Weight-based carbohydrate treatment of hypoglycaemia in people with Type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy: a randomized crossover clinical trial

Lactate supplementation after hypoglycemia alleviates cognitive dysfunction induced by recurrent non-severe hypoglycemia in diabetic mice

Recurrent non-severe hypoglycemia (RH) in diabetes is an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction. However, the mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying RH-induced diabetic cognitive impairment. We investigated the effects of RH on lactate metabolism and cognitive function in male C57BL/6 J diabetic mice. After RH, diabetic mice showed decreased brain lactate and adenosine triphosphate levels, decreased expression of lactate transporter proteins MCT1 and MCT4, increased neuroapoptosis, and decreased astrocyte glycolysis in vitro. This was accompanied by increased neuronal mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, decreased mitochondrial COX IV activity, impaired mitochondrial morphology and function, impaired synaptic morphology, and decreased expression of synaptic plasticity proteins. Intraperitoneal lactic acid injection improved lactate transport restored neuronal mitochondrial morphology and function, upregulated synaptic plasticity proteins brain-derived neurotrophic factor and early growth response 1, enhanced synaptic ultrastructure, and ultimately improved cognitive dysfunction following RH in diabetic mice. These findings provide insights into the prevention and treatment of cognitive dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus caused by RH.

Recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing children and adolescents with hypoglycemia

There has been continuous progress in diabetes management over the last few decades, not least due to the widespread dissemination of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery systems. These technological advances have radically changed the daily lives of people living with diabetes, improving the quality of life of both children and their families. Despite this, hypoglycemia remains the primary side-effect of insulin therapy. Based on a systematic review of the available scientific evidence, this paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for recognizing, risk stratifying, treating, and managing patients with hypoglycemia. The objective of these recommendations is to unify the behavior of pediatric diabetologists with respect to the timely recognition and prevention of hypoglycemic episodes and the correct treatment of hypoglycemia, especially in patients using CGM or advanced hybrid closed-loop systems. All authors have long experience in the specialty and are members of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology. The goal of treating hypoglycemia is to raise blood glucose above 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) and to prevent further decreases. Oral glucose at a dose of 0.3 g/kg (0.1 g/kg for children using "smart pumps" or hybrid closed loop systems in automated mode) is the preferred treatment for the conscious individual with blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L), although any form of carbohydrate (e.g., sucrose, which consists of glucose and fructose, or honey, sugary soft drinks, or fruit juice) containing glucose may be used. Using automatic insulin delivery systems, the oral glucose dose can be decreased to 0.1 g/kg. Practical flow charts are included to aid clinical decision-making. Although representing the official position of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED), these guidelines are applicable to the global audience and are especially pertinent in the era of CGM and other advanced technologies.

6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

A Nutritional Approach to Optimizing Pump Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Achieving optimal glucose control in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) continues to pose a significant challenge. While continuous insulin infusion systems have shown promise as an alternative to conventional insulin therapy, there remains a crucial need for greater awareness regarding the necessary adaptations for various special circumstances. Nutritional choices play an essential role in the efficacy of diabetes management and overall health status for patients with T1DM. Factors such as effective carbohydrate counting, assessment of the macronutrient composition of meals, and comprehending the concept of the glycemic index of foods are paramount in making informed pre-meal adjustments when utilizing insulin pumps. Furthermore, the ability to handle such situations as physical exercise, illness, pregnancy, and lactation by making appropriate adjustments in nutrition and pump settings should be cultivated within the patient-practitioner relationship. This review aims to provide healthcare practitioners with practical guidance on optimizing care for individuals living with T1DM. It includes recommendations on carbohydrate counting, managing mixed meals and the glycemic index, addressing exercise-related challenges, coping with illness, and managing nutritional needs during pregnancy and lactation. Additionally, considerations relating to closed-loop systems with regard to nutrition are addressed. By implementing these strategies, healthcare providers can better equip themselves to support individuals with T1DM in achieving improved diabetes management and enhanced quality of life.

Hybrid Closed Loop Overcomes the Impact of Missed or Suboptimal Meal Boluses on Glucose Control in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Compared to Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy

Background: It is unclear whether hybrid closed-loop (HCL) therapy attenuates the metabolic impact of missed or suboptimal meal insulin bolus compared with sensor-augmented pump (SAP) therapy in children with type 1 diabetes in free-living conditions. Methods: This is an ancillary study from a multicenter randomized controlled trial that compared 24/7 HCL with evening and night (E/N) HCL for 36 weeks in children between 6 and 12 years old. In the present study, the 60 children from the E/N arm underwent a SAP phase, an E/N HCL for 18 weeks, then a 24/7 phase for 18 weeks, extended for 36 more weeks. The last 28-30 days of each of the four phases were analyzed according to meal bolus management (cumulated 6817 days). The primary endpoint was the percentage of time that the sensor glucose was in the target range (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL) according to the number of missed boluses per day. Findings: TIR was 54% ± 10% with SAP, 63% ± 7% with E/N HCL, and steadily 67% ± 7% with 24/7 HCL. From the SAP phase to 72 weeks of HCL, the percentage of days with at least one missed meal bolus increased from 12% to 22%. Estimated marginal (EM) mean TIR when no bolus was missed was 54% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 53-56) in SAP and it was 13% higher (95% CI 11-15) in the 24/7 HCL phase. EM mean TIR with 1 and ≥2 missed boluses/day was 49.5% (95% CI 46-52) and 45% (95% CI 39-51) in SAP, and it was 15% (95% CI 14-16) and 17% higher (95% CI 6-28), respectively, in the 24/7 HCL phase (P < 0.05 for all comparisons vs. SAP). Interpretation: HCL persistently improves glycemic control compared with SAP, even in case of meal bolus omission. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03739099).

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Optimal Carbohydrate Dose for Treatment of Nonsevere Hypoglycemia in Insulin-Treated Patients With Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Nonsevere hypoglycemia in people with diabetes is usually treated with rapid-acting carbohydrate, of which glucose is the most suitable form. A quantity of 15 g is recommended and repeated after 15 min if hypoglycemia persists. This recommendation has not changed for several years despite the introduction of continuous glucose monitoring, newer and more flexible insulin regimens and improved insulin delivery. The present review has examined published studies that have explored how effectively defined amounts of carbohydrate treat nonsevere hypoglycemia in adults with insulin-treated diabetes. For most nonsevere episodes of hypoglycemia, the optimal treatment is 15 to 20 g of oral glucose. However, this dose may not be appropriate with many current insulins and insulin pump therapy, where doses of glucose may have to be individualized, based on body weight or type of insulin delivery system. Current guidelines on hypoglycemia treatment for newer glucose-lowering therapies may require re-evaluation.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan-2022 Update

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this clinical practice guideline is to provide updated and new evidence-based recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes mellitus to clinicians, diabetes-care teams, other health care professionals and stakeholders, and individuals with diabetes and their caregivers.

METHODS

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology selected a task force of medical experts and staff who updated and assessed clinical questions and recommendations from the prior 2015 version of this guideline and conducted literature searches for relevant scientific papers published from January 1, 2015, through May 15, 2022. Selected studies from results of literature searches composed the evidence base to update 2015 recommendations as well as to develop new recommendations based on review of clinical evidence, current practice, expertise, and consensus, according to established American Association of Clinical Endocrinology protocol for guideline development.

RESULTS

This guideline includes 170 updated and new evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes. Recommendations are divided into four sections: (1) screening, diagnosis, glycemic targets, and glycemic monitoring; (2) comorbidities and complications, including obesity and management with lifestyle, nutrition, and bariatric surgery, hypertension, dyslipidemia, retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease; (3) management of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes with antihyperglycemic pharmacotherapy and glycemic targets, type 1 diabetes with insulin therapy, hypoglycemia, hospitalized persons, and women with diabetes in pregnancy; (4) education and new topics regarding diabetes and infertility, nutritional supplements, secondary diabetes, social determinants of health, and virtual care, as well as updated recommendations on cancer risk, nonpharmacologic components of pediatric care plans, depression, education and team approach, occupational risk, role of sleep medicine, and vaccinations in persons with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to assist with person-centered, team-based clinical decision-making to improve the care of persons with diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Hypoglycemia Protocol to Treat Severe Hypoglycemia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the efficacy of the facility's Hypoglycemia Protocol when treating severe hypoglycemia (defined as blood glucose < 50 mg/dL).

DESCRIPTION

The diabetes clinical nurse specialists conducted a retrospective chart review of diabetic inpatients with severe hypoglycemia who were treated per the Hypoglycemia Protocol from October 1, 2017, through April 30, 2019. The primary outcome was achievement of euglycemia (defined as blood glucose ≥ 80 mg/dL) 15 to 30 minutes post treatment with either oral carbohydrates or intravenous dextrose.

OUTCOME

Two hundred twenty-two patients received treatment with oral carbohydrates versus 120 patients who received intravenous dextrose. Fifty patients receiving oral carbohydrates versus 106 patients receiving intravenous dextrose achieved euglycemia after 1 treatment. Compared with treatment with intravenous dextrose, the odds ratio of the rise in blood glucose to 80 mg/dL or greater within 15 to 30 minutes post treatment for a patient given oral carbohydrate was decreased by 97.2%.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous dextrose was more efficacious than oral carbohydrate treatment in patients with diabetes experiencing severe hypoglycemia. In response, the Hypoglycemia Protocol was revised to increase oral carbohydrate treatment for severe hypoglycemia and to expedite escalation from oral to intravenous treatment.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Lower versus standard sucrose dose for treating hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in therapy with predictive low glucose suspend (PLGS) augmented insulin pumps: A randomized crossover trial in Santiago, Chile

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Recommended hypoglycemia treatment in adults with T1D consists of 15 g of rapid absorption carbohydrates. We aimed to evaluate the response to fewer carbohydrates for treating hypoglycemia in patients with T1D on insulin pumps with predictive suspension technology (PLGS).

METHODS

T1D patients on insulin pumps with PLGS were randomized to receive 10 or 15 g of sucrose per hypoglycemia for two weeks (S10 and S15 groups, respectively) when capillary blood glucose (BG) was <70 mg/dL, with crossover after two weeks. Evolution of capillary BG, active insulin, and suspension time were assessed.

RESULTS

59 hypoglycemic episodes were analyzed, 33 in S10 and 26 in S15. Baseline BG in S10 was 54.3 ± 7.7 mg/dL versus 56.9 ± 8.8 in S15 (p = 0,239). Active insulin, present in 85% of the episodes, and PLGS suspension time were similar between groups. BG at 15 min was 77 mg/dL in S10 and 95 mg/dL in S15 (p = 0.0007). In S10, 21% of the episodes required to repeat the treatment after 15 min compared with none on S15, with a RR of 0,79 (95% CI 0.66, 0.940, p = 0,014) for successfully treating the episode. Sensor glucose was significantly different from BG at the moment of the hypoglycemia and control 15 min after treatment. No severe hypoglycemia and no rebound hyperglycemia occurred in neither group.

CONCLUSIONS

A hypoglycemia treatment protocol with a lower dose of sucrose might be insufficient despite PLGS technology. Our data suggest that standard doses of sucrose should still be recommended.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Glucose management for exercise using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) systems in type 1 diabetes: position statement of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) endorsed by JDRF and supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA)

Physical exercise is an important component in the management of type 1 diabetes across the lifespan. Yet, acute exercise increases the risk of dysglycaemia, and the direction of glycaemic excursions depends, to some extent, on the intensity and duration of the type of exercise. Understandably, fear of hypoglycaemia is one of the strongest barriers to incorporating exercise into daily life. Risk of hypoglycaemia during and after exercise can be lowered when insulin-dose adjustments are made and/or additional carbohydrates are consumed. Glycaemic management during exercise has been made easier with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems; however, because of the complexity of CGM and isCGM systems, both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare professionals may struggle with the interpretation of given information to maximise the technological potential for effective use around exercise (i.e. before, during and after). This position statement highlights the recent advancements in CGM and isCGM technology, with a focus on the evidence base for their efficacy to sense glucose around exercise and adaptations in the use of these emerging tools, and updates the guidance for exercise in adults, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Graphical abstract.

Glucose management for exercise using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) systems in type 1 diabetes: position statement of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) endorsed by JDRF and supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA)

Physical exercise is an important component in the management of type 1 diabetes across the lifespan. Yet, acute exercise increases the risk of dysglycaemia, and the direction of glycaemic excursions depends, to some extent, on the intensity and duration of the type of exercise. Understandably, fear of hypoglycaemia is one of the strongest barriers to incorporating exercise into daily life. Risk of hypoglycaemia during and after exercise can be lowered when insulin-dose adjustments are made and/or additional carbohydrates are consumed. Glycaemic management during exercise has been made easier with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems; however, because of the complexity of CGM and isCGM systems, both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare professionals may struggle with the interpretation of given information to maximise the technological potential for effective use around exercise (ie, before, during and after). This position statement highlights the recent advancements in CGM and isCGM technology, with a focus on the evidence base for their efficacy to sense glucose around exercise and adaptations in the use of these emerging tools, and updates the guidance for exercise in adults, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Comparison of the effectiveness of simple carbohydrates on hypoglycemic episodes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized study in a diabetes camp

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia is the most common and severe complication of insulin treatment during the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Despite its importance, there is a lack of data about the efficacy and superiority of the carbohydrate sources used in hypoglycemia management in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of honey, fruit juice, and sugar cubes as simple carbohydrates used in the primary treatment of hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with T1DM, who attended a diabetes summer camp.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was performed in a 5-days-long diabetes summer camp. Three different types of simple carbohydrates; sugar cubes, honey, or fruit juice were randomly given for the treatment of hypoglycemia and the recovery results in the three groups were compared.

RESULTS

About 32 patients (53.1% male, mean age 12.9 ± 1.9 years) were included and 158 mild hypoglycemic episodes were observed. Sugar cubes, honey, and fruit juice were given in 46 (29.1%), 60 (37.9%), and 52 (33%) events, respectively. We found that honey and fruit juice had similar efficiency in recovering hypoglycemia in 15 minutes with a rate of 95% and 98%, respectively. However, sugar cubes had a significantly lower impact on treatment of hypoglycemia than the others, with a recovery rate of 84.7% at 15 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed, for the first time, that honey and fruit juice were more effective in treating hypoglycemia than sugar cubes, and can be preferred in treating hypoglycemic events in children and adolescents with T1DM.

Glucagon for hypoglycaemia treatment in type 1 diabetes

To achieve strict glycaemic control and avoid chronic diabetes complications, individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are recommended to follow an intensive insulin regimen. However, the risk and fear of hypoglycaemia often prevent individuals from achieving the treatment goals. Apart from early insulin suspension in insulin pump users, carbohydrate ingestion is the only option for preventing and treating non-severe hypoglycaemic events. These rescue treatments may give extra calories and cause overweight. As an alternative, the use of low-dose glucagon to counter hypoglycaemia has been proposed as a tool to raise glucose concentrations without adding extra calories. Previously, the commercially available glucagon formulations required reconstitution from powder to a solution before being injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly-making it practical only for treating severe hypoglycaemia. Several companies have developed more stable formulations that do not require the time-consuming reconstitution process before use. As well as treating severe hypoglycaemia, non-severe and impending hypoglycaemia can also be treated with lower doses of glucagon. Once available, low-dose glucagon can be either delivered manually, as an injection, or automatically, by an infusion pump. This review focuses on the role and perspectives of using glucagon to treat and prevent hypoglycaemia in T1D.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2020

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.