Role of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in patients with recalcitrant diabetes in South India

Treatment regimens and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in youth with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: Data from SEARCH (United States) and YDR (India) registries

OBJECTIVE

To compare treatment regimens and glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) levels in Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) using diabetes registries from two countries-U.S. SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth (SEARCH) and Indian Registry of youth onset diabetes in India (YDR).

METHODS

The SEARCH and YDR data were harmonized to the structure and terminology in the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model. Data used were from T1D and T2D youth diagnosed <20 years between 2006-2012 for YDR, and 2006, 2008, and 2012 for SEARCH. We compared treatment regimens and A1c levels across the two registries.

RESULTS

There were 4003 T1D (SEARCH = 1899; YDR = 2104) and 611 T2D (SEARCH = 384; YDR = 227) youth. The mean A1c was higher in YDR compared to SEARCH (T1D:11.0% ± 2.9% vs 7.8% ± 1.7%, P < .001; T2D:9.9% ± 2.8% vs 7.2% ± 2.1%, P < .001). Among T1D youth in SEARCH, 65.1% were on a basal/bolus regimen, whereas in YDR, 52.8% were on once/twice daily insulin regimen. Pumps were used by 16.2% of SEARCH and 1.5% of YDR youth with T1D. Among T2D youth, in SEARCH and YDR, a majority were on metformin only (43.0% vs 30.0%), followed by insulin + any oral hypoglycemic agents (26.3% vs 13.7%) and insulin only (12.8% vs 18.9%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

We found significant differences between SEARCH and YDR in treatment patterns in T1D and T2D. A1c levels were higher in YDR than SEARCH youth, for both T1D and T2D, irrespective of the regimens used. Efforts to achieve better glycemic control for youth are urgently needed to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Digital health and diabetes: experience from India

The digitization of healthcare and its usage in the delivery of healthcare have experienced exponential growth across the world in recent times. India's fast-growing diabetes population has been exerting immense pressure on the country's healthcare infrastructure. Various innovative and evolving technologies are converging to impact the trajectory of digital health in diabetes. The diabetes community has been adopting various technologies such as connected glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring systems, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, closed-loop systems, digitalization of health data, and diabetes-related apps for the prevention and management of the condition. India has provided some excellent examples in exploiting the potential of digital transformation in revamping the diabetes ecosystem. Yet, there are still various hurdles in technology development, healthcare delivery, as well as concerns related to data privacy, digital divide, policies by the government, role of stakeholders, attitude, and absorption by healthcare professionals, and hospitals. This article provides an overview of the digital diabetes technologies currently practiced in India and recommends the need for strong technology adaptation and policy interventions for an ideal roadmap of digitalization of diabetes care in the Indian milieu.

Breaking Socioeconomic Barriers in Diabetes Technologies: Outcomes of a Pilot Insulin Pump Programme for the Underprivileged in Rural India

AIM

To assess whether the socioeconomic and stereotypical barriers for the adoption of advanced diabetes technologies can be overcome in the underprivileged children and their families in India, predominantly from the rural areas, by providing insulin pump therapy (CSII) to deserving patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients were selected from the type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) database of the Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore. Sixteen people with type 1 diabetes (PWD) were chosen due to poor control or an urgent situation like pregnancy or renal failure. Demographic data along with variables such as age, sex, time of diagnosis of T1DM, duration of CSII therapy, total daily insulin dose, hypoglycaemias, hospitalisations, glycosylated haemoglobin pre- and post-pump were collected. The glycosylated haemoglobin values were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months, post-CSII hypoglycaemia was defined as self-reported hypoglycaemia by the patient.

RESULTS

During 12 month follow-up, all 16 PWD were using the insulin pump with significant reductions in HbA1c from 11.4% at baseline to 8.0% (P < 0.001) and 7.6% at the end of 3 and 6 months, respectively.

DISCUSSION

Our results indicate that the CSII therapy without prejudice can lead to significant reductions in glycaemic control, hospitalisations and quality of life. This pilot work will help us lobby government policy makers to ensure policy changes that help the underprivileged with T1DM in India.

Clinical Outcomes After 1 Year of Augmented Insulin Pump Therapy in Patients with Diabetes in a Specialized Diabetes Center in Medellín, Colombia

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes can be difficult to control. Augmented pump therapy (CSII-rtCGM) has become an important tool for controlling blood glucose and decreasing hypoglycemia.

METHODS

Describe the results 1 year after starting CSII-rtCGM in patients with diabetes in Medellín, Colombia. This is an observational, retrospective study. Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes started on CSII-rtCGM between January 2008 and June 2015 were included. Qualitative variables were analyzed as absolute or relative frequencies. Quantitative variables were obtained through central tendency and dispersion according to the normal distribution of the analyzed variable using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. SPSS 19 from IBM was used.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven patients were identified, of those 183 were included. The starting HbA1C was 8.7% ± 1.7% and 7.4% ± 0.8% (P < 0.05) 1 year later. 16.5% of patients had been admitted to the hospital before starting CSII-rtCGM, after 1 year the admission rate was 6.0% (P < 0.05). The incidence of severe hypoglycemia at the beginning was 32%, 1 year later it was 7.1%.

CONCLUSION

CSII-rtCGM therapy improves glucose control and decreases severe hypoglycemic events and hospital admission rate.

Use of insulin pumps in India: suggested guidelines based on experience and cultural differences

All type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) subjects and the majority of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects at one time or another require insulin to sustain life. Syringes and pens are presently the most popular insulin delivery devices. Though in use for more than 3 decades, insulin pumps are now being more commonly used because of their unique ability to continuously infuse insulin, closely mimicking that of physiological secretion from a normal pancreas. Unlike insulin shots with syringes, pump infusion sites need to be changed less frequently. Scientific evidence from published studies have proven added benefit of insulin pumps in improving quality of life, normalizing sugars in recalcitrant diabetes, improving sexual function, and relieving the intractable pain of neuropathy. In the western world, pumps are commonly used with T1DM subjects, whereas in India 80% of pumpers are T2DM subjects. The success of insulin pump therapy depends on selection of the right candidate, extensive education, motivation, and implementing the sophisticated programs with skill. However, all affordable patients are not ideal candidates for pump therapy because for successful continuation of pump therapy other inclusion criteria should also be fulfilled. Among the other indications discussed are a high level of insulin resistance, brittle diabetes, chronic kidney disease on renal replacement therapy, and continuous glucose monitoring pattern strongly suggesting need for a variable basal insulin infusion rate. In International Diabetes Foundation data released in 2009, estimated diabetes prevalence for 2010 is 285 million, representing 6.4% of the world's adult population, with a prediction that by 2030 the number of people with diabetes will have increased to 438 million. Considering this massive growth in T2DM and its propensity after 10–15 years to lead to an insulin-deficient state, available evidence from studies is a compelling indication not to deny the benefits of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in selected T2DM subjects. This article aims at suggesting guidelines based on clinical experience and cultural diversity for India and developing countries.

Role of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pump) in reducing blood glucose in four patients with type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis: a case series

BACKGROUND

Some people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cirrhosis tend to have fluctuating glucose values usually uncontrolled with conventional therapy. The aim of this case series was to retrospectively analyze the effect of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) on four patients with cirrhosis and poorly controlled T2DM.

METHODS

The four patients in this case series presented with chronic cirrhosis with no ascitis, preexisting T2DM, and inadequate blood glucose (BG) control with conventional insulin therapy. After initiation of CSII, patients' BG values were monitored at regular intervals, and basal and bolus doses were adjusted. Fasting BG, postprandial BG, and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values were monitored while the patient was in the hospital, upon discharge, and at one follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The daily dose of insulin was reduced in three patients. Fasting and postprandial BG values returned to normal ranges for all four patients. HbA1c was reduced in all four patients and reduced to normal ranges in two patients. There were no recorded incidents of severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, or weight gain associated with the use of CSII.

CONCLUSION

Initiation of CSII in patients with T2DM and cirrhosis was beneficial in controlling BG values in the four patients studied in this case series.