Frequency of return visits to the emergency department in patients discharged following hypoglycemia episodes

Update on the management of diabetes in long-term care facilities

The number of patients with diabetes is increasing among older adults in the USA, and it is expected to reach 26.7 million by 2050. In parallel, the percentage of older patients with diabetes in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) will also rise. Currently, the majority of LTCF residents are older adults and one-third of them have diabetes. Management of diabetes in LTCF is challenging due to multiple comorbidities and altered nutrition. Few randomized clinical trials have been conducted to determine optimal treatment for diabetes management in older adults in LTCF. The geriatric populations are at risk of hypoglycemia since the majority are treated with insulin and have different levels of functionality and nutritional needs. Effective approaches to avoid hypoglycemia should be implemented in these settings to improve outcome and reduce the economic burden. Newer medication classes might carry less risk of developing hypoglycemia along with the appropriate use of technology, such as the use of continuous glucose monitoring. Practical clinical guidelines for diabetes management including recommendations for prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia are needed to appropriately implement resources in the transition of care plans in this vulnerable population.

The burden of diabetic emergencies on the resuscitation area of a district-level public hospital in Cape Town

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes and its complications continue to cause a daunting and growing concern on resource-limited environments. There is a paucity of data relating to the care of diabetic emergencies in the emergency centres of entry-level hospitals in Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of diabetic emergencies presenting to the emergency centre of an urban district-level hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

The Khayelitsha Hospital Emergency Centre database was retrospectively analysed for patients presenting with a diabetic emergency within a 24-week randomly selected period. The database was supplemented by a retrospective chart review to include additional variables for participants with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), uncomplicated hyperglycaemia, severe hypoglycaemia and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS). Summary statistics are presented of all variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of all diabetic emergencies was 8.1% (197/2424) (DKA n = 96, 48.7%; uncomplicated hyperglycaemia n = 45, 22.8%; severe hypoglycaemia n = 44, 22.3%; HHS n = 12, 6%). The median age was 48 years, with those presenting with DKA being substantially younger (36 years). A likely precipitant was identified in 175 (88%) patients; infection was the most common precipitant (n = 79, 40.1%). Acute kidney injury occurred in 80 (40.6%) cases. The median length of stay in the resuscitation area was 13 h (IQR 7.2-24) and 101 (51.3%) participants represented with a diabetic- related emergency within six months of the study period. The overall mortality rate was 5% (n = 10).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the high burden of diabetic emergencies on the provision of acute care at a district-level hospital. The high prevalence of diabetic emergencies (8%) consisted of DKA (48.7%), uncomplicated hyperglycaemia (22.8%), severe hypoglycaemia (22.3%), and HHS (6%). The high infection rate (40%) and the high percentage of patients returning with a diabetic emergency (51%) could be indicative of the need for improved community-based diabetic programmes.

Real-World Improvements in Hypoglycemia in an Insulin-Dependent Cohort With Diabetes Mellitus Pre/Post Tandem Basal-Iq Technology Remote Software Update

OBJECTIVE

Software updatable insulin pumps, such as the t:slim X2 pump from Tandem Diabetes Care, enable access to new technology as soon as it is commercialized. The remote software update process allows for minimal interruption in therapy compared to purchasing a new pump; however, little quantitative data exist on the software update process or on pre/post therapeutic outcomes. We examined real-world usage and impact of a remote software updatable predictive low-glucose suspend (PLGS) technology designed to reduce hypoglycemic events in people with insulin-dependent diabetes.

METHODS

Approximately 15,000 U.S. Tandem pump users remotely updated their t:slim X2 software to Basal-IQ PLGS technology since its commercial release. We performed a retrospective analysis of users who uploaded at least 21 days of pre/post PLGS update usage data to the Tandem t:connect web application between August 28, 2018, and October 21, 2019 (N = 6,170). Insulin delivery and sensor-glucose values were analyzed per recent international consensus and American Diabetes Association guidelines. Software update performance was also assessed.

RESULTS

Median software update time was 5.36 minutes. Overall glycemic outcomes for pre and post software update showed a decrease in sensor time <70 mg/dL from 2.14 to 1.18% (-1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.97, -1.05; P<.001), with overall sensor time 70 to 180 mg/dL increasing from 57.8 to 58.5% (0.64; 95% CI, 0.04, 1.24; P<.001). These improvements were sustained at 3, 6, and 9 months after the update.

CONCLUSION

Introduction of a software updatable PLGS algorithm for the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump resulted in sustained reductions of hypoglycemia.

ABBREVIATIONS

ADA = American Diabetes Association; CGM = continuous glucose monitoring; CI = confidence interval; PLGS = predictive low-glucose suspend; SG = sensor glucose; T1D = type 1 diabetes; T2D = type 2 diabetes; TIR = time-in-range.