Glycemic Control and Hypoglycemia in Patients Treated with Insulin Pump Therapy: An Observational Study

Risk factors and prediction of hypoglycaemia using the Hypo-RESOLVE cohort: a secondary analysis of pooled data from insulin clinical trials

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of the Hypoglycaemia REdefining SOLutions for better liVES (Hypo-RESOLVE) project is to use a dataset of pooled clinical trials across pharmaceutical and device companies in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to examine factors associated with incident hypoglycaemia events and to quantify the prediction of these events.

METHODS

Data from 90 trials with 46,254 participants were pooled. Analyses were done for type 1 and type 2 diabetes separately. Poisson mixed models, adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration and trial identifier were fitted to assess the association of clinical variables with hypoglycaemia event counts. Tree-based gradient-boosting algorithms (XGBoost) were fitted using training data and their predictive performance in terms of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) evaluated on test data. Baseline models including age, sex and diabetes duration were compared with models that further included a score of hypoglycaemia in the first 6 weeks from study entry, and full models that included further clinical variables. The relative predictive importance of each covariate was assessed using XGBoost's importance procedure. Prediction across the entire trial duration for each trial (mean of 34.8 weeks for type 1 diabetes and 25.3 weeks for type 2 diabetes) was assessed.

RESULTS

For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, variables associated with more frequent hypoglycaemia included female sex, white ethnicity, longer diabetes duration, treatment with human as opposed to analogue-only insulin, higher glucose variability, higher score for hypoglycaemia across the 6 week baseline period, lower BP, lower lipid levels and treatment with psychoactive drugs. Prediction of any hypoglycaemia event of any severity was greater than prediction of hypoglycaemia requiring assistance (level 3 hypoglycaemia), for which events were sparser. For prediction of level 1 or worse hypoglycaemia during the whole follow-up period, the AUC was 0.835 (95% CI 0.826, 0.844) in type 1 diabetes and 0.840 (95% CI 0.831, 0.848) in type 2 diabetes. For level 3 hypoglycaemia, the AUC was lower at 0.689 (95% CI 0.667, 0.712) for type 1 diabetes and 0.705 (95% CI 0.662, 0.748) for type 2 diabetes. Compared with the baseline models, almost all the improvement in prediction could be captured by the individual's hypoglycaemia history, glucose variability and blood glucose over a 6 week baseline period.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Although hypoglycaemia rates show large variation according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and treatment history, looking at a 6 week period of hypoglycaemia events and glucose measurements predicts future hypoglycaemia risk.

Use of continuous glucose monitors in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review

AIMS

The use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) has been shown to have positive impact on diabetes management for people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and gestational diabetes (GDM) in high-income countries. However, as useful as CGMs are, the experience in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited and has not been summarized.

METHODS

A scoping review of the scientific literature was conducted. Medline, Embase, Global Health and Scopus were used to seek original research conducted in LMICs. The search results were screened by two reviewers independently. We included studies assessing health outcomes following the use of CGMs at the individual level (e.g. glycaemic control or complications) and at the health system level (e.g. barriers, facilitators and cost-effectiveness) in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. Results were summarized narratively.

RESULTS

From 4772 records found in database search, 27 reports were included; most of them from China (n = 7), Colombia (n = 5) and India (n = 4). Thirteen reports studied T1DM, five T2DM, seven both T1DM and T2DM and two GDM. Seven reports presented results of experimental studies (five randomized trials and two quasi-experimental); two on cost-effective analysis and the remaining 18 were observational. Studies showed that CGMs improved surrogate glycaemic outcomes (HbA_1c reduction), hard endpoints (lower hospitalization rates and diabetes complications) and patient-oriented outcomes (quality of life). However, several caveats were identified: mostly observational studies, few participants in trials, short follow-up and focused on surrogate outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The scoping review identified that studies about CGMs in LMICs have several limitations. Stronger study designs, appropriate sample sizes and the inclusion of patient-important outcomes should be considered to inform the evidence about CGMs for the management of people with diabetes in LMICs.

Comparing the effectiveness of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion with multiple daily insulin injection for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus evaluated by retrospective continuous glucose monitoring: A real-world data analysis

Objective

Regarding the effects and practical application of insulin pumps on patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the real-world evidence is limited especially concerning the incidence of hypoglycemia. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy with multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy on glycemic metrics evaluated by retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in Chinese patients with T1DM.

Methods

In total, 362 T1DM Chinese patients from the outpatient department of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, who underwent intensive insulin therapy and used a retrospective CGM system were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Comprehensive analysis of clinical and biological features and retrospective CGM derived-metrics was performed on the 362 enrolled T1DM patients who underwent CSII (n = 61) or MDI (n = 301) therapy (defined as 4 or more insulin injections per day).

Results

Our findings demonstrated that patients who underwent CSII therapy, compared with those who received MDI therapy, had lower levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose; moreover, CSII therapy was associated with better glycemic outcomes in terms of increasing time in range (TIR), decreasing time above range (TAR), and achieving CGM-associated targets of TIR ≥70% and TAR <25%. However, patients who underwent CSII therapy did not experience decreasing time below range (TBR), achieving CGM-associated targets of TBR <4%, and reduction of the risk of hypoglycemia as evidenced by comparing TBR and low blood glucose index (LBGI) between the two treatment regimens. The parameters of glycemic variability, such as standard deviation of glucose (SD), mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE), and large amplitude glycemic excursion (LAGE) in T1DM patients who underwent CSII therapy outperformed.

Conclusion

Our results provided further evidence that CSII therapy is safe and effective for management of Chinese T1DM patients, which was confirmed by a lower HbA1c level and better CGM-derived metrics but no demonstration of improvment in the risk of hypoglycemia. To achieve more satisfactory glycemic outcomes through the utilization of CSII therapy for Chinese T1DM patients, a strong physician-patient relationship is essential.

The Closed-Loop System Improved the Control of a Pregnant Patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective

Closed-loop insulin systems represent a technological advance in diabetes management but have rarely been studied in pregnancy. We report a case of a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus who was previously a user of the Paradigm VEO pump and then migrated to Medtronic 670G. Research Design and Methods. We reviewed the case of a G1P0 patient with type 1 diabetes, treated with the Medtronic 670G system during pregnancy; a comparison with current literature was done.

Results

The patient achieved improved glycemic control as measured by time spent in different ranges as follows: <70 mg/dL, 8–4% and 70–180 mg/dL, 83–94%. Secondary outcomes included reduction of stress, anxiety, fear of hypoglycemia, and the psychological burden related to the disease. There were no obstetric or neonatal complications.

Conclusion

The Medtronic 670G closed-loop system was used safely in a pregnant woman; nevertheless, further research is needed to validate this system in this patient population.

Lost in Translation: A Disconnect Between the Science and Medicare Coverage Criteria for Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

Numerous studies have demonstrated the clinical value and safety of insulin pump therapy in type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes populations. However, the eligibility criteria for insulin pump coverage required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) discount conclusive evidence that supports insulin pump use in diabetes populations that are currently deemed ineligible. This article discusses the limitations and inconsistencies of the insulin pump eligibility criteria relative to current scientific evidence and proposes workable solutions to address this issue and improve the safety and care of all individuals with diabetes.

Carbohydrate-restricted diets and Type 1 diabetes mellitus: research considerations

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is managed via careful control of blood glucose, exogenous insulin, diet, exercise, and other physiologic factors. Interestingly, the dietary recommendations for T1DM have had very little systematic research. Many clinical observations, as well as emerging research studies, have noted that a carbohydrate-restricted diet can lead to normalization of blood glucoses with reduction in hypoglycemic reactions among motivated individuals.

RECENT FINDINGS

In this paper, we review observations of carbohydrate restriction and propose a series of studies to test two levels of dietary carbohydrate intake for the management of individuals affected by T1DM. We recommend that the studies start in otherwise healthy adults with hemoglobin A1c > 8%, and then progress to more complicated populations including children, those with secondary complications and/or good glycemic control. Larger, long-term studies would then address growth in children, and diabetic complications including cardiovascular outcomes.

SUMMARY

Due to the clinical observations of improvements using carbohydrate-restricted nutrition for T1DM, we recommend that these types of studies addressing the level of dietary carbohydrate be urgently conducted.

Diabetes mellitus effect on rates of perioperative complications after operative treatment of distal radius fractures

PURPOSE

This study focuses on distal radius fractures that require surgical treatment. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk of bone fracture despite normal areal bone mineral density. The aim of this study is to identify the impact of DM on perioperative complications for patients undergoing operative treatment of distal radius fracture.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected through the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. All patients who underwent operative treatments for distal radius fractures from 2007 through 2018 were identified. Data collected include demographic information, comorbidities, and complications occurring within 30 days of initial surgical intervention. The incidence of adverse events following surgery was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses where appropriate.

RESULTS

Patients with DM were found to have a low rate of complications postsurgical repair of distal radius fractures. Preoperative comorbidity analysis showed that the diabetic group had significantly higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure, steroid use, bleeding disorders, dyspnea, and poorer functional status. Diabetes was found to be an independent predictor for unplanned intubation, sepsis, and septic shock. Diabetes was not found to be an independent predictor of other postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Complications after surgical repair of distal radius fracture are low except when it comes to reintubation, sepsis, and septic shock. While the risks of independent complications remain relatively low, diabetes remains an important factor to consider when selecting surgical candidates and to ensure appropriate pre-operative risk assessment.

Association of Body Fat Percentage with Time in Range Generated by Continuous Glucose Monitoring during Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a crucial risk factor associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Excessive accumulation of body fat may affect the glycemia control in T2DM. This study investigated the relationship between body fat percentage and time in range (TIR) assessed by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during short-term continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in T2DM patients.

METHOD

A total of 85 T2DM patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. All participants underwent 72 h CGM period during short-term CSII therapy. TIR was defined as the percentage of time spent within the target glucose range of 3.9-10.0 mmol/L. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and overfat was defined as an amount of body fat of at least 25% of total body mass for men or at least 30% for women. Multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the independent association of body fat percentage with TIR after adjusting for confounding factors.

RESULTS

Compared with normal fat T2DM patients, individual with a higher body fat percentage exhibited lower levels of TIR (P = 0.004) and higher 72 h mean blood glucose (72 h MBG) (P = 0.001) during short-term CSII treatment. The prevalence of overfat assessed by body fat percentage decreased with the ascending TIR tertiles (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that body fat percentage was significantly associated with TIR independent of age, gender, diabetes duration, HbA1c, and BMI (P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Body fat percentage was significantly associated with TIR in T2DM during short-term CSII therapy. Reduction of body fat may be an important therapeutic target to improve glycemic control in high body fat T2DM patients, who may benefit less from intensive insulin treatment.