Self-monitoring of blood glucose in diabetes: from evidence to clinical reality in Central and Eastern Europe--recommendations from the international Central-Eastern European expert group

A wearable microneedle patch incorporating reversible FRET-based hydrogel sensors for continuous glucose monitoring

Continuous glucose monitors are crucial for diabetes management, but invasive sampling, signal drift and frequent calibrations restrict their widespread usage. Microneedle sensors are emerging as a minimally-invasive platform for real-time monitoring of clinical parameters in interstitial fluid. Herein, a painless and flexible microneedle sensing patch is constructed by a mechanically-strong microneedle base and a thin layer of fluorescent hydrogel sensor for on-site, accurate, and continuous glucose monitoring. The Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based hydrogel sensors are fabricated by facile photopolymerizations of acryloylated FRET pairs and glucose-specific phenylboronic acid. The optimized hydrogel sensor enables quantification of glucose with reversibility, high selectivity, and signal stability against photobleaching. Poly (ethylene glycol diacrylate)-co-polyacrylamide hydrogel is utilized as the microneedle base, facilitating effective skin piercing and biofluid extraction. The integrated microneedle sensor patch displays a sensitivity of 0.029 mM-1 in the (patho)physiological range, a low detection limit of 0.193 mM, and a response time of 7.7 min in human serum. Hypoglycemia, euglycemia and hyperglycemia are continuously monitored over 6 h simulated meal and rest activities in a porcine skin model. This microneedle sensor with high transdermal analytical performance offers a powerful tool for continuous diabetes monitoring at point-of-care settings.

A Biomineralized Bifunctional Patient-Friendly Nanosystem for Sustained Glucose Monitoring and Control in Diabetes

Regular blood glucose monitoring and control is necessary for people with type 1 or advanced type 2 diabetes, yet diagnosing and treating patients with diabetes in an accurate, sustained and patient-friendly manner remains limited. Here, a glucose-responsive bifunctional nanosystem (PGOxMns) is constructed via one-pot biomineralisation of manganese dioxide with glucose oxidase and ε-poly-L-lysine. Under hyperglycaemic conditions, the cascade reactions that occur when glucose interacts with PGOxMns can trigger the production of Mn(II), which enhances the magnetic resonance imaging signal. Simultaneously, manganese dioxide catalyses the decomposition of toxic hydrogen peroxide into oxygen, which also maintains glucose oxidase (GOx) activity. In an in vivo model of diabetes, PGOxMns is used to monitor glucose levels (0-20 mm) and allowed identification of diabetic mice via T1-weighted MRI. Furthermore, PGOxMns is found to have a high insulin-loading capacity (83.6%), likely due to its positive charge. A single subcutaneous injection of insulin-loaded nanosystem (Ins-PGOxMns) into diabetic mice resulted in a rapid and efficient response to a glucose challenge and prolonged blood glucose level control (< 200 mg dL-1) for up to 50 h. Overall, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility of using biomineralised nanosystems to develop patient-friendly strategies for glucose monitoring and control.

Continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasingly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but the effects on glycaemic control are unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of CGM on glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review using Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception until 2 May 2023. We included RCTs investigating real-time CGM (rtCGM) or intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in adults with type 2 diabetes. Studies with an intervention duration <6 weeks or investigating professional CGM, a combination of CGM and additional glucose-lowering treatment strategies or GlucoWatch were not eligible. Change in HbA1c and the CGM metrics time in range (TIR), time below range (TBR), time above range (TAR) and glycaemic variability were extracted. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool version 2. Data were synthesised by performing a meta-analysis. We also explored the effects of CGM on severe hypoglycaemia and micro- and macrovascular complications.

RESULTS

We found 12 RCTs comprising 1248 participants, with eight investigating rtCGM and four isCGM. Compared with SMBG, CGM use (rtCGM or isCGM) led to a mean difference (MD) in HbA1c of -3.43 mmol/mol (-0.31%; 95% CI -4.75, -2.11, p<0.00001, I2=15%; moderate certainty). This effect was comparable in studies that included individuals using insulin with or without oral agents (MD -3.27 mmol/mol [-0.30%]; 95% CI -6.22, -0.31, p=0.03, I2=55%), and individuals using oral agents only (MD -3.22 mmol/mol [-0.29%]; 95% CI -5.39, -1.05, p=0.004, I2=0%). Use of rtCGM showed a trend towards a larger effect (MD -3.95 mmol/mol [-0.36%]; 95% CI -5.46 to -2.44, p<0.00001, I2=0%) than use of isCGM (MD -1.79 mmol/mol [-0.16%]; 95% CI -5.28, 1.69, p=0.31, I2=64%). CGM was also associated with an increase in TIR (+6.36%; 95% CI +2.48, +10.24, p=0.001, I2=9%) and a decrease in TBR (-0.66%; 95% CI -1.21, -0.12, p=0.02, I2=45%), TAR (-5.86%; 95% CI -10.88, -0.84, p=0.02, I2=37%) and glycaemic variability (-1.47%; 95% CI -2.94, -0.01, p=0.05, I2=0%). Three studies reported one or more events of severe hypoglycaemia and macrovascular complications. In comparison with SMBG, CGM use led to a non-statistically significant difference in the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.15, 3.00, p=0.57, I2=0%) and macrovascular complications (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.42, 5.72, p=0.52, I2=29%). No trials reported data on microvascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

CGM use compared with SMBG is associated with improvements in glycaemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, all studies were open label. In addition, outcome data on incident severe hypoglycaemia and incident microvascular and macrovascular complications were scarce.

REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (ID CRD42023418005).

Commutable Blood Materials from the Fixed-Cell Method for Performance Evaluation of Blood Glucose by a Glucose Meter

Glucose meters provide a rapid blood glucose status for evidence-based diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. We aimed to evaluate the commutability of processed blood materials (PBMs) and their use in the performance evaluation of glucose meters. Two PBMs obtained by the fixed-cell method were analyzed for homogeneity, stability, and commutability. The compatibility of ten pairs between mass spectrometry and each glucose meter was categorized as compatible (mean paired difference ≤ 5%) and incompatible (mean paired difference > 5%). The performance of glucose meter 1 (n = 767) and glucose meter 2 (n = 266) was assessed. The glucose in the PBMs remained homogenized and stable for at least 180 days. Six out of ten pairs had commutable PBMs. Commutability of PBMs was observed in both well-compatible and incompatible glucose results. Target glucose values from mass spectrometry were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from consensus values in one group of glucose meters. When commutable PBMs were used, glucose meter 1 showed better performance than glucose meter 2, and the percentage of satisfaction was associated when using target values for glucose from mass spectrometry and consensus values, but the performance of glucose meter 2 was not associated. PBM from a fixed-cell method could be mass produced with acceptable homogeneity and stability. Commutability testing of PBMs is required prior to use in the performance evaluation of glucose meters, as the commutability of glucose in the PBMs obtained by a fixed-cell method was variable and depended on the individual glucose meter.

Correlational analysis between salivary and blood glucose levels in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the association of patient-related demographic, socioeconomic status, physical activity, stress, and dietary factors influencing the relationship between salivary and blood glucose levels in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 166 participants with and without DM. Saliva and blood were collected to estimate the glucose levels. Age, gender, occupation, socioeconomic and education level, BMI, hip to waist circumference, stress, dietary pattern, lifestyle, physical activity, family history of diabetes, and type of diabetes were recorded. The association of saliva to predict blood glucose levels was analysed using Spearman Rank Correlation and how these patient-related factors influence the correlation was estimated for future machine learning models. The difference in medians for various groups was calculated using the Mann-Whitney U Test or Kruskal Wallis Test.

RESULTS

Blood glucose level is not significantly correlated to salivary glucose level. However, a statistically significant difference in the median blood glucose levels for diabetic participants (median = 137) compared to healthy controls (p-value < .05) was noted. The correlation between blood and salivary glucose was more positive for higher levels of glucose (Spearman 0.4). Age, alcohol consumption, monthly wages, intake of vegetables, and socioeconomic status affect blood glucose levels.

CONCLUSION

A correlation between saliva and blood glucose levels in healthy individuals was weak. Saliva should only be used as a monitoring tool rather than a diagnostic tool and is more reliable for patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus.

Direct Electron Transfer of Glucose Oxidase on Pre-Anodized Paper/Carbon Electrodes Modified through Zero-Length Cross-Linkers for Glucose Biosensors

A disposable paper-based glucose biosensor with direct electron transfer (DET) of glucose oxidase (GOX) was developed through simple covalent immobilization of GOX on a carbon electrode surface using zero-length cross-linkers. This glucose biosensor exhibited a high electron transfer rate (ks, 3.363 s^-1) as well as good affinity (km, 0.03 mM) for GOX while keeping innate enzymatic activities. Furthermore, the DET-based glucose detection was accomplished by employing both square wave voltammetry and chronoamperometric techniques, and it achieved a glucose detection range from 5.4 mg/dL to 900 mg/dL, which is wider than most commercially available glucometers. This low-cost DET glucose biosensor showed remarkable selectivity, and the use of the negative operating potential avoided interference from other common electroactive compounds. It has great potential to monitor different stages of diabetes from hypoglycemic to hyperglycemic states, especially for self-monitoring of blood glucose.

Diabetes mellitus monitoring and control among adults in Australian general practice: a national retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated whether the monitoring and control of clinical parameters are better among patients with newly compared with past recorded diabetes diagnosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

MedicineInsight, a national general practice database in Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

101 875 'regular' adults aged 18+ years with past recorded (2015-2016) and 9236 with newly recorded (2017) diabetes diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Two different groups of outcomes were assessed in 2018. The first group of outcomes was the proportion of patients with clinical parameters (ie, glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-to-creatinine ratio) monitored at least once in 2018. The second group of outcomes were those related to diabetes control in 2018 (HbA1c ≤7.0%, (BP) ≤140/90 mm Hg, total cholesterol <4.0 mmol/L and LDL-C <2.0 mmol/L). Adjusted ORs (OR_adj) and adjusted probabilities (%) were obtained based on logistic regression models adjusted for practice variables and patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

The study included 111 111 patients (51.7% men; mean age 65.3±15.0 years) with recorded diabetes diagnosis (11.0% of all 1 007 714 adults in the database). HbA1c was monitored in 39.2% (95% CI 36.9% to 41.6%) of patients with newly recorded and 45.2% (95% CI 42.6% to 47.8%) with past recorded diabetes (OR_adj 0.78, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.82). HbA1c control was achieved by 78.4% (95% CI 76.7% to 80.0%) and 54.4% (95% CI 53.4% to 55.4%) of monitored patients with newly or past recorded diabetes, respectively (OR_adj 3.11, 95% CI 2.82 to 3.39). Less than 20% of patients with newly or past recorded diabetes had their HbA1c, BP and total cholesterol levels controlled (OR_adj 1.08, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.21).

CONCLUSIONS

The monitoring of clinical parameters was lower among patients with newly than past recorded diabetes. However, diabetes control was similarly low in both groups, with only one in five monitored patients achieving control of all clinical parameters.

Implementation of self-monitoring of blood glucose for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes at a rural non-communicable disease clinic in Neno, Malawi

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a widely accepted standard of practice for management of insulin-dependentdiabetes, yet is largely unavailable in rural sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This prospective cohort study is the first known report ofimplementation of SMBG in a rural, low-income country setting.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate adherence and change in clinical outcomes with SMBG implementation at two rural hospitals in Neno, Malawi.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes were trained to use glucometers and logbooks. Participantsmonitored preprandial glucose daily at rotating times and overnight glucose once a week. Healthcare providers were trained to evaluateglucose trends, and adjusted insulin regimens based on results. Adherence was measured as the frequency with which patients checked anddocumented blood glucose at prescribed times, while clinical changes were measured by change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) over a6-month period.

RESULTS

Participants brought their glucometers and logbooks to the clinic 95 - 100% of the time. Adherence with measuring glucose valuesand recording them in logbooks eight times a week was high (mean (standard deviation) 69.4% (15.7) and 69.0% (16.6), respectively). MeanHbA1c decreased from 9.0% (75 mmol/mol) at enrolment to 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) at 6 months (mean difference 1.2% (95% confidenceinterval (CI) 0.6 - 2.0; p=0.0005). The difference was greater for type 1 diabetes (1.6%; 95% CI 0.6 - 2.7; p=0.0031) than for type 2 diabetes(0.9%; 95% CI 0.1 - 1.9; p=0.0630). There was no documented increase in hypoglycaemic events, and no hospitalisations or deaths occurred.

CONCLUSION

SMBG is feasible for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes in a rural SSA population, and may be associated with improvedHbA1c levels. Despite common misconceptions, all patients, regardless of education level, can benefit from SMBG. Further research onlong-term retention of SMBG activities and the benefits of increasing frequency of monitoring is warranted.

The Association of Personality Traits and Parameters of Glycemic Regulation in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Using isCGM

This study aimed to examine the impact of personality on glycemic regulation in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The study group consisted of subjects with T1DM, who were ≥ 18 years of age. The study was conducted in two phases: At baseline, subjects completed the Croatian version of the International Personality Item Pool scale (IPIP50s) and a questionnaire designed to gather socioeconomic data, duration of diabetes, presence of chronic complications, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, frequency, and type of pre-existing hypoglycemic episodes per week. Blood and urine samples were collected and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Each participant was provided with the intermittently scanned glucose monitoring system (isCGM) Freestyle Libre. During the second visit (3 months from the start of the trial), glycemic parameters were collected from the reports generated from the Freestyle Libre system. Estimated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were significantly lower after three months compared to baseline HbA1c (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). An inverse correlation between the number of daily scans and degree of extraversion among subjects was observed, e.g., higher degrees of extraversion resulted in lower numbers of daily scans, while lower degrees of extraversion, i.e., introvertedness, resulted in higher numbers of daily scans (Rho = −0.238 p = 0.009). There was a positive correlation between emotional stability and time spent in hypoglycemia (Rho = 0.214; p = 0.02). In addition, a shorter duration of diabetes was associated with higher percentages of TIR and vice versa (p = 0.02). Investigating personality traits can be a useful tool for identifying patients predisposed to hypoglycemia and lower scanning frequency. Patients with a longer history of T1DM require closer follow-up and should be re-educated when necessary.

Comparison of the Impact of Insulin Degludec U100 and Insulin Glargine U300 on Glycemic Variability and Oxidative Stress in Insulin-Naive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Pilot Study for a Randomized Trial

Background

There is an ongoing discussion about possible differences between insulin degludec (IDeg-100) and glargine U300 (IGlar-300). There is little data and head-to-head comparison of IDeg-100 and IGlar-300 regarding their simultaneous impact on glycemic variability and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objective

In our randomized, open-label, crossover study, we compared the impact of IDeg-100 and IGlar-300 on glycemic variability and oxidative stress in insulin-naive patients with T2DM.

Methods

We recruited a total of 25 adult patients with T2DM (7 females) whose diabetes was uncontrolled (HbA1c ≥7.5%) on two or more oral glucose-lowering drugs; a total of 22 completed the study. Mean age was 57.3 (SD 6.99) years and duration of diabetes was 9.94 (SD 5.01) years. After the washout period, they were randomized alternately to first receive either IDeg-100 or IGlar-300 along with metformin. Each insulin was administered for 12 weeks and then switched. At the beginning and end of each phase, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. On 3 consecutive days prior to each control point, patients performed a 7-point self-monitoring of blood glucose profile. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring thiol groups and hydroperoxides (determination of reactive oxygen metabolites test) in serum.

Results

IGlar-300 reduced mean glucose by 0.02-0.13 mmol/L, and IDeg-100 reduced glucose by 0.10-0.16 mmol/L, with no significant difference. The reduction of the coefficient of glucose variation also did not show a statistically significant difference. IGlar-300 increased thiols by 0.08 µmol/L and IDeg-100 increased thiols by 0.15 µmol/L, with no significant difference (P=.07) between them. IGlar-300 reduced hydroperoxides by 0.040 CARR U and IDeg-100 increased hydroperoxides by 0.034 CARR U, but the difference was not significant (P=.12).

Conclusions

The results of our study do not show a significant difference regarding glycemic variability between patients receiving either insulin IDeg-100 or IGlar-300, although IGlar-300 showed greater dispersion of data. No significant difference in oxidative stress was observed. In a larger study, doses of insulins should be higher to achieve significant impact on glycemic parameters and consequently on glycemic variability and oxidative stress.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04692415; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04692415

Effect of Drug Information Service on Clinical Outcome of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Padang, Indonesia

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been a health burden worldwide, including Indonesia. However, T2DM therapy needs a long and complex process, which patients often do not favor, thus making them does not take medications as instructed and negatively affecting clinical outcomes. This study aimed to understand the effect of Drug Information Service provision on the clinical outcome of T2DM patients. This quasi-experimental study was conducted using one group pre-post-test design. As the clinical outcome, the fasting blood glucose levels were measured before and after the intervention. A drug information service was provided through direct explanation to the patients. Sociodemographic data were analyzed descriptively. The difference in fasting blood glucose before and after the intervention was assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Forty patients participated in this study. Most participants are female (N=34; 85%) and receive two-drugs combination therapy of metformin and sulfonylureas (N=32; 77.5%). Although there is a decrease in mean fasting blood glucose level after intervention (174.92±59.561 vs. 184.20±49.768), there is no significant difference between fasting blood glucose levels pre-intervention and post-intervention (p>0.05). It is concluded that despite the noticeable decline of blood glucose level after drug information service, its effect on blood glucose control is not significant.

Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Efficacy of Using Blood Glucose Meters Featuring Color-Coded Indicators in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: An Observational Hospital-Based Study

Introduction Because of the difficulties in interpreting the level of blood glucose using the traditional numeric glucometers, the blood glucose meters featuring color-coded range indicators (CRI) offered a simple way to understand and interpret blood glucose readings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess glucose monitoring satisfaction (GMS) and clinical efficacy of blood glucose meters featuring color-coded in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) in Saudi Arabia. Methods T1DM patients who switched to color-coded Medisafe Fit Smile glucometer were included in this study. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, glycemic parameters were collected. A trained interviewer collected the GMS survey at baseline and 12 weeks. At the end of the study, patient-reported satisfaction with the Medisafe Fit Smile color-coded features (MSCF) survey was collected.  Results This study included 62 T1DM patients with a mean age of 17.8 (±3.1), and the majority had three or more confirmed hypoglycemic episodes per month. Compared to baseline data, we showed a significant improvement in the mean hemoglobin A1C level (8.43 [±1.2] versus 8.36 [±1.1], p<0.001), with a significantly lower frequency of hypoglycemic episodes (2.74 [±1.1] versus 2.0 [±0.78], p<0.001) after 12 weeks of using glucometer featuring CRI. Most importantly, significant improvements in the GMS survey subdomains of openness (p<0.001), emotional burden (p<0.001), behavioral burden (p<0.001), but not trust (p=0.71) were detected at the end of the study with a significantly higher total GMS survey of 4.33 (±0.13) after using blood glucose meters featuring CRI compared to the lower score of 2.84 (±0.22) at baseline (p<0.001). Furthermore, patient satisfaction with the MSCF survey revealed evidence of satisfaction among the TIDM patients at the end of the study. Conclusion The current study confirmed that individuals with T1DM may benefit from blood glucose meters featuring CRI device exposure. Also, using a glucometer featuring CRI was associated with a high level of satisfaction with blood glucose measures and significant improvement in the glycemic parameters. However, definitely, further studies are needed to confirm whether the long-term use of the CRI-based blood glucose meters will produce improved results in the GMS survey.

Effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring in maintaining glycaemic control among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials and meta-analysis

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) vs self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in maintaining glycaemic control among people with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, trial registries and grey literature were searched from 9 June 2011 until 22 December 2020 for RCTs comparing CGM intervention against SMBG control among the non-pregnant individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus of all ages and both sexes on multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion with HbA1c levels, severe hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) as outcomes. Studies also included any individual or caregiver-led CGM systems. Studies involving GlucoWatch were excluded. Risk of bias was appraised with Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed using Review Manager software and R software, respectively. Heterogeneity was evaluated using χ2 and I2 statistics. Overall effects and certainty of evidence were evaluated using Z statistic and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) software.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies, involving 2188 individuals with type 1 diabetes, were identified. Most studies had low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of 21 studies involving 2149 individuals revealed that CGM significantly decreased HbA1c levels compared with SMBG (mean difference -2.46 mmol/mol [-0.23%] [95% CI -3.83, -1.08], Z = 3.50, p=0.0005), with larger effects experienced among higher baseline HbA1c >64 mmol/mol (>8%) individuals (mean difference -4.67 mmol/mol [-0.43%] [95% CI -6.04, -3.30], Z = 6.69, p<0.00001). However, CGM had no influence on the number of severe hypoglycaemia (p=0.13) and DKA events (p=0.88). Certainty of evidence was moderate.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

CGM is superior to SMBG in improving glycaemic control among individuals with type 1 diabetes in the community, especially in those with uncontrolled glycaemia. Individuals with type 1 diabetes with HbA1c >64 mmol/mol (>8%) are most likely to benefit from CGM. Current findings could not confer a concrete conclusion on the effectiveness of CGM on DKA outcome as DKA incidences were rare. Current evidence is also limited to outpatient settings. Future research should evaluate the accuracy of CGM and the effectiveness of CGM across different age groups and insulin regimens as these remain unclear in this paper.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

Registration no. CRD42020207042.

FUNDING

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Correlations between Diabetes Mellitus Self-Care Activities and Glycaemic Control in the Adult Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Although it is well known that lifestyle changes can affect plasma glucose levels, there is little formal evidence for the sustained effectiveness of exercise and diet in diabetes mellitus (DM) management. Self-care in DM refers to the real-life application of the knowledge that the patient gained during the education programmes. The goals are to bring about changes in the patient's behaviour, thus improving glycaemic control. We evaluated the influence of DM self-care activities (SCA) on glycaemic control in a total of 159 patients with DM. Plasma glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were used to monitor glycaemic control, while SCA were assessed using the standardised Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ). In our study, 53% of the patients had a HbA1c ≥ 7%. In univariate linear regression models, a statistically significant inverse association was observed between the HbA1c (the dependent variable) and both the DSMQ Dietary Control Score (R2 = 0.037, p = 0.0145) and the DSMQ Sum Score (R2 = 0.06, p = 0.0014). The mean absolute change in the HbA1c% associated with one standard deviation (SD) change in the DSMQ Sum Score, independent of the other significant variables retained in the compacted multivariate regression model, was -0.419% (confidence interval: 95%: from -0.18 to -0.65). Although the impact of the DSMQ Score was modest when compared to the other independent variables in the multivariate model, the findings emphasise the importance of maintaining optimal lifestyle changes to avoid hyperglycaemia and its complications. In conclusion, enhanced self-management of DM is associated with improved glucose control. In patients with chronic diseases such as DM, the role of streamlining SCA encompassing physical activity and proper dietary choices is imperative because of a significantly reduced access to healthcare globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Distinct associations of self-monitoring of blood glucose with glycemic control and hypoglycemia between groups of recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up type 2 diabetes: The Taiwan Diabetes Registry

BACKGROUND

We investigated the uses and frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with glycemic control and hypoglycemia in two groups of type 2 diabetes (T2D) (recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up) using real-world data in Taiwan (the Taiwan Diabetes Registry).

METHODS

Patients with T2D recently diagnosed within 6 months (n = 3297, mean age 54.4 ± 13.9 years) and T2D patients with long-term follow-up (n = 1201, mean age 65.5 ± 12.1 years, mean diabetes duration 14.3 ± 7.8 years) from the Taiwan Diabetes Registry were analysed. All patients were interviewed by certified diabetes educators. Information about SMBG and hypoglycemia was recorded. Demography, personal history, and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of SMBG with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% and hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

Mean HbA1c values were 8.4 ± 2.5 and 7.6 ± 1.4%, respectively, in the recently diagnosed and long-term follow-up T2D groups. The self-reported rates of hypoglycemic events within 3 months were 10.5% and 19.0%, respectively. SMBG was associated with higher odds of HbA1c <7% (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.44) in patients with recently diagnosed T2D, but with lower odds of HbA1c <7% in T2D patients with long-term follow-up (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44-0.82). In both study populations, SMBG was independently associated with hypoglycemia (OR 3.90 [95% CI 2.99-5.08] and OR 3.93 [95% CI 2.73-5.66], respectively). The aforementioned findings were consistent across the strata of SMBG frequency.

CONCLUSION

We reported different associations between SMBG and glycemic control in patients recently diagnosed with T2D and in T2D patients with long-term follow-up. SMBG was associated with higher detection of hypoglycemic episodes in both study populations.

Nocturnal Hypoglycaemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: Database Analysis of a Cohort Using Telemedicine Support for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose over a 10-Year-Long Period

Background and Objectives: In patients with diabetes mellitus, hypoglycaemic episodes, especially during night hours, carry a significant risk. Data about the occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia in real-world settings are of clinical importance. The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia among patients with diabetes using self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with telemedicine support. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analysed the central database of an internet-based supportive system between 2010 and 2020 when 8190 SMBG users uploaded nearly 10 million capillary blood glucose values. Nocturnal hypoglycaemia was defined as capillary blood glucose < 3.0 mmol/L measured between 00:00 and 05:59 h. Results: The database contained 914,146 nocturnal blood glucose values from 7298 users; 24,623 (2.7%) glucose values were below the hypoglycaemic threshold and 2363 patients (32.4%) had at least one hypoglycaemic glucose value. Nocturnal hypoglycaemia was more often found in patients with type 1 vs. type 2 diabetes (n = 1890 (80.0%) vs. n = 387 (16.4%), respectively). Hypoglycaemic blood glucose values were most frequently observed in the age group of 10.0–19.9 years (n = 481 (20.4%)). Patients with nocturnal hypoglycaemia were mostly on insulin treatment (1854 (78.5%) patients with 20,727 (84.1%) hypoglycaemic glucose values). Only 356 patients (15.1%) with nocturnal hypoglycaemia performed a retest within 120 min. Within a one-day-long (1440 min) timeframe, the elapsed median time until a retest, yielding a safe blood glucose value (>3.9 mml/L), was 273 min (interquartile range: 157–300 min). Conclusions: Nocturnal hypoglycaemia should be considered as a persisting challenge to antihyperglycaemic treatment in patients living with diabetes. Continuous efforts are needed to improve both antihyperglycaemic treatment and patient education for preventing nocturnal hypoglycaemia, and to act adequately if hypoglycaemic values are detected.

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Insulin Glargine Biosimilar Ezelin versus Originator Insulin Glargine in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

PURPOSE

To compare the immunogenicity and efficacy of insulin glargine biosimilar Ezelin (EZL) versus originator insulin glargine Lantus (LAN) as a reference basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a randomized, multicenter, open-label, 24-week study in insulin-naïve patients with T2D, with HbA1c of >7.0%. We randomly assigned 133 eligible patients to receive either EZL or LAN. Baseline characteristics, including insulin autoantibody (IAA), zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) antibody, HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (2hPPG), AST, ALT, BUN, eGFR, and oral antidiabetic drugs, were obtained before starting insulin treatment. After starting treatment, insulin dose was titrated to achieve FPG target along with oral antidiabetic drugs. Patients were given home glucometer and assisted to record plasma glucose measurement and adverse event (AE). Every month, patients came to the diabetes clinic and performed a regular physical examination and intensifying treatment if needed. Out of the 133 randomized patients, only 122 completed the study and can be examined for their IAA and ZnT8 after 6 months of treatment. The study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03352674.

RESULTS

There is a similar proportion of patients with changes of IAA from baseline: 1 out of 58 (1.7%) patients receiving EZL versus 1 out of 64 (1.6%) patients receiving LAN (p = 1.000). One patient in the EZL group (1.7%) versus none in the LAN group experienced a change of ZnT8 antibody from baseline. Similar glucose control in EZL versus LAN was determined by the change in HbA1c, FPG, and 2hPPG (-2.0%, -67.46 mg/dL, and -76.51 mg/dL in the EZL group versus -1.7%, -58.11 mg/dL, and -70.03 mg/dL in the LAN group). There were six events of documented hypoglycemia in the EZL group versus five events in the LAN group. No patients experienced diabetic ketoacidosis during the study.

CONCLUSION

Overall, insulin glargine biosimilar EZL and originator insulin glargine LAN have shown a similar immunogenicity profile, as well as efficacy in providing glucose control and safety findings in T2D populations.

Factors Associated with Adherence to Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Among Young People with Type 1 Diabetes in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) plays a crucial role in the maintenance of glycemic control in young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but most of them do not perform SMBG as recommended. Few studies comprehensively explored factors that correlate with adherence to SMBG among this population on the basis of a framework. Hence, the aims of this study were to describe adherence to SMBG among young people with T1DM in China and explore its associating factors according to the Self and Family Management (SFM) framework.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on young people with T1DM in Hunan Province of China from July to August 2020. Based on the SFM framework, self-reported questionnaires were organized for the collection of data on adherence to SMBG, socio-demographic and clinical factors, resources, health care system, and personal factors. Factors associated with adherence to SMBG were determined through multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 165 young people were invited, of which 122 (73.9%) completed the questionnaires. The mean age was 12.41 years (SD = 3.18), and the proportion of young people who adhered to SMBG was 53.3%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that children aged 8-12 years (OR = 0.188, P = 0.002), from two-parent families (OR = 0.232, P = 0.019), and with better personal factors (eg, with more information of SMBG, OR = 1.072, P = 0.020; lower diabetes-related worry, OR = 0.917, P = 0.031; higher level of pain during SMBG, OR = 1.852, P = 0.001), had better adherence to SMBG.

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of the young people with T1DM were not adherent to SMBG in China. Clinicians need to pay more attention to adolescents from single-parent families with regard to their adherence to SMBG. Providing management strategies of SMBG, including delivering SMBG-related information, decreasing diabetes-related worry, and relieving pain related to SMBG, may improve adherence.

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.

Glycemic Status Assessment by the Latest Glucose Monitoring Technologies

The advanced and performing technologies of glucose monitoring systems provide a large amount of glucose data that needs to be properly read and interpreted by the diabetology team in order to make therapeutic decisions as close as possible to the patient's metabolic needs. For this purpose, new parameters have been developed, to allow a more integrated reading and interpretation of data by clinical professionals. The new challenge for the diabetes community consists of promoting an integrated and homogeneous reading, as well as interpretation of glucose monitoring data also by the patient himself. The purpose of this review is to offer an overview of the glycemic status assessment, opened by the current data management provided by latest glucose monitoring technologies. Furthermore, the applicability and personalization of the different glycemic monitoring devices used in specific insulin-treated diabetes mellitus patient populations will be evaluated.

Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Efficacy of Novel Blood Glucose Meters Featuring Color Range Indicators in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study

Introduction Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) plays an important role in diabetes management. The Contour®Next One glucometer is a recent glucometer that delivers blood glucose results by an immediate color indicator to aware users when blood glucose is at a critical high or low. The main purpose of the study was to assess the impact of an application of a blood glucose meter (BGM) having a color range indicator on clinical characteristics and glucose monitoring satisfaction (GMS) among patients having type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A total of 85 (male 42 and female 43) patients with T2D were switched to a BGM having smartLIGHT™ target range indicator (blood glucose meters featuring color range indicator) using Contour®Next One glucometer. Demographic data, as well as glycemic control, were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. At the time of the baseline and 12 weeks of the study, a trained interviewer gave the GMS survey questionnaire to every patient in order to collect the glucose monitoring satisfaction. In addition to GMS, a patient's perceptions of smartLIGHT™ feature satisfaction survey responses were also collected from the patients at the end of the study (12 weeks). Results Compared to baseline, a significant improvement was observed in the subdomains of glucose monitoring satisfaction survey (GMSS) score on openness (p=0.0001), emotional burden (p=0.0001), behavioral burden (p=0.0001), and trust (p=0.0001) at the end of the study. Overall, the total GMS score at baseline was 2.61 ± 0.51, which improved up to 3.16 ± 0.63 (p=0.0001) during the period of 12 weeks. The patient satisfaction with smartLIGHT™ survey outcomes exposed evidence of satisfaction among the study population at the end of the study. There were statistically insignificant reductions observed in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p=0.063) and the frequency of hypoglycemia (p=0.057) at the end of the study. Conclusions The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the subdomains of GMSS - openness, emotional burden, behavioral burden, and trust - at 12 weeks than at the baseline, with the increased total GMSS score. Similarly, high satisfaction with the color-based smartLIGHT™ feature was also observed at the end of the study.

The impact of provision of self-monitoring of blood glucose supplies on self-care activities among patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective study

AIMS

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important self-care activity for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to achieve glycaemic control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of providing SMBG supplies on self-care among patients with uncontrolled T2DM.

METHODS

This was a six-month, prospective study conducted in two primary care institutions. Patients ≥21 years old with uncontrolled T2DM (HbA1c > 7.0%) and polypharmacy (≥5 chronic medications) were included. All participants were given a free blood glucometer, test strips, and lancets, and were invited to consult pharmacists to learn about SMBG. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire was administered at baseline and at six months.

RESULTS

A total of 167 patients were recruited and 150 (89.8%) completed the study. At six months, significant improvements from baseline were observed for overall self-care (+0.58, p = 0.008), glycemic control (-0.41%, p < 0.001) and all specific self-care activities. The mean change in the SMBG score in all the participants was found to have a strong positive correlation with the mean change in the overall self-care score (r_s = 0.580, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Provision of SMBG supplies was effective in improving self-care among patients with uncontrolled T2DM, including non-insulin-treated patients.

High level of clinical inertia in insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes across Central and South-Eastern Europe: insights from SITIP study

AIMS

Little is known regarding initiation of insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Central and South-Eastern European countries. Therefore, we conducted a survey to characterise the prescribing practices of specialist diabetes healthcare professionals in this region and assessed factors that influence clinical decision-making regarding insulin initiation in T2D.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey sampled 211 specialist diabetes healthcare prescribers from five Central and South-Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, and Slovenia). A structured questionnaire was developed which surveyed current clinical practices and influencing factors, barriers to insulin initiation, and combination therapy prescribing preferences.

RESULT

Only 9.4% (20 of out of 211 respondents) of healthcare professionals would initiate insulin therapy in T2D patients at the recommended HbA1c threshold of 7-7.9% [53-63 mmol/mol]. Large regional differences were evident in insulin initiation thresholds (≥ 9.0% [≥ 75 mmol/mol]: Bulgaria 80.8% vs. Slovenia 13.3%). Psychological distress was recorded as the major barrier to insulin initiation. Health insurance regulations were ranked more important than personal clinical experience and clinical guidelines in clinical decision-making. Information from peers was more influential than manufacturer information, clinical experience, and continuous medical education, respectively, for insulin initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite large regional variation, there is widespread delay of insulin initiation from specialist diabetes healthcare professionals in Central and South-Eastern Europe.

Tolerability and acceptability of real-time continuous glucose monitoring and its impact on diabetes management behaviours in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes - A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Emerging evidence suggests us of real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems (RT-CGM), can assist to improve glucose control in Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) treatment, however the impact of these devices on patients' stress levels and behaviour is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of RT-CGM on tolerance and acceptability of device wear, stress and diabetes management and motivation to change.

METHODS

Twenty adults (10 men, 10 women) with T2D (aged 60.6 ± 8.4 years, BMI 34.2 ± 4.7 kg/m²), were randomised to a low-carbohydrate lifestyle plan whilst wearing a RT-CGM or an 'offline-blinded' (Blinded-CGM) monitoring system continuously for 12 weeks. Outcomes were glycaemic control (HbA1c), weight (kg) perceived stress scale (PSS), CGM device intolerance, acceptability, motivation to change and diabetes management behaviour questionnaires.

RESULTS

Both groups experienced significant reductions in body weight (RT-CGM -7.4 ± 4.5 kg vs. Blinded-CGM -5.5 ± 4.0 kg) and HbA1c (-0.67 ± 0.82% vs. -0.68 ± 0.74%). There were no differences between groups for perceived stress (P = 0.47) or device intolerance at week 6 or 12 (both P > 0.30). However, there was evidence of greater acceptance of CGM in the RT-CGM group at week 12 (P = 0.03), improved blood glucose monitoring behaviour in the RT-CGM group at week 6 and week 12 (P ≤ 0.01), and a significant time x group interaction (P = 0.03) demonstrating improved diabetes self-management behaviours in RT-CGM.

CONCLUSION

This study provides preliminary evidence of improved behaviours that accompany RT-CGM in the context of diabetes management and glucose self-monitoring. RT-CGM may provide an alternative approach to glucose management in individuals with T2D without resulting in increased disease distress.

Assessment of Psychosocial Functioning of Mothers of Children with Diabetes Mellitus Compared to Mothers of Healthy Children

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease requiring changes in the behaviour of the entire family. The responsibility for implementing doctor's recommendations falls mainly upon the mother. The aim of this study is to assess the psychosocial functioning of mothers of children with DM compared to mothers of healthy children. The study involved 120 mothers: 60 with children with DM and 60 with healthy children. Data were collected using an original social-demographic questionnaire developed by the authors as well as Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), Schwarzer and Schultz's Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Zigmond and Snaith's Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The assessment scales were standardised and accredited by the Polish Psychological Association. The results suggest that DM in children has no effect on the psychosocial functioning of mothers regarding their self-esteem and sense of coherence. However, mothers of children with DM are well-prepared for living in a difficult situation. Social support offered to mothers of diabetic children helps them to maintain their psychosocial health.

Glucose-Responsive Microneedle Patches for Diabetes Treatment

Antidiabetic therapeutics, including insulin as well as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and its analogs, are essential for people with diabetes to regulate their blood glucose levels. Nevertheless, conventional treatments based on hypodermic administration is commonly associated with poor blood glucose control, a lack of patient compliance, and a high risk of hypoglycemia. Closed-loop drug delivery strategies, also known as self-regulated administration, which can intelligently govern the drug release kinetics in response to the fluctuation in blood glucose levels, show tremendous promise in diabetes therapy. In the meantime, the advances in the development and use of microneedle (MN)-array patches for transdermal drug delivery offer an alternative method to conventional hypodermic administration. Hence, glucose-responsive MN-array patches for the treatment of diabetes have attracted increasing attentions in recent years. This review summarizes recent advances in glucose-responsive MN-array patch systems. Their opportunities and challenges for clinical translation are also discussed.

Improvement of Metabolic Control and Diabetes Management in Insulin-Treated Patients Results in Substantial Cost Savings for the German Health System

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using the ColourSure™ Technology to visualize target range showed improvement of metabolic control and overall diabetes self-management in insulin-treated patients. This economic analysis aimed to identify cost savings for the German health system resulting from an HbA1c reduction due to the utilization of user-friendly glucose meters.

METHODS

Patient data from a recently published observational study on SMBG were used for risk evaluations using the UKPDS risk engine. These values were integrated in an economic analysis regarding costs of myocardial infarctions (MIs) related to diabetes for the German health system. Based on an earlier assessment these calculations were combined with a 10% reduction of severe hypoglycemic episodes. In the current study, 0% severe hypoglycemic episodes were observed.

RESULTS

An HbA1c reduction of 0.69% over 6 months was associated with a 3% decreased risk of MI in 10 years. In this model the decrease led to cost savings of €4.90 per patient-year. Considering 2.3 million insulin-treated patients in Germany, this 3% reduction of MI could result in annual savings of €11.27 million. Combining this with a 10% reduction in severe hypoglycemic events, the cost savings would increase to €30.61 per patient-year or €70.4 million for 2.3 million insulin-treated patients in Germany.

CONCLUSION

The improvement of metabolic control and diabetes self-management that was achieved with the ColourSure™ Technology has the potential to generate substantial cost savings for the German health system underlining the importance of user-friendly methods for SMBG.

Effectiveness and acceptability of continuous glucose monitoring for type 2 diabetes management: A narrative review

The present narrative review discusses the role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in glycemic and weight control, and lifestyle behavior adherence in adults with type 2 diabetes. A literature search from January 2001 to November 2017 was carried out (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Scopus). Eligible studies were trials evaluating the use of CGM with the aim of achieving glucose control or lifestyle-related treatment adherence over a period of ≥8 weeks in adults with type 2 diabetes compared with usual care or another comparison intervention, or observational trials reporting CGM user experience. A total of 5,542 participants were recruited into 11 studies (eight randomized controlled trials [n = 5,346] and three observational studies [n = 196]). The sample size ranged 6-4,678 participants, the mean age was 51.7-60.0 years and diabetes duration was 2.1-19.2 years, with high heterogeneity between studies. Overall, the available evidence showed, compared with traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, CGM promoted greater reductions in glycated hemoglobin, bodyweight and caloric intake; higher adherence rating to a personal eating plan; and increases in physical activity. High compliance to CGM wear-time and device calibration was reported (>90%). The addition of lifestyle and/or behavioral counseling to CGM appeared to further potentiate these improvements. Preliminary evidence suggests that CGM use promotes glycemic and weight control, and lifestyle behavior adherence in adults with type 2 diabetes. These benefits might be further enhanced with integration of diet, exercise, and glucose excursion education and counseling. However, specific attributes of effective interventions and the application of CGM information for promoting improved outcomes and healthier choices remain unclear.

In vitro antioxidant potential and inhibitory effect of hydro-ethanolic extract from African black velvet tamarind (Dialium indium) pulp on type 2 diabetes linked enzymes

The alarming rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) globally is bothersome and has drawn the search light of researchers on naturally endowed phytonutrients being an alternative in managing the menace. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate some antioxidant parameters embedded in the extract of Dialium indium (DI) fruit pulp and also, to elucidate its antidiabetic potentials through the inhibition of two key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes such as α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase. Hydro-ethanolic extract of DI fruit pulp was used for the antioxidants and enzyme inhibitory bioassays through various convectional antioxidant assay methods in vitro. In the results, total phenolic content of the extract had; 6.74 ±3.38 mg GAE.g-1, total flavonoid contents; 0.02 ±0.01 mg QE.g-1 and FRAP; 0.84  ±0.47 mg AAE.g-1 dried sample. Also, there was a marked significant (p <0.05) difference observed in the inhibition of α-amylase and intestinal α-glucosidase by the different concentrations of the extract used in concentration-dependent manner with their different EC50. The inhibition demonstrated against these two carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes possibly could be through the embedded antioxidant potentials of the fruit pulp and this if properly harnessed, it could be helpful in the management of type 2 diabetes.

The effectiveness of theory- and model-based lifestyle interventions on HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly around the world. A number of systematic reviews have provided evidence for the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on diabetic patients. The effectiveness of theory- and model-based education-lifestyle interventions for diabetic patients are unclear. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and quantify the impact of theory-based lifestyle interventions on type 2 diabetes.

STUDY DESIGN

A literature search of authentic electronic resources including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane collaboration was performed to identify published papers between January 2002 and July 2016.

METHODS

The PICOs (participants, intervention, comparison, and outcomes) elements were used for the selection of studies to meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Mean differences and standard deviations of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c [mmol/mol]) level in baseline and follow-up measures of studies in intervention and control groups were considered for data synthesis. A random-effects model was used for estimating pooled effect sizes. To investigate the source of heterogeneity, predefined subgroup analyses were performed using trial duration, baseline HbA1c (mmol/mol) level, and the age of participants. Meta-regression was performed to examine the contribution of trial duration, baseline HbA1c (mmol/mol) level, the age of participants, and mean differences of HbA1c (mmol/mol) level. The significant level was considered P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies with 2384 participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled main outcomes by random-effects model showed significant improvements in HbA1c (mmol/mol) -5.35% (95% confidence interval = -6.3, -4.40; P < 0.001) with the evidence of heterogeneity across studies.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that theory- and model-based lifestyle interventions have positive effects on HbA1c (mmol/mol) indices in patients with type 2 diabetes. Health education theories have been applied as a useful tool for lifestyle change among people with type 2 diabetes.

An international survey on hypoglycemia among insulin-treated type I and type II diabetes patients: Turkey cohort of the non-interventional IO HAT study

BACKGROUND

Limited real-world data are currently available on hypoglycemia in diabetes patients. The International Operations Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool (IO HAT) study was designed to estimate hypoglycemia in insulin-treated type I (T1DM) and type II (T2DM) diabetes mellitus patients from 9 countries. The data from Turkey cohort are presented here.

METHODS

A non-interventional study to determine the hypoglycemia incidence, retrospectively and prospectively, in Turkish T1DM and T2DM patients using a 2-part self-assessment questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, 2348 patients were enrolled in the Turkey cohort (T1DM = 306 patients, T2DM = 2042 patients). In T1DM patients, 96.8% patients reported hypoglycemic events (Incidence rate [IR]: 68.6 events per patient-year [ppy]), prospectively, while 74.0% patients reported hypoglycemic events (IR: 51.7 events ppy), retrospectively. In T2DM patients, 95.9% patients (IR: 28.3 events ppy) reported hypoglycemic events, prospectively, while 53.6% patients (IR: 23.0 events ppy) reported hypoglycemic events, retrospectively. Nearly all patients reported hypoglycemia during the prospective period.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a first patient-reported dataset on hypoglycemia in Turkish, insulin-treated diabetes patients. A high incidence of patient-reported hypoglycemia confirms that hypoglycemia remains under-estimated. Hypoglycemia increased healthcare utilization impacting patients' quality of life. Hypoglycemia remains a common side effect with insulin-treatment and strategies to optimize therapy and reduce hypoglycemia occurrence in diabetes patients are required.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02306681 (Date of registration: 12 Nov 2014; retrospectively registered).

Improvement of Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus under Insulin Treatment by Reimbursement for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose

BACKGROUND

In Korea, the costs associated with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) under insulin treatment have been reimbursed since November 2015. We investigated whether this new reimbursement program for SMBG has improved the glycemic control in the beneficiaries of this policy.

METHODS

Among all adult T2DM patients with ≥3 months of reimbursement (n=854), subjects without any changes in anti-hyperglycemic agents during the study period were selected. The improvement of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was defined as an absolute reduction in HbA1c ≥0.6% or an HbA1c level at follow-up <7%.

RESULTS

HbA1c levels significantly decreased from 8.5%±1.3% to 8.2%±1.2% during the follow-up (P<0.001) in all the study subjects (n=409). Among them, 35.5% (n=145) showed a significant improvement in HbA1c. Subjects covered under the Medical Aid system showed a higher prevalence of improvement in HbA1c than those with medical insurance (52.2% vs. 33.3%, respectively, P=0.012). In the improvement group, the baseline HbA1c (P<0.001), fasting C-peptide (P=0.016), and daily dose of insulin/body weight (P=0.024) showed significant negative correlations with the degree of HbA1c change. Multivariate analysis showed that subjects in the Medical Aid system were about 2.5-fold more likely to improve in HbA1c compared to those with medical insurance (odds ratio, 2.459; 95% confidence interval, 1.138 to 5.314; P=0.022).

CONCLUSION

The reimbursement for SMBG resulted in a significant improvement in HbA1c in T2DM subjects using insulin, which was more prominent in subjects with poor glucose control at baseline or covered under the Medical Aid system.

Health Care Professionals' Clinical Perspectives on Glycemic Control and Satisfaction With a New Blood Glucose Meter With a Color Range Indicator: Online Evaluation in India, Russia, China, and the United States

BACKGROUND

We previously demonstrated in patients with diabetes that displaying blood glucose results in association with color improved their ability to interpret glucose results.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) in specific countries about the value of color on a new glucose meter and to determine if HCP perspectives among countries differ on the value of this approach in clinical practice.

METHODS

A total of 180 HCPs, including 105 endocrinologists, 34 primary care physicians, 25 diabetes educators, and 16 pharmacists, were recruited from India (n=50), Russia (n=50), China (n=50), and the United States (n=30). These HCPs experienced the OneTouch Select Plus Simple glucose meter online from their own office computer using interactive demonstrations (webpages, meter simulator, and video clips). After providing demographic and current clinical practice insights, HCPs responded to questions about the utility of the color-enhanced glucose meter.

RESULTS

Mean age and years in their current professional role for the 180 HCPs was 41.3 (SD 8.1) and 13.3 (SD 6.8) years for endocrinologists, 41.3 (SD 8.3) and 14.1 (SD 6.8) years for primary care physicians, 37.5 (SD 8.7) and 12.7 (SD 6.8) years for diabetes educators, and 35.9 (SD 5.3) and 9.5 (SD 5.2) years for pharmacists. In all, 88% (44/50) of Russian and 83% (25/30) of American HCPs said their patients find it easy to recognize low, in-range, or high blood glucose results compared to 56% (28/50) of HCPs in China and 42% (21/50) in India. Regardless of country, HCPs had less confidence that their patients act on blood glucose results with 52% (26/50) in Russia, 63% (19/30) in the United States, 60% (30/50) in China, and 40% (20/50) in India responding positively. During the interactive online meter experience, HCPs from all countries responded positively to questions about a meter with color features. After reflecting on the value of this meter, most HCPs strongly agreed or agreed their patients would be more inclined to act on results using a meter with color features (Russia: 92%, 46/50; United States: 70%, 21/30; China: 98%, 49/50; India: 94%, 47/50). They also said that color was particularly useful for patients with lower numeracy or education who may struggle with interpreting results (Russia: 98%, 49/50; United States: 77%, 23/30; China: 100%, 50/50; India: 82%, 41/50).

CONCLUSIONS

This multicountry online study provides evidence that HCPs had high overall satisfaction with the OneTouch Select Plus glucose meter, which uses color-coded information to assist patients with interpreting blood glucose results. This may be especially helpful in patient populations with low numeracy or literacy and limited access to health care and direct interaction with HCPs.

Demonstration of disinfection procedure for the development of accurate blood glucose meters in accordance with ISO 15197:2013

Despite measures to reduce disease transmission, a risk can occur when blood glucose meters (BGMs) are used on multiple individuals or by caregivers assisting a patient. The laboratory and in-clinic performance of a BGM system before and after disinfection should be demonstrated to guarantee accurate readings and reliable control of blood glucose (BG) for patients. In this study, an effective disinfection procedure, conducting wiping 10 times to assure a one minute contact time of the disinfectant on contaminated surface, was first demonstrated using test samples of the meter housing materials, including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC), in accordance with ISO 15197:2013. After bench studies comprising 10,000 disinfection cycles, the elemental compositions of the disinfected ABS, PMMA, and PC samples were almost the same as in the original samples, as indicated by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. Subsequently, the validated disinfection procedure was then directly applied to disinfect 5 commercial BGM systems composed of ABS, PMMA, or PC to observe the effect of the validated disinfection procedure on meter accuracy. The results of HBsAg values after treatment with HBV sera and disinfectant wipes for each material were less than the LoD of each material of 0.020 IU/mL. Before and after the multiple disinfection cycles, 900 of 900 samples (100%) were within the system accuracy requirements of ISO 15197:2013. All of the systems showed high performance before and after the series of disinfection cycles and met the ISO 15197:2013 requirements. In addition, our results demonstrated multiple cleaning and disinfection cycles that represented normal use over the lifetime of a meter of 3-5 years. Our validated cleaning and disinfection procedure can be directly applied to other registered disinfectants for cleaning commercial BGM products in the future.

Glucose Self-monitoring in Non-Insulin-Treated Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care Settings: A Randomized Trial

IMPORTANCE

The value of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) levels in patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes has been debated.

OBJECTIVE

To compare 3 approaches of SMBG for effects on hemoglobin A1c levels and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in primary care practice.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Monitor Trial study was a pragmatic, open-label randomized trial conducted in 15 primary care practices in central North Carolina. Participants were randomized between January 2014 and July 2015. Eligible patients with type 2 non-insulin-treated diabetes were: older than 30 years, established with a primary care physician at a participating practice, had glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c) levels higher than 6.5% but lower than 9.5% within the 6 months preceding screening, as obtained from the electronic medical record, and willing to comply with the results of random assignment into a study group. Of the 1032 assessed for eligibility, 450 were randomized.

INTERVENTIONS

No SMBG, once-daily SMBG, and once-daily SMBG with enhanced patient feedback including automatic tailored messages delivered via the meter.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Coprimary outcomes included hemoglobin A1c levels and HRQOL at 52 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 450 patients were randomized and 418 (92.9%) completed the final visit. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin A1c levels across all 3 groups (P = .74; estimated adjusted mean hemoglobin A1c difference, SMBG with messaging vs no SMBG, -0.09%; 95% CI, -0.31% to 0.14%; SMBG vs no SMBG, -0.05%; 95% CI, -0.27% to 0.17%). There were also no significant differences found in HRQOL. There were no notable differences in key adverse events including hypoglycemia frequency, health care utilization, or insulin initiation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, we observed no clinically or statistically significant differences at 1 year in glycemic control or HRQOL between patients who performed SMBG compared with those who did not perform SMBG. The addition of this type of tailored feedback provided through messaging via a meter did not provide any advantage in glycemic control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02033499.

Accuracy and Precision of Measured Blood Sugar Values by Three Glucometers Compared to the Standard Technique

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has magnified, globally. Being cost effective and user friendly, using the glucometer systems has become more widespread. However, despite their advantages, there are controversies regarding their accuracy and precision.

AIM

To determine the accuracy and precision of the common glucometers of Bionime, Accu-check, and Beurer compared with the laboratory technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 257 patients of a general internal unit of Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah were recruited. The blood sample of the subjects was transferred to the laboratory, then, two samples of capillary blood were tested by the three glucometers. The data was entered into a checklist, then entered to SPSS-16.0 software, and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

In this study, there was a positive correlation between the three blood glucose measurement methods with the standard approach, significantly, which indicates acceptable accuracy. However, this correlation was higher in the Beurer Glucometer (r=0.976, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in repeated measurements of blood glucose in the glucometers of Beurer (t=0.96, p=0.92), and Bionime (t=0.50, p=0.61) by paired t-test, but this test was significant for Accu-chek system (t=2.7, p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

With respect to the acceptable accuracy and precision of Beurer and Bionime glucometers, it is suggested to use these methods for diabetic patients at homes as well as in the hospital units.

Accuracy and Precision of Measured Blood Sugar Values by Three Glucometers Compared to the Standard Technique

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has magnified, globally. Being cost effective and user friendly, using the glucometer systems has become more widespread. However, despite their advantages, there are controversies regarding their accuracy and precision.

AIM

To determine the accuracy and precision of the common glucometers of Bionime, Accu-check, and Beurer compared with the laboratory technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 257 patients of a general internal unit of Imam Reza hospital of Kermanshah were recruited. The blood sample of the subjects was transferred to the laboratory, then, two samples of capillary blood were tested by the three glucometers. The data was entered into a checklist, then entered to SPSS-16.0 software, and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

In this study, there was a positive correlation between the three blood glucose measurement methods with the standard approach, significantly, which indicates acceptable accuracy. However, this correlation was higher in the Beurer Glucometer (r=0.976, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in repeated measurements of blood glucose in the glucometers of Beurer (t=0.96, p=0.92), and Bionime (t=0.50, p=0.61) by paired t-test, but this test was significant for Accu-chek system (t=2.7, p=0.006).

CONCLUSION

With respect to the acceptable accuracy and precision of Beurer and Bionime glucometers, it is suggested to use these methods for diabetic patients at homes as well as in the hospital units.

Systematic literature review of use of blood glucose monitoring in phase III clinical studies of insulin analogs

BACKGROUND

Safe and effective insulin therapy for diabetes mellitus requires initial dose titration and regular adjustments based on blood glucose (BG) monitoring. Our objective was to explore the use of BG measurement in phase-III clinical studies of insulin analogs. These studies provide safety and efficacy information for regulatory authorities and are the basis for insulin analog regulatory approval.

METHODS

A systematic review of phase-III studies of rapid-acting insulin analogs (insulin lispro, insulin aspart and insulin glulisine) and pre-mixed insulin analogs (biphasic insulin aspart and insulin lispro mix) was conducted. Studies were identified using manufacturers' databases. Search for reports was performed in Medline and registry of clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov). The European Medicines Agency was contacted to provide Clinical Study Reports.

RESULTS

Forty-five studies were included. Regular BG measurements were reported in 100 % of the studies and were performed by either self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) alone in 84 %, laboratory alone in 7 %, and both SMBG and laboratory in 9 % of studies. In total, 93 % of the studies reported SMBG. Most studies (91 %) reported insulin therapy adjustments based on BG measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that BG monitoring and specifically SMBG are co-dependent technologies with insulin analogs. BG measurement is used in most phase-III registration studies for establishing safe and efficacious insulin administration and is recommended in the insulin labels. The indispensable role of SMBG in treatment of insulin-dependent patients should receive attention from health care payers to assess and reimburse SMBG along with insulin to avoid adverse events from inappropriate insulin administration and associated costs.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY 2016 OUTPATIENT GLUCOSE MONITORING CONSENSUS STATEMENT

This document represents the official position of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology. Where there were no randomized controlled trials or specific U.S. FDA labeling for issues in clinical practice, the participating clinical experts utilized their judgment and experience. Every effort was made to achieve consensus among the committee members. Position statements are meant to provide guidance, but they are not to be considered prescriptive for any individual patient and cannot replace the judgment of a clinician.

Once Daily Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Improves Glycemic Control in Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (OHA)-Treated Diabetes: SMBG-OHA Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare glycemic control between SMBG-continued and -discontinued subjects with type 2 diabetes in the SMBG-OHA study.

METHOD

Of the 96 subjects from the SMBG-OHA study, 59 were recruited for the 24-week, comparison follow-up study. The study outcomes were the differences in change in HbA1c levels at 24 weeks between the 2 groups, and change in SMBG frequency in SMBG-continued subjects.

RESULTS

Although health insurance does not cover the cost of SMBG, 22.0% of subjects continued SMBG of their own will after the SMBG-OHA study was completed. HbA1c levels were maintained from 6.81 ± 0.55% to 6.64 ± 0.53% in SMBG-continued subjects. Conversely, HbA1c levels were increased from 7.18 ± 0.63% to 7.48 ± 0.84% in SMBG-discontinued subjects. HbA1c levels were significantly different by 0.83 ± 0.25% (95% CI: -1.33 to -0.36). The difference in change in HbA1c between the groups was -0.46% (95% CI: -0.78 to -0.15). SMBG frequency was decreased from 2.02 ± 1.06 to 1.53 ± 0.86 times a day.

CONCLUSIONS

HbA1c levels were maintained in SMBG-continued subjects but increased in SMBG-discontinued subjects. The study implied that almost once daily SMBG is helpful to maintain glycemic control in non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.