Monitoring Glycemic Control

Lower achievement of guideline recommended care in Canadian adults with early-onset diabetes: A population-based cohort study

AIMS

Adults with early-onset diabetes (age < 40 years) have an increased risk of complications, and it is unclear whether they are receiving guideline recommended care. We compared the frequency and results of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing in adults with early-onset and usual-onset diabetes and assessed factors related to guideline concordance.

METHODS

Population-level databases from Alberta, Canada (∼4.5 million) were used to identify adults with incident diabetes. The cohort was stratified by age at diagnosis (< 40 vs. ≥ 40 years) and then followed for 365 days for HbA1c testing. Adjusted multivariable analyses were used to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with guideline concordance.

RESULTS

Among 23,643 adults with incident diabetes (mean age 54.1 ± 15.4 years; 42.1 % female), 18.9 % had early-onset diabetes. Early-onset diabetes was associated with lower frequency of testing (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 0.80; 95 % CI 0.70-0.90) and above target glycaemic levels compared to usual-onset diabetes (aOR, 1.45; 95 % CI 1.29-1.64). Factors associated with guideline concordant frequency of HbA1c testing were rural residence and insulin use.

CONCLUSIONS

In our universal care setting with premium-free health care, early-onset diabetes was associated with lower rates of HbA1c testing and sub-optimal glycaemic control compared to those with usual-onset diabetes.

Prevalence of Hypoglycemia and Its Determinants Among Diabetes Patients on Insulin Treatment at Tepi General Hospital, Southwest, Ethiopia

Background

Hypoglycemia occurs when the blood sugar levels are too low. In severe cases, hypoglycemia may give to seizures, coma, and sometimes death. The prevalence of hypoglycemia among patients with diabetes is likely underreported and undocumented.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 336 study participants at the Tepi General Hospital in Southwest Ethiopia. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between the prevalence of hypoglycemia and the factors associated with it. After a bivariate analysis, variables with a p value of < 0.25 were selected as a candidate for multivariable analysis. An odds ratio with a 95% CI was considered to indicate a significant association.

Results

With 95% CI (52.48-62.25) the prevalence of hypoglycemia was determined as 57.44%. Nearly 11% of the patients encounter severe hypoglycemia. Female patients had three times higher odds of experiencing hypoglycemia (aOR=3, 95% CI: 2.10, 6.39). Those with no formal education had 1.5 times higher odds of experiencing hypoglycemia (aOR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.08, 5.45). Patients with type 1 diabetes were 3.4 times more likely to experience hypoglycemia (aOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.87, 7.50). Those who had been diagnosed before 10 years (aOR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.21) were more likely to have hypoglycemia. Furthermore, patients who consumed alcohol were 3.0 times more likely to have a history of hypoglycemia (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.03, 6.43).

Conclusion

The magnitude of hypoglycemia among patients with diabetes is determined to be considerable with more than half of the participants encountered hypoglycemia. There is a strong relationship between the occurrence of hypoglycemia and sex, type of diabetes, time since diagnosis, alcohol status, and education status. Therefore, all concerned parties must pay close attention to lessen the prevalence of hypoglycemia and address the problems based on the primary contributing factors.

Examining a Remote Group-Based Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Education Program in the COVID-19 Era Using the ORBIT Model: Small 6-Week Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND

To date, most group-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs for type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been delivered in person. The rapid transition to remote care at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic presented opportunities to test, evaluate, and iterate a new remote DSME program.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to refine the delivery and evaluation of a multicomponent remote DSME program for adults living with T2D by examining several feasibility outcomes.

METHODS

We recruited a convenience sample of patients from a London, Canada, outpatient diabetes clinic (serving high-risk, low-income adults) to participate in a 6-week, single cohort feasibility study from November 2020 to March 2021. This small ORBIT phase 1b feasibility study represents the first in a planned series guided by the ORBIT model for developing behavioral interventions for chronic diseases (phase 1: design; phase 2: preliminary testing; phase 3: efficacy; and phase 4: effectiveness). The feasibility of delivering and evaluating a remote DSME program, including (1) live video education classes, (2) individualized physical activity (PA) prescription and counseling, and (3) intermittently scanned continuous glucose and wearable PA monitoring, was assessed. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment and retention rates, program adherence, and acceptability (ie, technology issues and exit survey feedback). PA was assessed with Fitbit Inspire 2 (Fitbit Inc) and estimated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) using the FreeStyle Libre (Abbot). Given the small study sample, group- and individual-level data are reported descriptively.

RESULTS

A total of 10 adults living with T2D were recruited (female 60%; age 49.9, SD 14.3 years; estimated HbA1c 6.2%, SD 0.5%). Recruitment and retention rates were 29% and 80%, respectively. Participants attended 83% (25/30) and 93% (37/40) of education classes and PA counseling phone calls, respectively. There were 3.2 (SD 2.6) technology issues reported per person, most of which were related to study data transfer. Exit survey responses suggest most participants (8/9, 89%) were "satisfied" with the program. Recognizing the small sample size and the fact that no inferential statistics were conducted, the mean (SD) for the weekly daily step count and estimated HbA1c are provided for illustrative purposes. Participants accumulated 7103 (SD 2900) and 7515 (SD 3169) steps per day at baseline and week 6, respectively. The estimated HbA1c was 6.2% (SD 0.5%) and 6.2% (SD 0.6%) at baseline and week 6, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This ORBIT phase 1b study served to refine the delivery (eg, automatic study data upload process recommended to reduce participant burden) and evaluation (eg, purposeful sampling of participants with baseline HbA1c >8% recommended to address selection bias) of a remote DSME program. Preliminary proof-of-concept testing (ORBIT phase 2) incorporating some of these learnings is now warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04498819; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04498819.

A comparison between different patient groups for diabetes management during phases of the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the large uptake in virtual care in primary care in Canada, the care of patients with type 2 diabetes has been greatly affected. This includes decreased in-person visits, laboratory testing and in-person assessments such as blood pressure (BP). No studies have investigated if these changes persisted with pandemic progression, and it is unclear if shifts impacted patient groups uniformly. The purpose of this paper was to examine changes in diabetes care pre, early, and later pandemic across different patient groups.

METHODS

A repeated cross-sectional design with an open cohort was used to investigate diabetes care in adults with type 2 diabetes for a 6-month interval from March 14 to September 13 over three consecutive years: 2019 (pre-pandemic period), 2020 (early pandemic period), and 2021 (later pandemic period). Data for this study were abstracted from the University of Toronto Practice-Based Research Network (UTOPIAN) Data Safe Haven, a primary care electronic medical records database in Ontario, Canada. Changes in diabetes care, which included primary care total visits, in-person visits, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, and BP measurements were evaluated across the phases of the pandemic. Difference in diabetes care across patient groups, including age, sex, income quintile, prior HbA1c levels, and prior BP levels, were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 39,401 adults with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Compared to the 6-month pre-pandemic period, having any in-person visits decreased significantly early pandemic (OR = 0.079 (0.076-0.082)), with a partial recovery later pandemic (OR = 0.162 (95% CI: 0.157-0.169). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, there was a significant decrease early pandemic for total visits (OR = 0.486 (95% CI: 0.470-0.503)), HbA1c testing (OR = 0.401 (95% CI: 0.389-0.413)), and BP measurement (OR = 0.121 (95% CI: 0.116-0.125)), with partial recovery later pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

All measures of diabetes care were substantially decreased early pandemic, with a partial recovery later pandemic across all patient groups. With the increase in virtual care due to the COVID-19 pandemic, diabetes care has been negatively impacted over 1-year after pandemic onset.

No association between metformin initiation and incident dementia in older adults newly diagnosed with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Metformin has been suggested to reduce dementia risk; however, most epidemiologic studies have been limited by immortal time bias or confounding due to disease severity.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association of metformin initiation with incident dementia using strategies that mitigate these important sources of bias.

METHODS

Residents of Ontario, Canada ≥66 years newly diagnosed with diabetes from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017 entered this retrospective population-based cohort. To consider the indication for metformin monotherapy initiation, people with hemoglobin A1c of 6.5%-8.0% and estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥45 mL/min/1.73 m2 were selected. Using the landmark method to address immortal time bias, exposure was grouped into "metformin monotherapy initiation within 180 days after new diabetes diagnosis" or "no glucose-lowering medications within 180 days." To address disease latency, 1-year lag time was applied to the end of the 180-day landmark period. Incident dementia was defined using a validated algorithm for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from propensity-score weighted Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

Over mean follow-up of 6.77 years from cohort entry, metformin initiation within 180 days after new diabetes diagnosis (N = 12,331; 978 events; 65,762 person-years) showed no association with dementia risk (aHR [95% CI] = 1.05 [0.96-1.15]), compared to delayed or no glucose-lowering medication initiation (N = 22,369; 1768 events; 117,415 person-years).

CONCLUSION

Early metformin initiation was not associated with incident dementia in older adults newly diagnosed with diabetes. The utility of metformin to prevent dementia was not supported.

Dopamine 2 agonists for the management of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The Dopamine-2 receptor agonists, Bromocriptine and Cabergoline, were originally introduced for prolactinomas, pituitary tumors, and parkinson's disease but have glucose-lowering effects. This paper systematically reviewed the significance of their effects on lowering blood glucose level and conducted a comprehensive systematic search to identify relevant clinical trials of dopamine 2 agonists on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting blood sugar (FBS).

Method

We conducted a systematic review search in the databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, Registers, and Citations) until November 30, 2022, using the PRISMA 2020 statement. The Oxford quality score (Jadad score) was used to assess the study's quality. The present study protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database with ID: CRD42023389582. The study included studies with full abstracts, predefined doses, clear interventions, and blood glucose measurements.

Result

Data were synthesized from 23 clinical studies that recruited 6125 study subjects. The pooled effect analysis of the clinical trials revealed that dopamine 2 agonists improved HbA1c [SMD = -1.26; 95% CI (-1.60, -0.93), P < .00001], and FBS [SMD = -1.84; 95% CI (-2.61, -1.07), P < .00001]. Each drug's pooled effect analysis indicates bromocriptine significantly improved HbA1c [SMD = -1.25; 95% CI (-1.64, -0.87), P < .00001] and FBS [SMD = -1.90; 95% CI (-2.79, -1.01), P < .00001] and similarly, cabergoline significantly improved HbA1c [SMD = -1.29; 95% CI (-1.96, -0.62), P < .00001] and FBS [SMD = -1.62; 95% CI (-2.82, -0.41), P < .00001]. The pooled and individual analyses demonstrated that dopamine 2 agonists have a significant ability to lower blood glucose levels in clinical studies.

Conclusion

This study shows that dopamine 2 agonists significantly lowered FBS and HbA1c levels without causing severe negative effects. Even though the results are promising, additional research is necessary to establish the appropriate antihyperglycemic dosage, frequency of daily use, side effects, and potential product interactions when employing dopamine 2 receptor agonists for their antihyperglycemic effect.

A Multimodal Intervention for Reducing Unnecessary Repeat Glycated Hemoglobin Testing

OBJECTIVES

Reducing unnecessary tests that do not enhance quality can promote health-care value. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) is often ordered at a frequency exceeding the recommendation of once every 3 months. We conducted a quality improvement (QI) initiative aimed to reduce unnecessary repeat testing by 75% at a tertiary care academic hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective baseline analysis was conducted on laboratory data from 2019 that enumerated unnecessary A1C tests, defined as repeat tests ordered within 60 days. A multifaceted change intervention with iterative plan-do-study-act cycles was introduced in March 2019 to educate providers and to automatically cancel A1C tests requested within 60 days. Monthly totals of A1C testing processed were plotted on statistical process control charts.

RESULTS

In 2019, 11% of all A1C tests ordered were unnecessary. Between March 2020 and January 2021, 11% of the tests (N=14,247 tests) were unnecessary, of which 84% were cancelled with our intervention. Providers in cardiology and nephrology accounted for over half (55%) of the unnecessary tests ordered.

CONCLUSIONS

A 2-pronged approach informed by root-cause analysis, and comprised of gatekeeping and provider education, can effectively promote resource stewardship for reducing unnecessary A1C testing.

Investigating the association between fasting insulin, erythrocytosis and HbA1c through Mendelian randomization and observational analyses

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) with associated compensatory hyperinsulinemia (HI) are early abnormalities in the etiology of prediabetes (preT2D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). IR and HI also associate with increased erythrocytosis. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is commonly used to diagnose and monitor preT2D and T2D, but can be influenced by erythrocytosis independent of glycemia.

METHODS

We undertook bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) in individuals of European ancestry to investigate potential causal associations between increased fasting insulin adjusted for BMI (FI), erythrocytosis and its non-glycemic impact on HbA1c. We investigated the association between the triglyceride-glucose index (TGI), a surrogate measure of IR and HI, and glycation gap (difference between measured HbA1c and predicted HbA1c derived from linear regression of fasting glucose) in people with normoglycemia and preT2D.

RESULTS

Inverse variance weighted MR (IVWMR) suggested that increased FI increases hemoglobin (Hb, b=0.54 ± 0.09, p=2.7 x 10^-10), red cell count (RCC, b=0.54 ± 0.12, p=5.38x10^-6) and reticulocyte (RETIC, b=0.70 ± 0.15, p=2.18x10^-6). Multivariable MR indicated that increased FI did not impact HbA1c (b=0.23 ± 0.16, p=0.162) but reduced HbA1c after adjustment for T2D (b=0.31 ± 0.13, p=0.016). Increased Hb (b=0.03 ± 0.01, p=0.02), RCC (b=0.02 ± 0.01, p=0.04) and RETIC (b=0.03 ± 0.01, p=0.002) might modestly increase FI. In the observational cohort, increased TGI associated with decreased glycation gap, (i.e., measured HbA1c was lower than expected based on fasting glucose, (b=-0.09 ± 0.009, p<0.0001)) in people with preT2D but not in those with normoglycemia (b=0.02 ± 0.007, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MR suggests increased FI increases erythrocytosis and might potentially decrease HbA1c by non-glycemic effects. Increased TGI, a surrogate measure of increased FI, associates with lower-than-expected HbA1c in people with preT2D. These findings merit confirmatory studies to evaluate their clinical significance.

Hypoglycemia prevention practice and associated factors among diabetes mellitus patients in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analyssis

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia is an urgent, life-threatening condition that requires prompt recognition and treatment for diabetes mellitus patients to prevent organ and brain damage. Hypoglycemia is one of the most important complications of diabetes mellitus patients around the globe. Hypoglycemia may increase vascular events and even death, in addition to other possible detrimental effects. In spite of the absence of other risk factors, patients receiving intensive insulin therapy are more likely to experience hypoglycemia. To reduce the risk of hypoglycemia and calculate the combined prevalence of hypoglycemia prevention practices among diabetes mellitus patients, recognition of hypoglycemia is critical.

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of this review was to evaluate the available data on Ethiopian diabetes mellitus patients' practices for preventing hypoglycemia and related factors.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This review was searched using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Google, Google Scholar, and the Web of Sciences. Microsoft Excel was used to extract the data. All statistical analyses were done using STATA Version 14 software with a random-effects model. The funnel plot and heterogeneity of the studies were checked. Subgroup analysis was done with the study area and authors' names.

RESULTS

In this systematic review, 12 studies totaling 3,639 participants were included. The estimated overall practice for preventing hypoglycemia among diabetic patients in Ethiopia were 48.33% (95% CI (28.21%, 68.46%, I2 = 99.7%, p ≤ 0.001). According to the subgroup analysis based on region, the highest estimated prevalence of the prevention practice of hypoglycemia among diabetes patients in Addis Ababa was 90%, followed by SNNRP at 76.18% and in the Amhara region at 68.31% respectively. The least prevalent was observed in the Oromia region 6.10%. In this meta-analysis, diagnoses with type II diabetes (AOR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.05, 4.04), duration (AOR = 5.49, 95%CI:3.27,7.70), taking insulin for a long time(AOR = 4.31,95%CI:2.60,6.02), having good prevention knowledge (AOR = 2.89, 95%CI: 1.15,4.23), and occupation (AOR = 4.17, 95%CI: 2.20, 6.15) were significantly associated with hypoglycemia prevention practice.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review revealed that diabetic patients in Ethiopia had poor hypoglycemia prevention practices. Being an employee, taking insulin for a long time, having a good prevention practice, and having a type of diabetes mellitus were strongly correlated with practicing hypoglycemia prevention. This review implied the subsequent need for educational interventions for an individualized patient.

Developing and evaluating a SAFER model to screen for diabetes complications among people experiencing homelessness: a pilot study protocol

Background

Diabetes management combined with housing instability intersects, forcing individuals to triage competing needs and critical stressors, such as safety and shelter, with fundamental diabetes self-management tasks like attending healthcare appointments to screen for the complications of diabetes, leaving individuals overwhelmed and overburdened. We aim to address this disjuncture found within our current healthcare delivery system by providing point-of-care screening opportunities in a more patient-centered approach.

Method

We describe a pilot study of a novel clinical intervention which provides timely, comprehensive, and accessible screening for diabetes complications to people experiencing homelessness. We will assess the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance, as per the RE-AIM framework, of a SAFER model of care (i.e., screening for A1C, feet, eyes, and renal function). A trained nurse will provide this screening within a homeless shelter. During these encounters, eligible participants will be screened for microvascular complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy) and have their A1C measured, all at the point of care, using bedside tools and novel technology. Effectiveness, our primary objective, will be evaluated using a pre-post design, by comparing the rate of completion of full microvascular screening during the study period with individuals’ own historical screening in the 2-year period prior to enrollment. The other domains of the RE-AIM framework will be assessed using process data, chart reviews, patient surveys, and qualitative semi-structured interviews with service providers and participants. This study will be conducted in a large inner-city homeless shelter within a major urban Canadian city (Calgary, Canada).

Discussion

Currently, screening for diabetes complications is often inaccessible for individuals experiencing homelessness, which places heavy burdens on individuals and, ultimately, on already strained emergency and acute care services when complications go undetected at earlier stages. The SAFER intervention will modify the current standard of care for this population in a way that is less fragmented, more person-focused, and timely, with the goal of ultimately improving the rate of screening in an acceptable fashion to identify those requiring specialist referral at earlier stages.

Healthy food prescription incentive programme for adults with type 2 diabetes who are experiencing food insecurity: protocol for a randomised controlled trial, modelling and implementation studies

INTRODUCTION

The high cost of many healthy foods poses a challenge to maintaining optimal blood glucose levels for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are experiencing food insecurity, leading to diabetes complications and excess acute care usage and costs. Healthy food prescription programmes may reduce food insecurity and support patients to improve their diet quality, prevent diabetes complications and avoid acute care use. We will use a type 2 hybrid-effectiveness design to examine the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) of a healthy food prescription incentive programme for adults experiencing food insecurity and persistent hyperglycaemia. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) will investigate programme effectiveness via impact on glycosylated haemoglobin (primary outcome), food insecurity, diet quality and other clinical and patient-reported outcomes. A modelling study will estimate longer-term programme effectiveness in reducing diabetes-related complications, resource use and costs. An implementation study will examine all RE-AIM domains to understand determinants of effective implementation and reasons behind programme successes and failures.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

594 adults who are experiencing food insecurity and persistent hyperglycaemia will be randomised to a healthy food prescription incentive (n=297) or a healthy food prescription comparison group (n=297). Both groups will receive a healthy food prescription. The incentive group will additionally receive a weekly incentive (CDN$10.50/household member) to purchase healthy foods in supermarkets for 6 months. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and follow-up (6 months) in the RCT and analysed using mixed-effects regression. Longer-term outcomes will be modelled using the UK Prospective Diabetes Study outcomes simulation model-2. Implementation processes and outcomes will be continuously measured via quantitative and qualitative data.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. Findings will be disseminated through reports, lay summaries, policy briefs, academic publications and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04725630.

PROTOCOL VERSION

Version 1.1; February 2022.

Patient-Generated Data Analytics of Health Behaviors of People Living With Type 2 Diabetes: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Complications due to type 2 diabetes (T2D) can be mitigated through proper self-management that can positively change health behaviors. Technological tools are available to help people living with, or at risk of developing, T2D to manage their condition, and such tools provide a large repository of patient-generated health data (PGHD). Analytics can provide insights into the health behaviors of people living with T2D.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to investigate what can be learned about the health behaviors of those living with, or at risk of developing, T2D through analytics from PGHD.

METHODS

A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework was conducted in which a comprehensive search of the literature was conducted by 2 reviewers. In all, 3 electronic databases (PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and ACM Digital Library) were searched using keywords associated with diabetes, behaviors, and analytics. Several rounds of screening using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were conducted, after which studies were selected. Critical examination took place through a descriptive-analytical narrative method, and data extracted from the studies were classified into thematic categories. These categories reflect the findings of this study as per our objective.

RESULTS

We identified 43 studies that met the inclusion criteria for this review. Although 70% (30/43) of the studies examined PGHD independently, 30% (13/43) combined PGHD with other data sources. Most of these studies used machine learning algorithms to perform their analysis. The themes identified through this review include predicting diabetes or obesity, deriving factors that contribute to diabetes or obesity, obtaining insights from social media or web-based forums, predicting glycemia, improving adherence and outcomes, analyzing sedentary behaviors, deriving behavior patterns, discovering clinical correlations from behaviors, and developing design principles.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased volume and availability of PGHD have the potential to derive analytical insights into the health behaviors of people living with T2D. From the literature, we determined that analytics can predict outcomes and identify granular behavior patterns from PGHD. This review determined the broad range of insights that can be examined through PGHD, which constitutes a unique source of data for these applications that would not be possible through the use of other data sources.

Cost-Comparison Analysis of a Physician-Delivered Step-Count Prescription Strategy

Background

Increments of 1000 steps/d predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) event reductions. In adults with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension, our Step Monitoring to Improve Arterial Health (SMARTER) trial demonstrated a physician-delivered step-count prescription strategy to increase steps by more than this amount over 1 year, compared to usual care. In the present analysis, we aimed to determine the costs of the intervention compared to usual care, incorporating 1-year intervention costs and projected savings from lower CVD hospitalizations over the subsequent 5 years.

Methods

We considered Canadians aged 55 to 74 years with type 2 diabetes and/or hypertension. Using time estimates from our trial, we computed nursing costs corresponding to patient support time over 1 year, and pedometer costs for an anticipated 50% of patients without a smartphone. We estimated the number of CVD hospitalizations, the reduction expected with a mean 1000 steps/d increase, and the associated savings. We calculated the net cost (savings), the proportion of patients with their own device required for cost neutrality, and costs (savings) if all patients needed to be provided with a device.

Results

At an average intervention cost of $51.28/patient, the total cost would be $168 million. With an estimated 8875 CVD events prevented, $208 million would be saved. This savings would result in ~$40 million in net savings with 50% device ownership, cost neutrality with 25% device ownership, and ~$42 million in net costs if all patients required the healthcare system to provide a device.

Conclusions

At current levels of smartphone ownership, adoption of the SMARTER strategy is cost-saving to cost-neutral from the healthcare system perspective.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness of the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor versus Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose in People with Type 1 Diabetes in Canada

BACKGROUND

The Dexcom G6 real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) system is one of the most sophisticated RT-CGM systems developed to date and became available in Canada in 2019. A health economic analysis was performed to determine the long-term cost-effectiveness of the Dexcom G6 RT-CGM system versus SMBG in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Canada.

METHODS

The analysis was performed using the IQVIA Core Diabetes Model. Based on clinical trial data, patients with mean baseline HbA1c of 8.6% were assumed to have a HbA1c reduction of 1.0% with RT-CGM versus 0.4% reduction with SMBG. RT-CGM was also associated with a quality of life (QoL) benefit owing to reduced incidence of hypoglycemia, reduced fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) and elimination of fingerstick testing. Direct medical costs were sourced from published literature, and inflated to 2019 Canadian dollars (CAD).

RESULTS

Dexcom G6 RT-CGM was projected to improve mean quality-adjusted life expectancy by 2.09 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) relative to SMBG (15.52 versus 13.43 QALYs) but mean total lifetime cots were CAD 35,353 higher with RT-CGM (CAD 227,357 versus CAD 192,004) resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of CAD 16,931 per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses revealed that assumptions relating to the QoL benefit associated with reduced FoH and the elimination of fingerstick testing with RT-CGM as well as SMBG usage and change in HbA1c were the key drivers of cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

For adults with T1D in Canada, RT-CGM is associated with improved glycemic control and QoL benefits owing to a reduced FoH and elimination of the requirement for fingerstick testing and over a lifetime time horizon is cost-effective relative to SMBG.

Using concept mapping to prioritize barriers to diabetes care and self-management for those who experience homelessness

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which demands that patients engage in self-management to achieve optimal glycemic control and avoid severe complications. Individuals who have diabetes and are experiencing homelessness are more likely to have chronic hyperglycemia and adverse outcomes. Our objective was to collaborate with individuals experiencing homelessness and care providers to understand the barriers they face in managing diabetes, as a first step in identifying solutions for enhancing diabetes management in this population.

METHODS

We recruited individuals with lived experience of homelessness and diabetes (i.e. clients; n = 32) from Toronto and health and social care providers working in the areas of diabetes and/or homelessness (i.e. providers; n = 96) from across Canada. We used concept mapping, a participatory research method, to engage participants in brainstorming barriers to diabetes management, which were subsequently categorized into clusters, using the Concept Systems Global MAX software, and rated based on their perceived impact on diabetes management. The ratings were standardized for each participant group, and the average cluster ratings for the clients and providers were compared using t-tests.

RESULTS

The brainstorming identified 43 unique barriers to diabetes management. The clients' map featured 9 clusters of barriers: Challenges to getting healthy food, Inadequate income, Navigating services, Not having a place of your own, Relationships with professionals, Diabetes education, Emotional wellbeing, Competing priorities, and Weather-related issues. The providers' map had 7 clusters: Access to healthy food, Dietary choices in the context of homelessness, Limited finances, Lack of stable, private housing, Navigating the health and social sectors, Emotional distress and competing priorities, and Mental health and addictions. The highest-rated clusters were Challenges to getting healthy food (clients) and Mental health and addictions (providers). Challenges to getting healthy food was rated significantly higher by clients (p = 0.01) and Competing priorities was rated significantly higher by providers (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Experiencing homelessness poses numerous barriers to managing diabetes, the greatest of which according to clients, is challenges to getting healthy food. This study showed that the way clients and providers perceive these barriers differs considerably, which highlights the importance of including clients' insights when assessing needs and designing effective solutions.

Glycaemic control mediates the relationships of employment status and self-stigma with self-care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationships of sociodemographic factors, self-stigma, glycaemic control (measured by glycated haemoglobin (A1C)) and self-care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

Young adults aged 25-44 years are in their most productive period. Once diagnosed with diabetes, this population tends to experience poor glycaemic control and perform poorly in self-care activities. Such patterns may raise perceptions of self-stigma and further decrease motivations to engage in self-care behaviours in patients with diabetes.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, correlational research design.

METHODS

The STROBE guidelines for cross-sectional studies were followed. A convenience sample of 115 participants was recruited from a medical centre in southern Taiwan. Instruments included the Self-Stigma Scale-Chinese version and the Diabetes Self-Care Behaviours Scale. Data were analysed using a three-step hierarchical regression analysis and the Sobel test.

RESULTS

The average age of the participants was 36.7 years. Marital status, employment status, self-stigma and A1C were significantly associated with self-care behaviours, and these four variables explained 43.6% of the variance in self-care behaviours. However, A1C (β = -.58, p < .001) was found to be the only determinant of self-care behaviours in the last regression model. The Sobel test showed that A1C had mediating effects on self-stigma and self-care behaviours as well as employment status and self-care behaviours.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the interactive relationship among self-stigma, employment status, glycaemic control and self-care behaviours in young adults with type 2 diabetes. Strategies aimed at optimising glycaemic control can help reduce the effects of self-stigma perceptions and employment status on the self-care behaviours of such patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

More effective educational programmes should be designed to improve glycaemic control, lower the effects of employment and decrease perceptions of self-stigma to further motivate young adults to engage in better diabetes self-care behaviours.

Glycemic Variability in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Saudis Using Ambulatory Glucose Profile

Background

Glucose variability (GV) is a common and challenging clinical entity in the management of people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The magnitude of GV in Saudi people with T1DM was not addressed before. Therefore, we aimed to study GV in a consecutive cohort of Saudis with T1DM.

Methods

We prospectively assessed interstitial glucose using FreeStyle^® Libre flash glucose monitoring in people with TIDM who attended follow-up in the diabetes clinics at King Fahad Medical City between March and June 2017. Glycemia profile, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), mean of daily differences (MODD), and mean amplitude of glucose excursion (MAGE) were measured using the standard equations over a period of 2 weeks.

Results

Fifty T1DM subjects (20 males) with mean age 20.2 ± 6.1 years and mean fortnight glucose 192 ± 42.3 mg/dl were included. The mean SD of 2-week glucose readings was 100.4 ± 36.3 mg/dl and CV was 52.1% ± 13%. Higher levels of glucose excursions were also observed. MODD and MAGE were recorded as 104.5 ± 51.7 and 189 ± 54.9 mg/dl, respectively which is 2 to 4 times higher than the international standards. Higher MODD and MAGE were observed on weekends compared to weekdays (111.3 ± 62.1 vs 98.6 ± 56.2 mg/dl and 196.4 ± 64.6 vs 181.7 ± 52.4 mg/dl, respectively; P ⩽ .001).

Conclusion

Higher degree of glycemic variability was observed in this cohort of TIDM Saudis. Weekends were associated with higher glucose swings than weekdays. More studies are needed to explore these findings further.

Adoption of a laboratory EMR system and inappropriate laboratory testing in Ontario: a cross-sectional observational study

Background

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems have the potential to facilitate appropriate laboratory testing. We examined three common medical tests in primary care—hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipid, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)— to assess whether adoption of a laboratory EMR system in Ontario had an impact on the rate of inappropriate testing among primary care physicians.

Methods

We used FY2016–17 population-level laboratory data to estimate the association between adoption of a laboratory EMR system and the rate of inappropriate testing. Inappropriate testing was assessed based on recommendations for screening, monitoring, and follow-up that take into account risk factors related to patient age and certain clinical conditions. To overcome the problem of potential endogeneity of physician choice to use the EMR, the EMR penetration rate in the physician’s geographical area of practice was used as an instrumental variable in an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. We then simulated the change in the rate of inappropriate testing, by physician payment model, as the EMR penetration rate increased from the baseline percentage.

Results

The simulation models showed that an increase in the rate of EMR penetration from a baseline average was associated with a statistically significant decrease in inappropriate hbA1c and lipid testing, but a statistically insignificant increase in inappropriate TSH testing. The impact of EMR penetration also varied by payment model.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a positive association between availability of an EMR system and appropriate service utilization. Varying impacts of the EMR system availability by primary care payment model may be reflective of different incentives or attributes inherent in payment models. Policies to encourage physicians to increase their use of laboratory EMR systems could improve the quality and continuity of patient care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06296-5.

The effect of dopamine agonists on metabolic variables in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review with meta analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized clinical trials

AIM

To assess the metabolic effects of dopamine agonists compared with placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adults with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible trials were identified by searching PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL. The primary outcomes were HbA1c and serious adverse events (SAEs) assessed at longest available follow-up. Secondary outcomes were fasting plasma glucose, adverse events, body weight, hypoglycaemia and triglycerides. We assessed risk of bias and evaluated the certainty of the evidence with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

Nine RCTs enrolling 3456 participants were included, six of which assessed the effect of bromocriptine, and the other three the effect of cabergoline. Dopamine agonists reduced HbA1c with 0.69 standardized mean difference (95% CI = 0.28 to 1.09; P = .0008; I² = 80%; GRADE: low) compared with placebo. There was no difference in the effect between bromocriptine and cabergoline. Heterogeneity was partly explained by dosage and study duration, both of which were inversely associated with effect size. Only one large trial reported SAEs and no difference was reported for the risk of an SAE (RR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.70 to 1.12; P = .32) between active intervention and placebo. Secondary outcomes suggested a decrease in fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides and no effect on the remaining outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Dopamine agonists reduce HbA1c as well as fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides in patients with type 2 diabetes without causing SAEs. These data are based on moderate to low quality evidence thus our confidence in the effect estimates is limited.

Association of Improved Periconception Hemoglobin A1c With Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Diabetes

IMPORTANCE

Prepregnancy diabetes is associated with higher perinatal and maternal morbidity, especially if periconception glycemic control is suboptimal. It is not known whether improved glycemic control from preconception to early pregnancy and midpregnancy periods can reduce the risk of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a net decline in glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from preconception to the first half of pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of adverse outcomes for mother and child.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This population-based cohort study was completed in all of Ontario, Canada, from 2007 to 2018. Included were births among women with prepregnancy diabetes whose HbA1c was measured within 90 days preconception and again from conception through 21 weeks completed gestation (early pregnancy to midpregnancy). Statistical analysis was performed from July to September 2020.

EXPOSURES

Net decrease in HbA1c from preconception to early pregnancy and midpregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was a congenital anomaly from birth to age 1 year. Other outcomes included preterm birth or perinatal mortality among offspring as well as severe maternal morbidity (SMM) or death among mothers. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) were calculated per 0.5% absolute net decline in HbA1c from preconception up to early pregnancy and midpregnancy, adjusting for maternal age at conception, preconception HbA1c and hemoglobin concentration, and gestational age at HbA1c measurement.

RESULTS

A total of 3459 births were included, with a mean (SD) maternal age of 32.6 (5.0) years at conception. Overall, the mean (SD) HbA1c decreased from 7.2% (1.6%) preconception to 6.4% (1.1%) in early pregnancy to midpregnancy. There were 497 pregnancies (14.4%) with a congenital anomaly, with an aRR of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.89-0.98) per 0.5% net decrease in HbA1c, including for cardiac anomalies (237 infants; aRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.95). The risk was also reduced for preterm birth (847 events; aRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.91). SMM or death occurred among 191 women (5.5%), with an aRR of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84-0.96) per 0.5% net decrease in HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that women with prepregnancy diabetes who achieve a reduction in HbA1c may have improved perinatal and maternal outcomes. Further study is recommended to determine the best combination of factors, such as lifestyle changes and/or glucose-lowering medications, that can influence periconception HbA1c reduction.

Intervention through Short Messaging System (SMS) and phone call alerts reduced HbA1C levels in ~47% type-2 diabetics-results of a pilot study

PURPOSE

Despite extensive research and newer methods of interventions, the incidence and prevalence of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, according to world health organization (WHO) statistics, 422 million individuals are suffering from diabetes worldwide. In India, recent estimates have reported a significant increase in the number of diabetics in the last decade. Poor dietary habits, minimal adherence to treatment regimens, lack of timely education are some of the contributing factors for increasing incidence and huge economic burden; which can be handled by life style behavior modifications backed up by hand holding through continuous education. Prior studies have demonstrated the efficacy of various self-management tools and educational programs in better disease management behaviors among individuals with diabetes. Among various self-management tools, educating the individuals and alerting them using mobile phone calls and short messaging system (SMS) are widely accepted due to (a) the increasing mobile phone users and (b) availability of short messaging systems in local languages in the recent years. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted to determine the benefit of educating patients through phone calls and SMS in the self-management of diabetes.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to determine the feasibility and utility of SMS and phone call-based interventions in the management of diabetes by comparing the HbA1c values.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted for a period of 14 months from December 2017 till Feb 2019. Out of 380 individuals initially enrolled into the study, 120 had completed the 14-months period. Diabetes education through SMS and phone calls was provided on regular basis, and HbA1C levels at baseline, 8-months and 14-months quantified. In addition, feedback on patients' satisfaction and utility of the SMS / Phone calls was collected using questionnaires.

RESULTS

Data from our study demonstrated that after 8-months of intervention through phone calls, a significant increase in the number of individuals with HbA1c in the range of 5.1 to 7.0 was observed (from 27 individuals at base line to 37 individuals after 8-months intervention). Much more significant improvement in the number of individuals with lower HbA1c was observed at 14-months of intervention, indicating the benefit of regular phone call-based system in managing diabetes. A Chi square (χ2) test was performed to examine if the frequencies in the cells varied at baseline and at 8 and 14 months.

CONCLUSION

Chronic diseases like diabetes needs awareness and education to patients in adopting disease self-management practices. As mobile phone users are increasing in number, providing diabetes management education through mobile phone intervention could be a viable strategy for controlling diabetes.

Fisher's Linear Discriminant Function Analysis and its Potential Utility as a Tool for the Assessment of Health-and-Wellness Programs in Indigenous Communities

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health problem affecting persons in both developed and developing nations. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is reported to be several times higher among Indigenous populations compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) is a potential tool that can be used to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of Indigenous health-and-wellness programs (e.g., on-the-land programs, T2DM interventions), by creating a type of pre-and-post-program scoring system. As the communities of the Eeyou Istchee territory, subarctic Quebec, Canada, have varying degrees of isolation, we derived a DFA tool for point-of-contact evaluations to aid in monitoring and assessment of health-and-wellness programs in rural and remote locations. We developed several DFA models to discriminate between those with and without T2DM status using age, fasting blood glucose, body mass index, waist girth, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in participants from the Eeyou Istchee. The models showed a ~97% specificity (i.e., true positives for non-T2DM) in classification. This study highlights how varying risk factor models can be used to discriminate those without T2DM with high specificity among James Bay Cree communities in Canada.

Monitoring, treatment and control of blood glucose and lipids in Ontario First Nations people with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Indigenous people worldwide are disproportionately affected by diabetes and its complications. We aimed to assess the monitoring, treatment and control of blood glucose and lipids in First Nations people in Ontario.

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal population-based study using administrative data for all people in Ontario with diabetes, stratified by First Nations status. We assessed age- and sex-specific rates of completion of recommended monitoring for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and glycated hemoglobin (A_1c) from 2001/02 to 2014/15. We used data from 2014/15 to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of rates of achievement of A_1c and LDL targets and use of glucose-lowering medications.

RESULTS

The study included 22 240 First Nations people and 1 319 503 other people in Ontario with diabetes. Rates of monitoring according to guidelines were 20%-50% for A_1c and 30%-70% for lipids and were lowest for younger First Nations men. The mean age- and sex-adjusted A_1c level was higher among First Nations people than other people (7.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.57 to 7.61] v. 7.03 [95% CI 7.02 to 7.03]). An A_1c level of 8.5% or higher was observed in 24.7% (95% CI 23.6 to 25.0) of First Nations people, compared to 12.8% (95% CI 12.1 to 13.5) of other people in Ontario. An LDL level of 2.0 mmol/L or less was observed in 60.3% (95% CI 59.7 to 61.6) of First Nations people, compared to 52.0% (95% CI 51.1 to 52.9) of other people in Ontario. Among those aged 65 or older, a higher proportion of First Nations people than other Ontarians were using insulin (28.1% v. 15.1%), and fewer were taking no medications (28.3% v. 40.1%).

INTERPRETATION

As of 2014/15, monitoring and achievement of glycemic control in both First Nations people and other people in Ontario with diabetes remained suboptimal. Interventions to support First Nations patients to reach their treatment goals and reduce the risk of complications need further development and study.

Prepregnancy Diabetes and Perinatal Mental Illness: A Population-Based Latent Class Analysis

We examined the risk of any perinatal mental illness associated with prepregnancy diabetes and identified how diabetes duration, complexity, and intensity of care affect this risk. We performed a population-based study of women aged 15-49 years with (n = 14,186) and without (n = 843,818) prepregnancy diabetes who had a singleton livebirth (Ontario, Canada, 2005-2015) and no recent mental illness. Modified Poisson regression estimated perinatal mental illness risk between conception and 1 year postpartum in women with versus without diabetes and in diabetes groups, defined by a latent class analysis of diabetes duration, complexity, and intensity-of-care variables, versus women without diabetes. Women with diabetes were more likely than those without to develop perinatal mental illness (18.1% vs. 16.0%; adjusted relative risk = 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.15). Latent classes of women with diabetes were: uncomplicated and not receiving regular care (59.7%); complicated, with longstanding diabetes, and receiving regular care (16.4%); and recently diagnosed, with comorbidities, and receiving regular care (23.9%). Perinatal mental illness risk was elevated in all classes versus women without diabetes (adjusted relative risks: 1.09-1.12), but results for class 2 were nonsignificant after adjustment. Women with diabetes could benefit from preconception and perinatal strategies to reduce their mental illness risk.

Risk of severe maternal morbidity or death in relation to elevated hemoglobin A1c preconception, and in early pregnancy: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The relation between prepregnancy average glucose concentration and a woman's risk of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is unknown. The current study evaluated whether an elevated preconception hemoglobin A1c (A1c) is associated with SMM or maternal death among women with and without known prepregnancy diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS AND FINDINGS

A population-based cohort study was completed in Ontario, Canada, where there is universal healthcare. The main cohort included 31,225 women aged 16-50 years with a hospital live birth or stillbirth from 2007 to 2015, and who had an A1c measured within 90 days before conception, including 28,075 women (90%) without known prepregnancy DM. The main outcome was SMM or maternal mortality from 23 weeks' gestation up to 42 days postpartum. Relative risks (RRs) were generated using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for the main covariates of maternal age, multifetal pregnancy, world region of origin, and tobacco/drug dependence. The mean maternal age was 31.1 years. Overall, SMM or death arose among 682 births (2.2%). The RR of SMM or death was 1.16 (95% CI 1.14-1.19; p < 0.001) per 0.5% increase in A1c and 1.16 (95% CI 1.13-1.18; p < 0.001) after adjusting for the main covariates. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) was increased among those with (1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.14; p < 0.001) and without (1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29; p < 0.001) known prepregnancy diabetes, and upon further adjusting for body mass index (BMI) (1.15, 95% CI 1.11-1.20; p < 0.001), or chronic hypertension and prepregnancy serum creatinine (1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.18; p = 0.002). The aRR of SMM or death was 1.31 (95% CI 1.06-1.62; p = 0.01) in those with a preconception A1c of 5.8%-6.4%, and 2.84 (95% CI 2.31-3.49; p < 0.001) at an A1c > 6.4%, each relative to an A1c < 5.8%. Among those without previously recognized prepregnancy diabetes and whose A1c was >6.4%, the aRR of SMM or death was 3.25 (95% CI 1.76-6.00; p < 0.001). Study limitations include that selection bias may have incorporated less healthy women tested for A1c, and BMI was unknown for many women.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that women with an elevated A1c preconception may be at higher risk of SMM or death in pregnancy or postpartum, including those without known prepregnancy DM.

A high-throughput test for diabetes care: An evaluation of the next generation Roche Cobas c 513 hemoglobin A1C assay

Objectives

The level of glycated hemoglobin A (HbA_1C) in blood is the preferred marker for diabetes monitoring and treatment. Here, we evaluate the analytical performance of the Roche Diagnostics Cobas c 513, a stand-alone HbA_1C immunoassay analyzer.

Design and Methods

Performance was assessed with regards to imprecision, accuracy, linearity, method comparison against the Roche Cobas Integra 800 CTS, specimen stability, interference from common hemoglobin variants and hemoglobin F, and throughput.

Results

Within-run and between-run precisions were 0.5–0.7 and 0.8–1.3%CV, respectively. An average bias of −1.6% to proficiency survey samples was observed. The c 513 correlated well with the Integra (slope = 0.94, y-intercept = 0.50, and correlation coefficient = 0.998). The effect of hemoglobin variants on this assay was negligible while specimens containing ≥10% HbF demonstrated a negative bias. The c 513 instrument can process up to 340 samples per hour.

Conclusions

The c 513 is a precise, accurate, automated high throughput analyzer for measuring HbA_1C in large laboratories.

The Role of Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Diabetes Smartphone Applications, and Self-Care Behavior in Glycemic Control: Results of a Multi-National Online Survey

Background: This study investigated the determinants (with a special emphasis on the role of diabetes app use, use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device, and self-care behavior) of glycemic control of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A web-based survey was conducted using diabetes Facebook groups, online patient-forums, and targeted Facebook advertisements (ads). Demographic, CGM, diabetes app use, and self-care behavior data were collected. Glycemic level data were categorized into hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and good control. Multinomial logistic regression stratified by diabetes type was performed. Results: The survey URL was posted in 78 Facebook groups and eight online forums, and ten targeted Facebook ads were conducted yielding 1854 responses. Of those owning smartphones (n = 1753, 95%), 1052 (62.6%) had type 1 and 630 (37.4%) had type 2 DM. More than half of the type 1 respondents (n = 549, 52.2%) and one third the respondents with type 2 DM (n = 210, 33.3%) reported using diabetes apps. Increased odds of experiencing hyperglycemia were noted in persons with type 1 DM with lower educational status (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.7; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.21–2.39); smokers (1.63, 95% CI: 1.15–2.32), and high diabetes self-management concern (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.15–2.32). CGM use (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44–1.00); “general diet” (AOR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79–0.94); and “blood glucose monitoring” (AOR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.80–0.97) self-care behavior reduced the odds of experiencing hyperglycemia. Hypoglycemia in type 1 DM was reduced by using CGM (AOR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09–0.60), while it was increased by experiencing a high diabetes self-management concern (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.04–3.61). Hyperglycemia in type 2 DM was increased by age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.04); high self-management concern (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.74–3.84); and poor confidence in self-management capacity (AOR = 3.22, 2.07–5.00). Conversely, diabetes app use (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41–0.96) and “general diet” self-care (AOR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75–0.94), were significantly associated with the reduced odds of hyperglycemia. Conclusion: Diabetes apps, CGM, and educational interventions aimed at reducing self-management concerns and enhancing dietary self-care behavior and self-management confidence may help patients with diabetes to improve glycemic control.

Reaching out to diabetic soles: Outreach foot care pilot project

Objectives:

To assess the effectiveness of outreach foot care services as a tool for engagement with isolated vulnerable seniors. To improve foot health of diabetic seniors, thus avoiding expensive and potentially life-threatening diabetic complications.

Methods:

Four validated tools are used to gather data: InLow 60-second Diabetic Foot Screen©, Short Diabetes Knowledge Instrument for Older and Minority Adults, Brief Healthcare Questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and the Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results:

Five monthly visits to 20 participants resulted in multiple co-morbidities being identified, improvements in foot status and diabetic knowledge realized, and determinants of health addressed. Seniors needed support and resources to engage in diabetes self-management.

Conclusion:

The importance of regular foot care as a key element of any self-management plan for diabetes cannot be understated, nor can increasing social services spending to include coverage for foot care thereby avoiding expensive healthcare. Using foot care as a tool for engagement conferred access to vulnerable seniors who ultimately benefited from healthcare and social interactions with a provider.