2 daily injections of long- or intermediate-acting basal insulin without prandial insulin, with or without noninsulin glucose-lowering medications.

Interventions

Random assignment 2:1 to CGM (n = 116) or traditional blood glucose meter (BGM) monitoring (n = 59).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at 8 months. Key secondary outcomes were CGM-measured time in target glucose range of 70 to 180 mg/dL, time with glucose level at greater than 250 mg/dL, and mean glucose level at 8 months.

Results

Among 175 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 57 [9] years; 88 women [50%]; 92 racial/ethnic minority individuals [53%]; mean [SD] baseline HbA1c level, 9.1% [0.9%]), 165 (94%) completed the trial. Mean HbA1c level decreased from 9.1% at baseline to 8.0% at 8 months in the CGM group and from 9.0% to 8.4% in the BGM group (adjusted difference, -0.4% [95% CI, -0.8% to -0.1%]; P = .02). In the CGM group, compared with the BGM group, the mean percentage of CGM-measured time in the target glucose range of 70 to 180 mg/dL was 59% vs 43% (adjusted difference, 15% [95% CI, 8% to 23%]; P < .001), the mean percentage of time at greater than 250 mg/dL was 11% vs 27% (adjusted difference, -16% [95% CI, -21% to -11%]; P < .001), and the means of the mean glucose values were 179 mg/dL vs 206 mg/dL (adjusted difference, -26 mg/dL [95% CI, -41 to -12]; P < .001). Severe hypoglycemic events occurred in 1 participant (1%) in the CGM group and in 1 (2%) in the BGM group.

Conclusions and Relevance

Among adults with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin without prandial insulin, continuous glucose monitoring, as compared with blood glucose meter monitoring, resulted in significantly lower HbA1c levels at 8 months.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03566693.

Type 2 Diabetes and the Use of Real-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring

The role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is well established in improving glycemic control and reducing hypoglycemia. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more prevalent than T1D and management of T2D is more heterogeneous, requiring treatment ranging from lifestyle modification to oral medications to intensive insulin therapy. Recent randomized controlled trials in intensively insulin-treated T2D demonstrated the efficacy and safety of real-time CGM (rtCGM) in reducing glycated hemoglobin without increasing hypoglycemia. Although evidence is limited, early studies have indicated a role for rtCGM in selected patients with non-insulin requiring T2D to improve glycemic control and/or reduce hypoglycemia. Based on literature review, we summarized current data on the use of rtCGM in T2D management and provided future research direction to generate more evidence on the utility of CGM in this population.

Clinical Outcomes of Switching to Insulin Glargine 300 U/ml from Other Basal Insulins in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Italy: A Real-World Study

INTRODUCTION

Primary aim was to provide real-world evidence of the outcomes after the switch to glargine 300 U/ml (Gla-300) from other basal insulins (first or second generation) in Italy.

METHODS

Multicenter, observational, retrospective study based on electronic medical records.

RESULTS

Overall, 953 T2DM insulin ± OAD treated people switched to Gla-300 or Gla-100 from January 2015 to July 2018. Three clinically relevant cohorts were identified: patients switching to Gla-300 from first-generation basal insulin (cohort 1), patients switching to Gla-300 from degludec-100 (Deg-100) (cohort 2), and those switching to Gla-100 from any basal insulin (cohort 3). The three cohorts differed in terms of age, diabetes duration, and metabolic control. HbA1c changes after 6 months from the switch were - 0.27% (95% CI - 0.38; - 0.16), - 0.06% (95% CI - 0.31; 0.19), and - 0.30% (95% CI - 0.51; - 0.09) in the three cohorts, respectively. FPG significantly decreased in cohort 1 (- 14.07 mg/dl, 95% CI - 20.25; - 7.89), while body weight significantly decreased in cohort 2 (- 1.47 kg, 95% CI - 2.55; - 0.39). Doses of insulin marginally changed during the follow-up (+ 0.89 U in basal insulin daily dose in cohort 1 and + 2.07 U in short-acting insulin daily dose in cohort 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to Gla-300 from first-generation basal insulin in the real world is associated with improvements in metabolic control despite a suboptimal titration of both basal and short-acting insulins. Inertia in insulin titration documented in the Gla-100 cohort is also observed with the second-generation basal insulin. The switch to Gla-300 from Deg-100 was associated with a decrease in body weight of - 1.47 kg despite a slight increase in short-acting insulin daily doses of about + 2 U.

Making sense of blood glucose data and self-management in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To describe individuals' with type 2 diabetes mellitus sense-making of blood glucose data and other influences impacting self-management behaviour.

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalence is increasing globally. Adherence to effective diabetes self-management regimens is an ongoing healthcare challenge. Examining individuals' sense-making processes can advance staff knowledge of and improve diabetes self-management behaviour.

DESIGN

A qualitative exploratory design examining how individuals make sense of blood glucose data and symptoms, and the influence on self-management decisions.

METHODS

Sixteen one-on-one interviews with adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted from March-May 2018. An inductive-deductive thematic analysis of data using the Sensemaking Framework for Chronic Disease Self-Management was used. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist were used in completing this paper.

RESULTS

Three main themes described participants' type 2 diabetes mellitus sense-making and influences on self-management decisions: classifying blood glucose data, building mental models and making self-management decisions. Participants classified glucose levels based on prior personal experiences. Participants learned about diabetes from classes, personal experience, health information technology and their social network. Seven participants expressed a need for periodic refreshing of diabetes knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Individuals use self-monitored glucose values and/or HbA1C values to evaluate glucose control. When using glucose values, they analyse the context in which the value was obtained through the lens of personal parameters and expectations. Understanding how individuals make sense of glycaemic data and influences on diabetes self-management behaviour with periodic reassessment of this understanding can guide the healthcare team in optimising collaborative individualised care plans.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses must assess sense-making processes in self-management decisions. Periodic "refresher" diabetes education may be needed for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Relationship between HbA1c and capillary blood glucose self-monitoring in type 2 diabetics

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes Control and Complications Trial has established the importance of glycemic control in reducing the progression of retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy in type 1 diabetics. There is little literature linking the frequency of glycemic monitoring with glycated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetics. The objectives were to assess the influence of glycemic self-monitoring on HbA1c in three groups of patients with type 2 diabetes (with insulin, with oral antidiabetics and with combination therapy).

METHODS

The glucometer capillary surveys of 117 patients were counted in the 30 days prior to the visit to the Integrated Diabetes Unit at Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu. In the three groups considered, sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, area of residence, household and schooling) were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant association between HbA1c and the frequency of capillary glucose in any of the groups. In the evaluation of sociodemographic data, contrary to what was expected, the area of residence and schooling did not influence the value of HbA1c.

CONCLUSION

These results question the role of glycemic monitoring in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics, highlighting the need to implement therapeutic education programs so that these patients can adequately intervene in the therapeutic adjustment as a function of the information obtained by capillary glycemia.

Pan-European Economic Analysis to Identify Cost Savings for the Health Care Systems as a Result of Integrating Glucose Monitoring Based Telemedical Approaches Into Diabetes Management

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring of blood glucose supported by the diabetes-app OneTouch Reveal® has demonstrated to improve HbA1c. We aimed at analyzing costs savings related the integration of telemedical features into diabetes management.

METHODS

Data from a randomized controlled trial were used to assess the 10-year risk of patients for fatal myocardial infarction (MI). On the basis of this risk assessments-also related to a 5% or 10% reduction of hypoglycemic episodes-cost savings for the health care systems of five European countries-France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom-were modeled.

RESULTS

HbA1c reduction of 0.92% in insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) was associated with a 2.3% decreased 10-year risk for fatal MI. In combination with a 10% reduction of hypoglycemic events this risk reduction led to cost savings of €16.1 million (France), €57.8 million (Germany), €30.9 million (Italy), €23.8 million (Spain), and €5.8 million (UK), considering all insulin-treated T2DM patients in the respective countries.

CONCLUSION

Improving metabolic control and thus risk for comorbidities like MI by combining the glucose meter with CRI with telemedical features has the potential to reduce costs for European health care systems.

Value For Money In The Treatment Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Assessing The Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness Of IDegLira Versus iGlarLixi In Italy

Objective

Italian treatment guidelines for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) target good glycemic control but acknowledge the associated risk of hypoglycemia. Unlike traditional antidiabetic therapies, modern treatment options such as fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists are associated with improved glycemic control, reduced body weight and low risk of hypoglycemia. The cost-effectiveness of the fixed-ratio combinations of basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists IDegLira and iGlarLixi was assessed for Italy in patients with T2DM uncontrolled on basal insulin, to evaluate how short-term clinical benefits translate into long-term health economic outcomes.

Methods

The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model was used to project clinical and economic outcomes over patient lifetimes. Treatment effects were sourced from an indirect treatment comparison. The analysis captured direct medical costs (expressed in 2017 Euros) from the perspective of the Italian National Health Service (NHS) and patient-related quality of life. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

IDegLira was associated with gains of 0.09 life years and 0.13 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) relative to iGlarLixi, due to a lower cumulative incidence and delayed onset of diabetes-related complications. IDegLira was associated with an incremental cost of EUR 930 over patient lifetimes, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 7,386 per QALY gained.

Conclusion

Over the lifetime of patients with T2DM uncontrolled on basal insulin, IDegLira was associated with improved clinical outcomes at higher costs relative to iGlarLixi. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of EUR 30,000 per QALY gained, IDegLira was considered to be cost-effective versus iGlarLixi from the perspective of the Italian NHS.