Uncovering undetected hypoglycemic events

Evidence of traditional Chinese medicine for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus: from molecular mechanisms to clinical efficacy

CONTEXT

The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased significantly in recent decades. Despite numerous studies and systematic reviews, there is a gap in comprehensive and up-to-date evaluations in this rapidly evolving field.

OBJECTIVE

This review provides a comprehensive and current overview of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in treating T2DM.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Data, CNKI, and Medline databases, with a search timeframe extending up to November 2023. The search strategy involved a combination of subject terms and free words in English, including 'Diabetes,' 'Traditional Chinese Medicine,' 'TCM,' 'Hypoglycemic Effect,' 'Clinical Trial,' and 'Randomized Controlled Trial.' The studies were rigorously screened by two investigators, with a third investigator reviewing and approving the final selection based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 108 relevant papers were systematically reviewed. The findings suggest that TCMs not only demonstrate clinical efficacy comparable to existing Western medications in managing hypoglycemia but also offer fewer adverse effects and a multitarget therapeutic approach. Five main biological mechanisms through which TCM treats diabetes were identified: improving glucose transport and utilization, improving glycogen metabolism, promoting GLP-1 release, protecting pancreatic islets from damage, and improving intestinal flora.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM has demonstrated significant protective effects against diabetes and presents a viable option for the prevention and treatment of T2DM. These findings support the further exploration and integration of TCM into broader diabetes management strategies.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Cardiovascular Disease: What Do Clinicians Need to Know?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are gaining importance due to their effects on cardiovascular parameters. This review discusses the findings of dedicated cardiovascular outcome trials of GLP-1RAs and summarizes their utility to help clinicians understand their role in cardiovascular disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular outcome trials have shown GLP-1RAs decrease the primary composite outcome of the first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with diabetes. Additionally, select GLP-1RAs have also shown improved cardiovascular outcomes in patients without diabetes who are either overweight (BMI ≥ 27), or obese (BMI ≥ 30). There have also been encouraging results in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. There is increasing evidence showing GLP-1RAs are beneficial across the cardiometabolic spectrum of disease. Implementation of these therapeutics into clinical practice is important to improve cardiovascular risk.

Evaluation of Glucose Metrics in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Switching to Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL: A Retrospective, Propensity-Score Matched Study

Objectives: To study real-world effect of switching to Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) on glucose metrics in people with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This retrospective secondary-use study compared 151 adults who switched to Gla-300 from first-generation long-acting insulins (Switchers) to 281 propensity-score matched controls (Non-switchers) who continued first-generation long-acting insulins. Primary endpoint was difference in time in range (TIR) evolution. A fictive "switching" date was assigned to Non-switchers to facilitate between-group comparisons. Results: In the period before switching, TIR decreased numerically for people in whom Gla-300 was eventually initiated (-0.05%/month [-0.16 to 0.07]), while it increased for matched controls (0.08%/month [0.02 to 0.015]; between-group difference P = 0.047). After Gla-300-initiation, Switchers had similar TIR increase compared to Non-switchers (P = 0.531). Switchers used higher basal dose than before switch (Δ0.012 U/[kg·d] [0.006 to 0.018]; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: In real-life, Gla-300 was typically initiated in people where TIR was decreasing, which was reversed after switch using slightly higher basal insulin dose. ClinicalTrials: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT05109520.

Role of the Adrenal Medulla in Hypoglycaemia-Associated Autonomic Failure-A Diabetic Perspective

Hypoglycaemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF) is characterised by an impairment in adrenal medullary and neurogenic symptom responses following episodes of recurrent hypoglycaemia. Here, we review the status quo of research related to the regulatory mechanisms of the adrenal medulla in its response to single and recurrent hypoglycaemia in both diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with particular focus given to catecholamine synthesis, enzymatic activity, and the impact of adrenal medullary peptides. Short-term post-transcriptional modifications, particularly phosphorylation at specific residues of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), play a key role in the regulation of catecholamine synthesis. While the effects of recurrent hypoglycaemia on catecholamine synthetic enzymes remain inconsistent, long-term changes in TH protein expression suggest species-specific responses. Adrenomedullary peptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, and proenkephalin exhibit altered gene and protein expression in response to hypoglycaemia, suggesting a potential role in the modulation of catecholamine secretion. Of note is NPY, since its antagonism has been shown to prevent reductions in TH protein expression. This review highlights the need for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms involved in the adrenal medullary response to hypoglycaemia. Despite advancements in our understanding of HAAF in non-diabetic rodents, a reliable diabetic rodent model of HAAF remains a challenge.

The Effect of Insulin Degludec Versus Insulin Glargine U100 on Glucose Metrics Recorded During Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People With Type 1 Diabetes and Recurrent Nocturnal Severe Hypoglycemia

AIM

Comparing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-recorded metrics during treatment with insulin degludec (IDeg) versus insulin glargine U100 (IGlar-100) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and recurrent nocturnal severe hypoglycemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a multicenter, two-year, randomized, crossover trial, including 149 adults with T1D and minimum one episode of nocturnal severe hypoglycemia within the last two years. Participants were randomized 1:1 to treatment with IDeg or IGlar-100 and given the option of six days of blinded CGM twice during each treatment. CGM traces were reviewed for the percentage of time-within-target glucose range (TIR), time-below-range (TBR), time-above-range (TAR), and coefficient of variation (CV).

RESULTS

Seventy-four participants were included in the analysis. Differences between treatments were greatest during the night (23:00-06:59). Treatment with IGlar-100 resulted in 54.0% vs 49.0% with IDeg TIR (70-180 mg/dL) (estimated treatment difference [ETD]: -4.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -9.1, -0.0, P = .049). TBR was lower with IDeg at level 1 (54-69 mg/dL) (ETD: -1.7% [95% CI: -2.9, -0.5], P < .05) and level 2 (<54 mg/dL) (ETD: -1.3% [95% CI: -2.1, -0.5], P = .001). TAR was higher with IDeg compared with IGlar-100 at level 1 (181-250 mg/dL) (ETD: 4.0% [95% CI: 0.8, 7.3], P < .05) and level 2 (> 250 mg/dL) (ETD: 4.0% [95% CI: 0.8, 7.2], P < .05). The mean CV was lower with IDeg than that with IGlar-100 (ETD: -3.4% [95% CI: -5.6, -1.2], P < .05).

CONCLUSION

For people with T1D suffering from recurrent nocturnal severe hypoglycemia, treatment with IDeg, compared with IGlar-100, results in a lower TBR and CV during the night at the expense of more TAR.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Recorded Hypoglycemia with Insulin Degludec or Insulin Glargine U100 in People with Type 1 Diabetes Prone to Nocturnal Severe Hypoglycemia

Background and Aims: Nocturnal hypoglycemia is mainly a consequence of inappropriate basal insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and may compromise optimal glycemic control. Insulin degludec is associated with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia in T1D. As nocturnal hypoglycemia is often asymptomatic, we applied continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to detect a more precise occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycemia in the HypoDeg trial, comparing insulin degludec with insulin glargine U100 in people with T1D and previous nocturnal severe hypoglycemia. Materials and Methods: In the HypoDeg trial, 149 people with T1D were included in an open-label randomized cross-over trial. Sixty-seven participants accepted optional participation in the predefined substudy of 4 × 6 days of blinded CGM requiring completion of at least one CGM period in each treatment arm. CGM data were reviewed for hypoglycemic events. Results: Treatment with insulin degludec resulted in a relative rate reduction (RRR) of 36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10%-54%; P < 0.05) in nocturnal CGM-recorded hypoglycemia (≤3.9 mmol/L), corresponding to an absolute rate reduction (ARR) of 0.85 events per person-week. In nocturnal CGM-recorded hypoglycemia (≤3.0 mmol/L), we found an RRR of 53% (95% CI: 36%-65%; P < 0.001), corresponding to an ARR of 0.75 events per person-week. At the lower detection limit of the CGM (≤2.2 mmol/L), treatment with insulin degludec resulted in a significant RRR of 58% (95% CI: 23%-77%; P = 0.005). The reductions were primarily due to significant RRRs in asymptomatic hypoglycemia. Conclusion: In people with T1D, prone to nocturnal severe hypoglycemia, insulin degludec compared with insulin glargine U100 significantly reduces nocturnal CGM-recorded hypoglycemia. www.clinicaltrials.gov (#NCT02192450).

Deep transfer learning and data augmentation improve glucose levels prediction in type 2 diabetes patients

Accurate prediction of blood glucose variations in type 2 diabetes (T2D) will facilitate better glycemic control and decrease the occurrence of hypoglycemic episodes as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with T2D, hence increasing the quality of life of patients. Owing to the complexity of the blood glucose dynamics, it is difficult to design accurate predictive models in every circumstance, i.e., hypo/normo/hyperglycemic events. We developed deep-learning methods to predict patient-specific blood glucose during various time horizons in the immediate future using patient-specific every 30-min long glucose measurements by the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to predict future glucose levels in 5 min to 1 h. In general, the major challenges to address are (1) the dataset of each patient is often too small to train a patient-specific deep-learning model, and (2) the dataset is usually highly imbalanced given that hypo- and hyperglycemic episodes are usually much less common than normoglycemia. We tackle these two challenges using transfer learning and data augmentation, respectively. We systematically examined three neural network architectures, different loss functions, four transfer-learning strategies, and four data augmentation techniques, including mixup and generative models. Taken together, utilizing these methodologies we achieved over 95% prediction accuracy and 90% sensitivity for a time period within the clinically useful 1 h prediction horizon that would allow a patient to react and correct either hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. We have also demonstrated that the same network architecture and transfer-learning methods perform well for the type 1 diabetes OhioT1DM public dataset.

Using Natural Language Processing to Measure and Improve Quality of Diabetes Care: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Real-world evidence research plays an increasingly important role in diabetes care. However, a large fraction of real-world data are "locked" in narrative format. Natural language processing (NLP) technology offers a solution for analysis of narrative electronic data.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies of NLP technology focused on diabetes. Articles published prior to June 2020 were included.

RESULTS

We included 38 studies in the analysis. The majority (24; 63.2%) described only development of NLP tools; the remainder used NLP tools to conduct clinical research. A large fraction (17; 44.7%) of studies focused on identification of patients with diabetes; the rest covered a broad range of subjects that included hypoglycemia, lifestyle counseling, diabetic kidney disease, insulin therapy and others. The mean F₁ score for all studies where it was available was 0.882. It tended to be lower (0.817) in studies of more linguistically complex concepts. Seven studies reported findings with potential implications for improving delivery of diabetes care.

CONCLUSION

Research in NLP technology to study diabetes is growing quickly, although challenges (e.g. in analysis of more linguistically complex concepts) remain. Its potential to deliver evidence on treatment and improving quality of diabetes care is demonstrated by a number of studies. Further growth in this area would be aided by deeper collaboration between developers and end-users of natural language processing tools as well as by broader sharing of the tools themselves and related resources.

Differences between patients with type 1 diabetes with optimal and suboptimal glycaemic control: A real-world study of more than 30 000 patients in a US electronic health record database

AIMS

To use electronic health record data from real-world clinical practice to assess demographics, clinical characteristics and disease burden of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective observational study of adults with T1D for ≥24 months at their first visit with a T1D diagnosis code ("index date") between July 2014 and June 2016 in the Optum Humedica database. Demographic characteristics, acute complications (severe hypoglycaemia [SH], diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA]), microvascular complications, cardiovascular (CV) events and health care resource utilization during the 12 months before the index date ("baseline period") were compared between patients with optimal versus suboptimal glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] <7.0% vs. ≥7.0% [53 mmol/mol]) at the closest measurement to the index date.

RESULTS

Of 31 430 adults with T1D, 79.9% had suboptimal glycaemic control (mean HbA1c 8.8% [73 mmol/mol]). These patients were more likely to be younger, African American, uninsured or on Medicaid, obese, smokers, have uncontrolled hypertension and have depression. Despite worse glycaemic control and increased CV risk factors of uncontrolled hypertension, obesity and smoking, rates of coronary heart disease and stroke were not higher in these patients. Patients with suboptimal glycaemic control also experienced more diabetes complications (including SH, DKA and microvascular disease) and utilized more emergency care, with more emergency department visits and inpatient stays.

CONCLUSION

This real-world study of >30 000 adults with T1D showed that individuals with suboptimal versus optimal glycaemic control differed significantly in terms of health care coverage, comorbidities, diabetes-related complications, health care utilization and CV risk factors. However, suboptimal control was not associated with increased risk of CV outcomes.

Comparison of the HAT study, the largest global hypoglycaemia study to date, with similar large real-world studies

AIMS

Optimal diabetes care requires clear understanding of the incidence of hypoglycaemia in real-world clinical practice. Current data on hypoglycaemia are generally limited to those reported from randomised controlled clinical trials. The Hypoglycaemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study, a non-interventional real-world study of hypoglycaemia, assessed hypoglycaemia in 27 585 individuals across 24 countries. The present study compared the incidence of hypoglycaemia from the HAT study with other similarly designed, large, real-world studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search of PubMed (1995-2017) for population-based studies of insulin-treated patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D, T2D), excluding clinical trials and reviews, identified comparable population-based studies reporting the incidence of hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

The 24 comparative studies, including more than 24 000 participants with T1D and more than 160 000 participants with T2D, varied in design, size, inclusion criteria, definitions of hypoglycaemia and method of recording hypoglycaemia. Reported rates (events per patient-year [PPY]) of hypoglycaemia were higher in patients with T1D than in those with T2D (overall T1D, 21.8-73.3 and T2D, 1.3-37.7; mild/non-severe T1D, 29.0-126.7 and T2D, 1.3-41.5; severe T1D, 0.7-5.8 and T2D, 0.0-2.5; nocturnal T1D, 2.6-11.3 and T2D, 0.38-9.7) and were similar to the ranges found in the HAT study.

CONCLUSIONS

The HAT data on hypoglycaemia incidence were comparable with those from other real-world studies and indicate a high incidence of hypoglycaemia among insulin-treated patients. Differences in rates among studies are mostly explained by differences in patient populations and study methodology. The goal of reducing hypoglycaemia should be a target for continued educational and evidence-based pharmacological interventions.

A Minimal Model Approach for Analyzing Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Type 2 Diabetes

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a technique that records blood glucose at a regular intervals. While CGM is more commonly used in type 1 diabetes, it is increasingly becoming attractive for treating type 2 diabetic patients. The time series obtained from a CGM provides a rich picture of the glycemic state of the subjects and may help have tighter control on blood sugar by revealing patterns in their physiological responses to food. However, despite its importance, the biophysical understanding of CGM is far from complete. CGM data series is complex not only because it depends on the composition of the food but also varies with individual physiology. All of these make a full modeling of CGM data a difficult task. Here we propose a simple model to explain CGM data in type 2 diabetes. The model combines a relatively simple glucose-insulin dynamics with a two-compartment food model. Using CGM data of a healthy and a diabetic individual we show that this model can capture liquid meals well. The model also allows us to estimate the parameters in a relatively straightforward manner. This opens up the possibility of personalizing the CGM data. The model also predicts insulin time series from the model, and the rate of appearance of glucose due to food. Our methodology thus paves the way for novel analyses of CGM which have not been possible before.

Hypoglycemia incidence and awareness among insulin-treated patients with diabetes: the HAT study in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia affects patient safety and glycemic control during insulin treatment of both type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The Hypoglycemia Assessment Tool study in Brazil aimed to determine the proportion of patients experiencing hypoglycemic events and to characterize patient awareness and fear about hypoglycemia, among insulin-treated T1DM or T2DM patients.

METHODS

This was a non-interventional, multicenter study, with a 6-month retrospective and a 4-week prospective evaluation of hypoglycemic events. Patients completed a questionnaire at baseline and at the end of the study, and also a patient diary. The answers 'occasionally' and 'never' to the question 'Do you have symptoms when you have a low sugar level?' denoted impaired hypoglycemia awareness. Fear was reported on a 10-point scale, from 'not afraid at all' to 'absolutely terrified'.

RESULTS

From 679 included patients, 321 with T1DM and 293 T2DM, median age of 33.0 and 62.0 years, 59% and 56% were female, and median diabetes duration was 15.0 and 15.0 years, respectively. Median time of insulin use was 14.0 and 6.0 years. During the prospective period, 91.7% T1DM and 61.8% T2DM patients had at least one hypoglycemic event. In the same period, 54.0% T1DM and 27.4% T2DM patients had nocturnal hypoglycemia, 20.6% T1DM and 10.6% T2DM patients had asymptomatic hypoglycemia, and severe events occurred in 20.0% and 10.3%, respectively. At baseline, 21.4% T1DM and 34.3% T2DM had hypoglycemia unawareness. The mean score of hypoglycemia fear was 5.9 ± 3.1 in T1DM and 5.4 ± 3.9 in T2DM. The most common attitude after hypoglycemic events were to increase calorie intake (60.3%) and blood glucose monitoring (58.0%) and to reduce or skip insulin doses (30.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Referred episodes of hypoglycemia were high, in both T1DM and T2DM insulin users. Patient attitudes after hypoglycemia, such as reduction in insulin and increase in calorie intake, can affect diabetes management. These findings may support clinicians in tailoring diabetes education and insulin treatment for patients with diabetes, in order to improve their glycemic control while reducing the risk of hypoglycemic events.

Hypoglycemia in Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is a common problem in patients with diabetes, and often limits those trying to achieve tight glucose control. Achieving optimal glucose control is necessary to prevent microvascular complications. Hypoglycemia can cause mild disturbances to daily life, but in severe cases can be fatal. Patient education of hypoglycemic medications, risk factors, contributing factors, and prevention strategies should be included in the care plan of patients at risk of developing hypoglycemia.

Real-world medication persistence and outcomes associated with basal insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist free-dose combination therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes in the US

Background

Free-dose combination treatment with basal insulin and short-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) reduces hyperglycemia via complementary targeting of fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels, however, in the real world, due to injection burden and clinical inertia, the full efficacy may not be able to translate into clinical and economic benefits.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate treatment persistence and associated outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with a GLP-1 RA in free-dose combination with basal insulin.

Methods

Claims data were extracted on US adults with T2D with ≥1 prescription claim for both a GLP-1 RA and a basal insulin from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2013, and continuous health plan coverage for 6 months prior to (baseline) and 12 months after the index date (follow-up period). Outcomes analyzed for patients stratified by treatment persistence included glycemic control, hypoglycemia, and health care costs and resource utilization. Multivariate analyses were used to examine factors associated with persistence or hypoglycemia.

Results

The analysis included 7,320 patients, of whom 16.9% were persistent with free-dose combination treatment. The median time to treatment discontinuation was 133 days. Compared with nonpersistent patients, persistent patients had greater glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1C) reductions (−0.80% vs −0.42%; P=0.032), were more likely to achieve A1C <7.0% (39% vs 22%; P<0.001), and were less likely to experience hypoglycemia (9.5% vs 6.8%; P=0.002). Persistent patients also had significantly fewer hospitalizations and shorter hospital stays. While prescription costs were significantly higher (all-cause: $14,691 vs $10,791; P<0.001; diabetes-related: $8,142 vs $5,124; P<0.001), total medical charges were significantly lower (all-cause: $28,405 vs $40,292; P=0.001; diabetes-related: $11,114 vs $15,203; P=0.003) for persistent patients compared with nonpersistent patients.

Conclusion

This retrospective claims study of US patients with T2D showed that, although persistence with concurrent GLP-1 RA and basal insulin treatment is low, improved treatment persistence is associated with greater A1C reductions and lower total medical charges.

Assessing occurrence of hypoglycemia and its severity from electronic health records of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Accurate measures of hypoglycemia within electronic health records (EHR) can facilitate clinical population management and research. We quantify the occurrence of serious and mild-to-moderate hypoglycemia in a large EHR database in the US, comparing estimates based only on structured data to those from structured data and natural language processing (NLP) of clinical notes.

METHODS

This cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes identified from January 2009 through March 2014. We compared estimates of occurrence of hypoglycemia derived from diagnostic codes to those recorded within clinical notes and classified via NLP. Measures of hypoglycemia from only structured data (ICD-9 Algorithm), only note mentions (NLP Algorithm), and either structured data or notes (Combined Algorithm) were compared with estimates of the period prevalence, incidence rate, and event rate of hypoglycemia, overall and by seriousness.

RESULTS

Of the 844,683 eligible patients, 119,695 had at least one recorded hypoglycemic event identified with ICD-9 or NLP. The period prevalence of hypoglycemia was 12.4%, 25.1%, and 32.2% for the ICD-9 Algorithm, NLP Algorithm, and Combined Algorithm, respectively. There were 6128 apparent non-serious events utilizing the ICD-9 Algorithm, which increased to 152,987 non-serious events within the Combined Algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

Ascertainment of events from clinical notes more than doubled the completeness of hypoglycemia capture overall relative to measures from structured data, and increased capture of non-serious events more than 20-fold. The structured data and clinical notes are complementary within the EHR, and both need to be considered in order to fully assess the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

Fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

This study explored the association between parental fear of hypoglycemia, anxiety, and subjective well-being in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A total of 120 mothers and 79 fathers participated. Mothers' and fathers' fear of hypoglycemia was significantly associated with anxiety and negative affect as well as with worse glycemic control in child. Paired-samples t-test showed that mothers were more involved in diabetes management and reported more fear and anxiety compared to fathers, but they did not differ in worries about hypoglycemia. The findings suggest screening for fear of hypoglycemia and subjective well-being in all parents regardless of whether their child experienced severe hypoglycemia.

Incidence and cost of hypoglycemic events requiring medical assistance in a hospital setting in Denmark

Aims: The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and hospital costs associated with hypoglycemic episodes (HEs) requiring hospital admission or emergency room (ER) visits in Denmark. Materials & methods: This study analyzed data from the National Patient Registry. Data on HE-related hospital admissions or ER visits occurring between 2008 and 2011 were collected and analyzed. Results: There were 1906 hospital admissions and 803 ER visits in 2008 compared with 1646 hospital admissions and 547 ER visits in 2011, corresponding to a decrease in incidence from 10.6 to 7.1. The estimated annual total hospital costs ranged from €3.0 million in 2008 to €2.3 million in 2011. Conclusion: HEs represent a major burden for the Danish healthcare system.

Economic Burden of Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from Korea

BACKGROUND

Hypoglycemia is a very serious complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and affects the economic burden of treatment. This study aims to create models of the cost of treating hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM based upon physician estimates of medical resource usage.

METHODS

Using a literature review and personal advice from endocrinologists and emergency physicians, we developed several models for managing patients with hypoglycemia. The final model was approved by the consulting experts. We also developed 3 unique surveys to allow endocrinologists, emergency room (ER) physicians, and primary care physicians to evaluate the resource usage of patients with hypoglycemia. Medical costs were calculated by multiplying the estimated medical resource usage by the corresponding health insurance medical care costs reported in 2014.

RESULTS

In total, 40 endocrinologists, 20 ER physicians, and 30 primary care physicians completed the survey. We identified 12 types of standard medical models for secondary or tertiary hospitals and 4 for primary care clinics based on the use of ER, general ward, or intensive care unit (ICU) and patients' status of consciousness and self-respiration. Estimated medical costs per person per hypoglycemic event ranged from $17.28 to $1,857.09 for secondary and tertiary hospitals. These costs were higher for patients who were unconscious and for those requiring ICU admission.

CONCLUSION

Hypoglycemia has a substantial impact on the medical costs and its prevention will result in economic benefits for T2DM patients and society.

Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes on Conventional Versus Intensive Insulin Therapy: Efficacy of Low-Calorie Dietary Intervention

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the results of a standard low-calorie dietary intervention (7.5 MJ/day) on body weight (BW) and the metabolic profile of obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on intensive insulin therapy (IIT: 4 insulin injections/day) versus conventional insulin therapy (CIT: 2/3 insulin injections/day).

METHODS

A total of 60 patients (n = 60, 23 males and 37 postmenopausal females) were recruited and categorized into two groups according to the scheme of insulin treatment. Thirty were on IIT (13 males and 17 females) and an equal number on CIT (10 males and 20 females). BW, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, and metabolic parameters were compared at 6 and 12 months after baseline.

RESULTS

Significant reductions were observed in the BW, BMI, HbA1c (p ≤ 0.001 for all) and cholesterol (p ≤ 0.05) at 6 months post-intervention. At 1 year, median BW reduction was 4.5 kg (3.3, 5.8) for patients on IIT and 4.8 kg (3.6, 7.0) for those on CIT. The 12-month dietary intervention increased prevalence of normoglycemia in the IIT group and reduced the prevalence of obesity prevalence among the CIT participants (all p < 0.001). CIT patients with BW reduction ≥5.0% demonstrated 11-fold greater chances of being normoglycemic (odds ratio 11.3, 95% CI 1.1-110.5). BW reduction ≥7.0% was associated with CIT, being overweight, and having normal HDLc, LDLc, and cholesterol levels. A reduction in BW between 5.0% and 6.9% was associated with IIT, normoglycemia, and obesity.

CONCLUSION

A 12-month 1800-kcal dietary intervention achieved significant BW and HbA1c reductions irrespectively of insulin regimen. CIT was associated with BW reduction greater than 8.0%, whereas IIT was associated with higher rates of normoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia Event Rates: A Comparison Between Real-World Data and Randomized Controlled Trial Populations in Insulin-Treated Diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of diabetes therapy, particularly insulin treatment. Hypoglycemia is associated with considerable clinical and economic burden, and may be under-reported. The aim of this study was to com pare the frequency of hypoglycemic events reported in real-world settings with those reported in clinical trials.

METHODS

We conducted a structured literature review in PubMed to identify hypoglycemic event rates in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from real-world data (RWD) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The search was restricted to English language, full-text publications from 2010 onwards, reporting on treatment of T1DM or T2DM with basal only, basal-bolus, or premix insulin.

RESULTS

The final dataset included 30 studies (11 RWD studies and 19 RCTs). Six studies (RWD, n = 2; RCT, n = 4) reported hypoglycemia event rates in people with T1DM. For all reported categories of hypoglycemia (severe, non-severe, and nocturnal), rates were consistently higher in RWD studies compared with RCTs. Twenty-five studies (RWD, n = 10; RCT, n = 15) reported hypoglycemia event rates in people with insulin-treated T2DM. For T2DM basal-oral therapy; the highest rates were observed in RWD studies, although there was an overlap with RCT rates. For basal-bolus therapy, there was considerable between-study variability but higher rates of severe and non-severe hypoglycemia were generally observed in RWD studies. For T2DM premix insulin, reported rates of hypoglycemia in RWD studies and RCTs were similar.

CONCLUSION

We found that higher rates of hypoglycemia are observed in real-world settings compared with clinical trial settings, although there is a large degree of overlap. Due to the inherent constraints of RCTs, they are likely to underestimate the burden of hypoglycemia in clinical practice. Further, high-quality RWD are needed to determine a more accurate incidence of hypoglycemia in clinical practice.

Risk of severe hypoglycemia in sulfonylurea-treated patients from diabetes centers in Germany/Austria: How big is the problem? Which patients are at risk?

BACKGROUND

We investigated the rate of severe hypoglycemic events and confounding factors in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea at specialized diabetes centers, documented in the German/Austrian DPV-Wiss database.

METHODS

Data from 29 485 sulfonylurea-treated patients were analyzed (median[IQR] age 70.8[62.2-77.8] years, diabetes duration 8.2[4.3-12.8] years). The primary objective was to estimate the event rate of severe hypoglycemia (requiring external help, causing unconsciousness/coma/convulsion and/or emergency hospitalization). Secondary objectives included exploration of confounding risk factors through group comparison and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Severe hypoglycemic events were reported in 826(2.8%) of all patients during their most recent year of sulfonylurea treatment. Of these, n = 531(1.8%) had coma, n = 501(1.7%) were hospitalized at least once. The adjusted event rate of severe hypoglycemia [95%CI] was 3.9[3.7-4.2] events/100 patient-years (coma: 1.9[1.8-2.1]; hospitalization: 1.6[1.5-1.8]). Adjusted event rates by diabetes treatment were 6.7 (sulfonylurea + insulin), 4.9 (sulfonylurea + insulin + other OAD), 3.1 (sulfonylurea + other OAD) and 3.8 (sulfonylurea only). Patients with ≥1 severe event were older (p < 0.001) and had longer diabetes duration (p = 0.020) than patients without severe events. Participation in educational diabetes-programs and indirect measures of insulin-resistance (increased BMI, plasma-triglycerides) were associated with fewer events (all p < 0.001). Impaired renal function was common (n = 3113 eGFR; ≤30 mL/min) and associated with an increased rate of severe events (≤30 mL/min: 7.7; 30-60 mL/min: 4.8; >60 mL/min: 3.9).

CONCLUSIONS

These real-life data showed a rate of severe hypoglycemia of 3.9/100 patient-years in sulfonylurea-treated patients from specialized diabetes centers. Higher risk was associated with known risk factors including lack of diabetes education, older age and decreased eGFR but also with lower BMI and lower triglyceride levels, suggesting that sulfonylurea treatment in those patients should be considered with caution.

Incidental Transient Cortical Blindness after Lung Resection

Transient vision loss after major surgical procedures is a rare clinical complication. The most common etiologies are cardiac, spinal, head, and neck surgeries. There has been no report on vision loss after lung resection. A 65-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with lung cancer. Resection was performed using right upper lobectomy with no complications. Cortical blindness developed 12 hours later in the postoperative period. Results from magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted investigations were normal. The neurologic examination was normal. The blood glucose level was 92 mg/dL and blood gas analysis showed a PO ₂ of 82 mm Hg. After 24 hours, the patient began to see and could count fingers, and his vision was fully restored within 72 hours after this point. Autonomic dysfunction due to impaired microvascular structures in diabetes mellitus may induce posterior circulation dysfunction, even when the hemodynamic state is normal in the perioperative period. The physician must keep in mind that vision loss may occur after lung resection due to autonomic dysfunction, especially in older patients with diabetes mellitus.

Treatment of sulfonylurea and insulin overdose

The most common toxicity associated with sulfonylureas and insulin is hypoglycaemia. The article reviews existing evidence to better guide hypoglycaemia management. Sulfonylureas and insulin have narrow therapeutic indices. Small doses can cause hypoglycaemia, which may be delayed and persistent. All children and adults with intentional overdoses need to be referred for medical assessment and treatment. Unintentional supratherapeutic ingestions can be initially managed at home but if symptomatic or if there is persistent hypoglycaemia require medical referral. Patients often require intensive care and prolonged observation periods. Blood glucose concentrations should be assessed frequently. Asymptomatic children with unintentional sulfonylurea ingestions should be observed for 12 h, except if this would lead to discharge at night when they should be kept until the morning. Prophylactic intravenous dextrose is not recommended. The goal of therapy is to restore and maintain euglycaemia for the duration of the drug's toxic effect. Enteral feeding is recommended in patients who are alert and able to tolerate oral intake. Once insulin or sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia has developed, it should be initially treated with an intravenous dextrose bolus. Following this the mainstay of therapy for insulin-induced hypoglycaemia is intravenous dextrose infusion to maintain the blood glucose concentration between 5.5 and 11 mmol l(-1) . After sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia is initially corrected with intravenous dextrose, the main treatment is octreotide which is administered to prevent insulin secretion and maintain euglycaemia. The observation period varies depending on drug, product formulation and dose. A general guideline is to observe for 12 h after discontinuation of intravenous dextrose and, if applicable, octreotide.

Concepts and clinical use of ultra-long basal insulin

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a public health issue, affecting around 382 million people worldwide. In order to achieve glycemic goals, insulin therapy is the frontline therapy for type 1 DM patients; for patients with type 2 DM, use of insulin therapy is an option as initial or add-on therapy for those not achieving glycemic control. Despite insulin therapy developments seen in the last decades, several barriers remain for insulin initiation and optimal maintenance in clinical practice. Fear of hypoglycemia, weight gain, pain associated with blood testing and injection-related pain are the most cited reasons for not starting insulin therapy. However, new generation of basal insulin formulations, with longer length of action, have shown the capability of providing adequate glycemic control with lower risk of hypoglycemia.

Cost and co-morbidities associated with hypoglycemic inpatients in Belgium

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Little is known about the economic burden of hypoglycemia in Belgium, or its related co-morbidities. This study aimed at estimating the cost and length of stay associated with hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations in diabetic patients in Belgium and the association between hypoglycemia and in-hospital all-cause mortality, incidence of traumatic fractures, depression, and cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction or unstable angina), using retrospective data from 2011.

METHODS

Patient data were retrieved from the IMS Hospital Disease Database, including longitudinal (per calendar year) information on diagnoses, procedures, and drugs prescribed in ∼20% of all Belgian hospital beds. The eligible population included all adult (<19 year) diabetic (both types) patients, further split between those with/without a history of hypoglycemia-related hospitalizations. Diabetes, hypoglycemia, and co-morbidities of interest were identified based on International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Version 9 (ICD-9) diagnosis codes. All costs were extrapolated to 2014 using progression in hospitalization costs since 2001.

RESULTS

A total of 43,410 diabetes-related hospitalizations were retrieved, corresponding to 30,710 distinct patients. The average hospitalization cost was €10,258 when hypoglycemia was documented (n = 2625), vs €7173 in other diabetic hospitalized patients (n = 40,785). When controlling for age and sex, a higher mortality risk (OR = 1.59; p-value <0.001), a higher incidence of traumatic fractures (OR = 1.25; p-value = 0.009), and a higher probability of depression-related hospitalizations (OR = 1.90; p-value <0.001) were observed in hypoglycemic patients. A similar risk of cardiovascular event was observed in both groups, but hypoglycemic patients were more at risk of experiencing multiple events.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalizations for hypoglycemia are expensive and associated with an increased risk of depression and traumatic fractures as well as increased in-hospital mortality. Interventions that can help reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, and consequently the burden on hospitals and society, without compromising glycemic control, will help to further improve diabetes management.

Incidence, characteristics and impact of hypoglycaemia in patients receiving intensified treatment for inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

With the intensification of antidiabetic treatment, there is an increasing risk of hypoglycaemia. We aimed to determine incidence, characteristics and outcomes.

METHODS

Prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study. The included 3810 patients with type 2 diabetes had their treatment intensified at baseline.

RESULTS

The incidence of hypoglycaemia was 11.4% per year with 4.2 ± 4.4 episodes per patient. Hypoglycaemia was more frequent in patients with high blood glucose variability. Predictors were heart failure (odds ratio: 1.66; 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.29) and insulin use (odds ratio: 4.03; 95% confidence interval: 3.05-5.33), with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors being associated with reduced risk (odds ratio: 0.69; 95% confidence interval: 0.53-0.89). Macrovascular events were more frequent among patients reporting severe episodes of hypoglycaemia (odds ratio: 3.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.32-8.73). Microvascular events were more frequent in patients with non-severe episodes (odds ratio: 1.92; 95% confidence interval: 1.49-2.49).

CONCLUSION

Case-by-case evaluation of patients as well as appropriate selection of antidiabetic pharmacotherapy and blood glucose treatment goals could maximize the benefits while reducing the risks of antidiabetic treatment.

The Impact of Hypoglycemia on the Cardiovascular System: Physiology and Pathophysiology

Intensive glycemic control may increase cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality due to hypoglycemia. The pathophysiology of glucose counter-regulation in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for over 15 years is characterized by impairment of the defense mechanisms against hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia causes pronounced physiological and pathophysiological effects on the CV system as consequences of autonomic system activation and counter regulatory hormones release. These effects provoke a series of hemodynamic changes that include an increase in heart rate and peripheral systolic blood pressure, a decrease in central blood pressure, reduced peripheral arterial resistance, and increased myocardial contractility and cardiac output. Cardiac electrophysiological changes including flattening or inversion of T waves, QT prolongation, and ST segment depression were observed in both insulin-induced and spontaneous hypoglycemia. Sympathoadrenal activation is the main cause of these changes through mechanisms that involve, but are not limited to, catecholamine-mediated hypokalemia. Hypoglycemia is also involved in platelet activation. There is growing concern about the long-term effects of hypoglycemia, especially as related to inflammation and atherogenesis.

Taking a Closer Look--Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Non-Critically Ill Hospitalized Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Under Basal-Bolus Insulin Therapy

BACKGROUND

Inpatient glucose management is based on four daily capillary blood glucose (BG) measurements. The aim was to test the capability of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for assessing the clinical impact and safety of basal-bolus insulin therapy in non-critically ill hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-four patients with T2DM (age, 68±10 years; glycosylated hemoglobin, 72±28 mmol/mol; body mass index, 31±7 kg/m(2)) were treated with basal-bolus insulin. CGM was performed with the iPro(®)2 system (Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) and calibrated retrospectively.

RESULTS

A remarkable consistency between CGM and BG measurements and therapy improvement was shown over the study period of 501 patient-days. The number of CGM and BG measurements (CGM/BG) in the range from 3.9-10 mmol/L increased from 67.7%/67.2% (on Day 1) to 77.5%/78.6% (on the last day) (P<0.04). The number of low glycemic episodes (3.3 to <3.9 mmol/L) during nighttime detected by CGM was 15-fold higher, and the number of episodes >13.9 mmol/L detected by CGM during night was 12.5-fold higher than the values from the BG measurements. Ninety-nine percent of data points were in the clinically accurate or acceptable Clarke Error Grid Zones A+B, and the relative numbers of correctly identified episodes of <3.9 and >13.9 mmol/L detected by CGM (sensitivity) were 47.3% and 81.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data exhibit a good agreement between overall CGM and BG measurements, but there were a high number of missed hypo- and hyperglycemic episodes with BG measurements, particularly during nighttime. Overall assessment of glycemic control using CGM is feasible, whereas the use of CGM for individualized therapy decisions needs further improvement.

Elevated oxygen consumption rate in response to acute low-glucose stress: Metformin restores rate to normal level

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of mortality among all age demographics in the United States, with the highest occurrence in populations aged 65 and older. Glucose levels, particularly hyperglycemia, are associated with the premature onset of age-related diseases including CVD. A major challenge in the treatment of elderly patients with chronically elevated blood glucose is the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. Molecular mechanisms of hypoglycemia remain unclear, but are associated with premature onset of age-related-diseases. Here we report a mitochondrial metabolic profile assessing short-term (up to six hours) and longer-term (12-24h) durations of low-glucose stress. We observed that the anti-diabetic biguanide and mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, metformin, can lower and restore the elevated oxygen consumption rate during shorter-term glucose stress to levels similar to that of cells cultured in normal glucose. This effect appears, in part, to involve activation of the 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).

Assessing the impact of non-severe hypoglycemic events and treatment in adults: development of the Treatment-Related Impact Measure-Non-severe Hypoglycemic Events (TRIM-HYPO)

PURPOSE

Non-severe hypoglycemic events (NSHEs) are commonly experienced by diabetes patients, particularly among insulin users, and can have serious impacts on daily functioning, emotional well-being, sleep, work productivity, and treatment adherence. Currently, no PRO measures are available to assess the impacts of non-severe hypoglycemia. To address this gap, the Treatment-Related Impact Measure-Non-severe Hypoglycemic Events (TRIM-HYPO) was developed. This paper describes the TRIM-HYPO development and validation.

METHODS

The creation of the TRIM-HYPO followed FDA's guideline for PRO development. Concept elicitation data were gathered from literature review, clinical expert interviews, and focus groups of patients with Type 1 or 2 diabetes in four countries. Based on the qualitative analysis, draft items were generated and cognitively debriefed. Psychometric validation included factor analysis, item response theory analysis, and assessment of psychometric characteristics for the TRIM-HYPO.

RESULTS

Eight clinical experts and 167 patients participated in concept elicitation. The validation study included 407 patients. Thirteen of the 46 items from the preliminary measure were dropped due to ceiling/floor effects and high correlations between conceptually similar items. Factor analysis confirmed five domains in the TRIM-HYPO: daily function, emotional well-being, diabetes management, sleep disruption, and work productivity. All scores were internally consistent (0.86-0.95) and reproducible with a test-retest range of 0.75-0.98. All but one a priori hypothesized associations for validity were confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings demonstrate that the final, 33-item TRIM-HYPO is reliable and valid and may be useful for assessing impacts related to NSHEs in research and clinical practice.

HARMONY 4: randomised clinical trial comparing once-weekly albiglutide and insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin with or without sulfonylurea

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of once-weekly albiglutide with once-daily insulin glargine (A21Gly,B31Arg,B32Arg human insulin) in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin with or without sulfonylurea.

METHODS

This was a randomised, open-label, multicentre (n = 222), parallel-group, non-inferiority out-patient clinical trial, with 779 patients enrolled in the study. The study was conducted in 222 centres located in four countries. Patients aged ≥18 years with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin (±sulfonylurea) for at least 3 months with a baseline HbA1c 7.0-10.0% (53.0-85.8 mmol/mol) were randomly assigned (2:1) via a computer-generated randomisation sequence with a voice response system to receive albiglutide (30 mg once a week, n = 504) or insulin glargine (10 U once a day, n = 241) added to current therapy. Participants and investigators were not masked to treatment assignment. Doses of each medication were adjusted on the basis of the glycaemic response. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in HbA1c at week 52.

RESULTS

In the albiglutide group, HbA1c declined from 8.28 ± 0.90% (67.0 ± 9.8 mmol/mol) (mean ± SD) at baseline to 7.62 ± 1.12% (59.8 ± 12.2 mmol/mol) at week 52. A similar reduction occurred in the insulin glargine group (8.36 ± 0.95% to 7.55 ± 1.04% [67.9 ± 10.4 to 59.0 ± 11.4 mmol/mol]). The model-adjusted treatment difference of 0.11% (95% CI -0.04%, 0.27%) (1.2 mmol/mol [95% CI -0.4, 3.0 mmol/mol]) indicated non-inferiority of albiglutide to insulin glargine based on the pre-specified non-inferiority margin of 0.3% (3.3 mmol/mol, p = 0.0086). Body weight increased in the insulin glargine group and decreased in the albiglutide group, with a mean treatment difference of -2.61 kg (95% CI -3.20, -2.02; p < 0.0001). Documented symptomatic hypoglycaemia occurred in a higher proportion of patients in the insulin glargine group than in the albiglutide group (27.4% vs 17.5%, p = 0.0377).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Albiglutide was non-inferior to insulin glargine at reducing HbA1c at week 52, with modest weight loss and less hypoglycaemia. Both drugs were well tolerated. Albiglutide may be considered an alternative to insulin glargine in this patient population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00838916 (completed)

FUNDING

This study was planned and conducted by GlaxoSmithKline.

Incidence of non-severe hypoglycaemia and intensity of treatment among veterans with type 2 diabetes in the U.S.A.: a prospective observational study

AIM

To quantify the incidence of non-severe hypoglycaemic events among veterans with Type 2 diabetes and its association with primary care provider prescribing behaviour.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study involving 30 primary care providers and patients enrolled with these primary care providers, identified from computerized pharmacy records. Two sampling frames were created consisting of (1) patients not treated with insulin and receiving sulfonylurea treatment (with or without other oral hypoglycaemic agents) and (2) patients treated with insulin (with or without sulfonylureas or other oral hypoglycaemic agents). Patients recorded the frequency, proximal cause of, and response to each hypoglycaemic event over a 12-week period and made three visits to a research coordinator over 24 weeks. Data were provided to the primary care provider before their next visit and charts were reviewed for medication changes.

RESULTS

A total of 265 patients were enrolled in study. During the 12 weeks of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose, patients recorded a mean (sd) of 6.9 (10.3) hypoglycaemic events. Duration of diabetes increased monotonically with increasing category of hypoglycaemic event (P < 0.001). Among insulin users, an increased frequency of hypoglycaemic events was associated with a decreased likelihood of dose intensification by primary care providers (relative risk 0.86 per event; P = 0.02) but no significant increase in tendency for dose reduction (relative risk 1.04 per event; P = 0.06). Increased frequency of hypoglycaemic events was associated with an increased likelihood of dose reduction (relative risk 1.12 per event; P = 0.03) in the sulfonylurea treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-severe hypoglycaemia is common among veterans with Type 2 diabetes receiving insulin or sulfonylureas and influences the prescribing behaviour of primary care providers.

Three-graded stratification of carbohydrate restriction by level of baseline hemoglobin A1c for type 2 diabetes patients with a moderate low-carbohydrate diet

Background

A moderate low-carbohydrate diet has been receiving attention in the dietary management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). A fundamental issue has still to be addressed; how much carbohydrate delta-reduction (Δcarbohydrate) from baseline would be necessary to achieve a certain decrease in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.

Objective

We investigated the effects of three-graded stratification of carbohydrate restriction by patient baseline HbA1c levels on glycemic control and effects of Δcarbohydrate on decreases in HbA1c levels (ΔHbA1c) in each group.

Research design and methods

We treated 122 outpatients with T2DM by three-graded carbohydrate restriction according to baseline HbA1c levels (≤ 7.4% for Group 1, 7.5%-8.9% for Group 2 and ≥ 9.0% for Group 3) and assessed their HbA1c levels, doses of anti-diabetic drugs and macronutrient intakes over 6 months.

Results

At baseline, the mean HbA1c level and carbohydrate intake were 6.9 ± 0.4% and 252 ± 59 g/day for Group 1 (n = 55), 8.1 ± 0.4% and 282 ± 85 g/day for Group 2 (n = 41) and 10.6 ± 1.4% and 309 ± 88 g/day for Group 3 (n = 26). Following three-graded carbohydrate restriction for 6 months significantly decreased mean carbohydrate intake (g/day) and HbA1c levels for all patients, from 274 ± 78 to 168 ± 52 g and from 8.1 ± 1.6 to 7.1 ± 0.9% (n = 122, P < 0.001 for both) and anti-diabetic drugs could be tapered. ΔHbA1c and Δcarbohydrate were -0.4 ± 0.4% and -74 ± 69 g/day for Group 1, -0.6 ± 0.9% and -117 ± 78 g/day for Group 2 and -3.1 ± 1.4% and -156 ± 74 g/day for Group 3. Linear regression analysis showed that the greater the carbohydrate intake, the greater the HbA1c levels at baseline (P = 0.001). Also, the greater the reduction in carbohydrate intake (g/day), the greater the decrease in HbA1c levels (P < 0.001), but ΔHbA1c was not significantly influenced by changes in other macronutrient intakes (g/day).

Conclusions

Three-graded stratification of carbohydrate restriction according to baseline HbA1c levels may provide T2DM patients with optimal objectives for carbohydrate restriction and prevent restriction from being unnecessarily strict.

Incidence, worry and discussion about dosing irregularities and self-treated hypoglycaemia amongst HCPs and patients with type 2 diabetes: results from the UK cohort of the Global Attitudes of Patient and Physicians (GAPP2) survey

AIMS

The Global Attitude of Patients and Physicians 2 (GAPP2) survey sought to address gaps in understanding about real-world basal insulin-taking behaviour and self-treated hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Global Attitude of Patients and Physicians 2 was an international, online, cross-sectional study of patients aged at least 40 years with type 2 diabetes taking analogue insulins, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Patients were recruited from general consumer online research panels, comprising a representative sample of the population to minimise bias. HCPs were recruited from online specialist research panels. The results of the UK cohort are presented here.

RESULTS

The UK cohort constituted 12% of the total GAPP2 population. In this cohort, 15-25% of patients reported that they had reduced, missed or mistimed at least one dose of insulin in the previous month. On the last occasion that patients had reduced a dose, 82% had done so intentionally - most frequently because of concerns about hypoglycaemia. HCP estimates of the numbers of patients with dosing irregularities were nearly fourfold higher than patient reports. More than one-third of HCPs believe their patients under-report the frequency of self-treated hypoglycaemia. Nevertheless, a proportion did not regularly discuss these concerns with their patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare professionals are in the best position to support patients in making appropriate insulin dose adjustments to help regularise blood glucose levels and reduce treatment-induced hypoglycaemic events. This can be achieved by initiating frequent discussions with all patients and providing education and training when appropriate.

Hypoglycaemia in a 94-year-old man without diabetes

Recognising a hypoglycaemic event in a person without a history of diabetes poses quite a challenge. A 94-year-old man without diabetes in an extended care facility (ECF) was found unconscious and non-responsive with a glucose level of 30 mg/dL. The patient required multiple resuscitations with glucagon and intravenous glucose before his blood glucose stabilised. Ultimately the accidental administration of a sulfonylurea was found to be responsible for the event. The patient fortunately recovered after 5 days of hospitalisation. Adults aged 65 years and older carry a significantly higher risk of serious adverse drug events (ADEs) requiring hospitalisation. Antidiabetic drugs cause nearly one-quarter of all hospitalisations from ADEs, with more than 99% due to unintentional overdose. To truly optimise patient care, providers must be cognizant of the risks associated with diabetes management to better monitor and prevent future occurrence of such taxing events.

Complementary Approaches to Improving Glucose Control-Insulin and Incretins: Patient Case Studies in Action

PURPOSE

The use of insulin and incretin-based therapies together has recently emerged as a new therapeutic option for patients with type 2 diabetes. This approach can be used across the continuum of diabetes and is supported by clinical trial evidence. To illustrate how these data may apply to clinical care, this supplement uses patient case studies to provide clinical context for diabetes educators. Relevant medical literature was searched and cited. Search terms included insulin, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, hypoglycemia, and weight gain.

CONCLUSION

Insulin remains the most potent glucose-lowering agent available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but has limitations, primarily of hypoglycemia and secondarily of weight gain. The addition of incretin-based therapies complements the glucose-lowering potential of basal insulin, without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia, potentially allowing for lower doses of insulin and without increasing weight gain (DPP-4 inhibitors) or possibly with weight loss (GLP-1 receptor agonists). Incretin-based therapies offer advantages over prandial insulin to address postprandial hyperglycemia.

Understanding the economic, daily functioning, and diabetes management burden of non-severe nocturnal hypoglycemic events in Canada: differences between type 1 and type 2

OBJECTIVE

To examine the daily functioning, diabetes management, and economic burden of non-severe nocturnal hypoglycemic events (NSNHEs) in Canada and differences in impacts by diabetes type.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A 20-min web-based survey, with items derived from the literature, expert and patient interviews, assessing the impact of NSNHEs, was administered to patients with self-reported diabetes aged ≥18 having an NSNHE in the past month.

RESULTS

Two thousand, two hundred and seventy-nine Canadian persons with diabetes were screened with 200 respondents meeting criteria and included in the analysis sample. Out of 87 working respondents, 15 reported on average 3.5 h of lost work (absenteeism). The reduction in work productivity (presenteeism) reported was comparable to the impact of arthritis. Other functional impacts included sleep and daily activities. Additionally, respondents' increased their usual blood sugar monitoring practice, on average, 4.2 (SD = 7.5) extra tests were conducted in the week following the event and reduced their insulin over the following 4.8 days. Increased healthcare utilization was also reported. Increased costs as a result of NSNHE for lost work productivity, increased diabetes management, and resource utilization was CAD 70.67 per person per year in this sample. Limitations of the study include the biases which are associated with a web-based survey and self-reported data.

CONCLUSIONS

NSNHEs have serious consequences for patients and diabetes management practices. Greater attention to treatments which reduce NSNHEs can have a major impact on improving functioning while reducing the economic burden of diabetes.

Understanding the economic burden of nonsevere nocturnal hypoglycemic events: impact on work productivity, disease management, and resource utilization

OBJECTIVE

Nonsevere hypoglycemic events are common and may occur in one-third of persons with diabetes as often as several times a week. This study's objective was to examine the economic burden of nonsevere nocturnal hypoglycemic events (NSNHEs).

METHODS

A 20-minute Web-based survey, with items derived from the literature, expert input, and patient interviews, assessing the impact of NSNHEs was administered in nine countries to 18 years and older patients with self-reported diabetes having an NSNHE in the past month.

RESULTS

A total of 20,212 persons were screened, with 2,108 respondents meeting criteria and included in the analysis sample. The cost of lost work productivity per NSNHE was estimated to be between $10.21 (Germany) and $28.13 (the United Kingdom), representing 3.3 to 7.5 hours of lost work time per event. A reduction in work productivity (presenteeism) was also reported. Compared with respondents' usual blood sugar monitoring practice, on average, 3.6 ± 6.6 extra tests were conducted in the week following the event at a cost of approximately $87.1 per year. Additional costs were also incurred for doctor visits as well as medical care required because of falls or injuries incurred during the NSNHE for an annual cost of $2,111.3 per person per year. When taking into consideration the multiple impacts of NSNHEs for the total sample and the frequency that these events occur, the resulting total annual economic burden was $288,000 or $127 per person per event.

CONCLUSIONS

NSNHEs have serious consequences for patients. Greater attention to treatments that reduce NSNHEs can have a major impact on reducing the economic burden of diabetes.

Increasing awareness of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral agents

Hypoglycaemia is the most common acute complication of type 2 diabetes and can limit therapeutic efforts to improve glycaemic control in order to protect against long-term complications. It is a potential side effect of the drugs used to treat diabetes, specifically exogenous insulin or insulin secretagogues. As many people are prescribed these agents, hypoglycaemia is frequent in clinical practice, although patients commonly do not inform their healthcare professional of the problems spontaneously. The impact of hypoglycaemia on the patient and to the healthcare system is significant through reduced treatment satisfaction and adherence, reduced quality of life and serious health consequences. This has financial implications and costs for the patient, the public and the economy at large. The single most important risk factor for hypoglycaemia is previous hypoglycaemia. Prevention depends on appropriate education regarding diabetes management and selfcare, self-monitoring of blood glucose, awareness of factors that may precipitate hypoglycaemia, and an individualized approach to therapy and glycaemic control targets. The purpose of this review is to increase understanding of the impact and consequences of hypoglycaemia, in particular that associated with sulphonylurea therapy, and to highlight areas requiring more attention in order to improve the overall management of people with type 2 diabetes.

Low-volume insulin degludec 200 units/ml once daily improves glycemic control similarly to insulin glargine with a low risk of hypoglycemia in insulin-naive patients with type 2 diabetes: a 26-week, randomized, controlled, multinational, treat-to-target trial: the BEGIN LOW VOLUME trial

OBJECTIVE

The 200 units/mL formulation of insulin degludec (IDeg 200 units/mL) contains equal units of insulin in half the volume compared with the 100 units/mL formulation. We compared the efficacy and safety of IDeg 200 units/mL once daily with 100 units/mL insulin glargine (IGlar) in insulin-naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) inadequately controlled with oral antidiabetic drugs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this 26-week, open-label, treat-to-target trial, subjects (n = 457; mean HbA1c 8.3% [67 mmol/mol], BMI 32.4 kg/m(2), and fasting plasma glucose [FPG] 9.6 mmol/L [173.2 mg/dL]) were randomized to IDeg 200 units/mL or IGlar, both given once daily in combination with metformin with or without a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor. Basal insulin was initiated at 10 units/day and titrated weekly to an FPG target of <5 mmol/L (<90 mg/dL) according to mean prebreakfast self-measured blood glucose values from the preceding 3 days.

RESULTS

By 26 weeks, IDeg reduced HbA1c by 1.30% and was not inferior to IGlar. Mean observed FPG reductions were significantly greater with IDeg than IGlar (-3.7 vs. -3.4 mmol/L [-67 vs. -61 mg/dL]; estimated treatment difference: -0.42 [95% CI -0.78 to -0.06], P = 0.02). Despite this difference, rates of overall confirmed hypoglycemia were not higher with IDeg than with IGlar (1.22 and 1.42 episodes/patient-year, respectively), as were rates of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia (0.18 and 0.28 episodes/patient-year, respectively). Mean daily basal insulin dose was significantly lower by 11% with IDeg 200 units/mL compared with IGlar. IDeg was well-tolerated, and the rate of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar across groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this treat-to-target trial in insulin-naïve patients with T2DM, IDeg 200 units/mL improved glycemic control similarly to IGlar with a low risk of hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia: The neglected complication

Hypoglycemia is an important complication of glucose-lowering therapy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Attempts made at intensive glycemic control invariably increases the risk of hypoglycemia. A six-fold increase in deaths due to diabetes has been attributed to patients experiencing severe hypoglycemia in comparison to those not experiencing severe hypoglycemia Repeated episodes of hypoglycemia can lead to impairment of the counter-regulatory system with the potential for development of hypoglycemia unawareness. The short- and long-term complications of diabetes related hypoglycemia include precipitation of acute cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, neurocognitive dysfunction, retinal cell death and loss of vision in addition to health-related quality of life issues pertaining to sleep, driving, employment, recreational activities involving exercise and travel. There is an urgent need to examine the clinical spectrum and burden of hypoglycemia so that adequate control measures can be implemented against this neglected life-threatening complication. Early recognition of hypoglycemia risk factors, self-monitoring of blood glucose, selection of appropriate treatment regimens with minimal or no risk of hypoglycemia and appropriate educational programs for healthcare professionals and patients with diabetes are the major ways forward to maintain good glycemic control, minimize the risk of hypoglycemia and thereby prevent long-term complications.

A nine country study of the burden of non-severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic events on diabetes management and daily function

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to explore the burden and impact of non-severe nocturnal hypoglycaemic events (NSNHEs) on diabetes management, patient functioning and well-being in order to better understand the role that NSNHEs play in caring for persons with diabetes and facilitate optimal diabetes treatment management strategies.

METHODS

A 20-min survey assessing the impact of NSNHEs was administered to patients with self-reported diabetes age 18 or older via the Internet in nine countries (USA, UK, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Sweden) who experienced an NSNHE in the last month. Questions captured reasons for and length of the event, and impacts on diabetes management, daily function, sleep and well-being.

RESULTS

A total of 20 212 persons with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were screened of which 2108 respondents were eligible. Respondents initiated, on average, an additional 3.6 glucose monitoring tests, and did not resume usual functioning for an average of 3.4 hours after the NSNHE. Of the respondents using insulin, 15.8% decreased their insulin dose over an average of 3.6 days. NSNHEs also impacted sleep, with 10.4% not returning to sleep that night. Next day functioning was affected with 60.3% (n = 1273) feeling the need to take a nap and/or rest (with 65.5% of those actually taking a nap/rest) and 40.2% (n = 848) wanting to go to bed earlier than usual. A total of 21.4% were restricted in their driving the next day. These events also resulted in decreased well-being with 39.6% of respondents feeling 'emotional low' the following day.

CONCLUSIONS

NSNHEs have serious consequences for patients. Greater attention to patient and physician education regarding the burden of NSNHEs and incorporation of corrective actions in treatment plans is needed to facilitate patients reaching optimal glycaemic control.

Accuracy assessment of online glucose monitoring by a subcutaneous enzymatic glucose sensor during exercise in patients with type 1 diabetes treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

AIM

Online continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during physical exercise would be highly useful in patients with insulin-treated diabetes. For this reason, this study assessed whether such a goal could be reached with a subcutaneous 'needle-type' enzymatic sensor.

METHODS

Ten patients (five women/five men), aged 51 ± 12 years, with type 1 diabetes for 24 ± 11 years treated by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for more than 1 year (HbA1c: 7.5 ± 0.8%) performed a 30-min bout of exercise at a constant high-intensity load (15% above their individual ventilatory threshold) on a cycle ergometer. All patients wore a subcutaneous 'needle-type' enzymatic glucose sensor linked to a portable monitor (Guardian(®) RT, Medtronic-MiniMed, Northridge, CA, USA) that had been inserted the previous evening. Sensor calibration was performed against capillary blood glucose immediately before the exercise. CGM values were recorded every 5 min from T(-10) to T(+30), then every 10 min during the recovery period from T(+30) to T(+90). These recorded values were compared with blood glucose assays performed on simultaneously collected venous samples.

RESULTS

Sensor functioning and tolerability raised no problems except for one sensor that could not be adequately calibrated. Data from this patient were excluded from the data analysis. An average blood glucose decrease of 63 ± 63 mg/dL (3.5 ± 3.5 mmol/L) (median decrease: 58 mg/dL [3.22 mmol/L]; range: -3 mg/dL [0.16 mmol/L] to 178 mg/dL [9.8 mmol/L]) occurred during exercise bouts, while CGM values decreased by 38 ± 49 mg/dL (2.11 ± 2.72 mmol/L) (median: 32 mg/dL [1.7 mmmol/L]; range: -15 mg/dL [0.83 mmol/L] to 58 mg/dL [3.22 mmol/L]). Cumulative paired glucose values (n = 135) could be analyzed. The correlation factor between CGM and blood glucose values was 0.957 with an intercept of 0.275. The mean difference between paired values according to Bland-Altman analysis was 10 ± 31 mg/dL (0.56 ± 1.72 mmol/L). Clarke error grid analysis showed 91% of paired points in A and B zones, while 0%, 9% and 0% of paired points were in the C, D and E zones, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Blood glucose changes during intensive physical-exercise bouts performed by CSII-treated type 1 diabetes patients can be estimated with acceptable clinical accuracy by online CGM.

Descriptions of health states associated with increasing severity and frequency of hypoglycemia: a patient-level perspective

AIMS

We sought to develop descriptions of health states associated with daytime and nocturnal hypoglycemia in a structured fashion from the patient's perspective under different combinations of severity and frequency of hypoglycemic events.

METHODS

An expert meeting followed by two patient focus groups was used to develop comprehensive descriptions of acute consequences of severe and non-severe, daytime and nocturnal hypoglycemia. Patients with diabetes (type 1 = 85, type 2 = 162) from a survey panel then validated these descriptions and assessed how often they worried and took different actions to prevent hypoglycemia. Severity and frequency of hypoglycemia were compared with respect to how often people worried and took actions to prevent an event. The effect of hypoglycemia on 35 different life activities was quantitatively compared for patients who had and had not experienced a severe hypoglycemic event.

RESULTS

At least 95% of respondents agreed that the detailed patient-level descriptions of health states accurately reflected their experience of severe and non-severe, daytime and nocturnal hypoglycemia, thereby validating these descriptions. Respondents who had experienced a severe hypoglycemic event were generally more adversely affected in their worries and actions and life events than those who experienced only non-severe events; those who experienced nocturnal events were more affected than those who experienced only daytime events.

CONCLUSION

The negative psychosocial consequences and undesirable compensatory behaviors arising from hypoglycemia underscore the importance of preventing severe episodes, particularly severe nocturnal episodes. These validated descriptions for hypoglycemia from the patient's perspective may also help inform future qualitative and quantitative research.

Clinical evaluation of a novel test strip technology for blood glucose monitoring: accuracy at hypoglycaemic glucose levels

AIM

To evaluate OneTouch® Verio™ test strip performance at hypoglycaemic blood glucose (BG) levels (<3.9 mmol/L [<70 mg/dL]) at seven clinical studies.

METHODS

Trained clinical staff performed duplicate capillary BG monitoring system tests on 700 individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes using blood from a single fingerstick lancing. BG reference values were obtained using a YSI 2300 STAT™ Glucose Analyzer. The number and percentage of BG values within ±0.83 mmol/L (±15 mg/dL) and ±0.56 mmol/L (±10 mg/dL) were calculated at BG concentrations of <3.9 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL), <3.3 mmol/L (<60 mg/dL), and <2.8 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL).

RESULTS

At BG concentrations <3.9 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL), 674/674 (100%) of meter results were within ±0.83 mmol/L (±15 mg/dL) and 666/674 (98.8%) were within ±0.56 mmol/L (±10 mg/dL) of reference values. At BG concentrations <3.3 mmol/L (<60 mg/dL), and <2.8 mmol/L (<50 mg/dL), 358/358 (100%) and 270/270 (100%) were within ±0.56 mmol/L (±10 mg/dL) of reference values, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this analysis of data from seven independent studies, OneTouch Verio test strips provide highly accurate results at hypoglycaemic BG levels.

Adherence patterns in patients with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin analogues: missed, mistimed and reduced doses

OBJECTIVE

To describe basal insulin analogue dosing irregularities, the effect of these events on patient functioning, well-being and diabetes management, and the identification of patients most at risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The GAPP2 (Global Attitude of Patients and Physicians 2) study was an online multinational cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes currently treated with basal insulin, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the care of such patients. Basal insulin adherence patterns were evaluated with respect to three types of dosing irregularity: missed, mistimed [± 2 hours from prescribed time], and reduced dose over the last 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 3042 patients treated with basal insulin analogues and 1222 prescribers completed the full survey; 38% of patients reported any type of basal insulin dosing irregularity in the last 30 days. Patients reported missing (22% on 3 ± 0.16 occasions), mistiming (24% on 4.2 ± 0.21 occasions) or reducing (14% on 4.2 ± 0.24 occasions) basal insulin doses, with 15% of patients reporting multiple types of dosing irregularities. For most patients, missed (83%) and mistimed doses (82%) were unintentional, whereas the majority (87%) of patients reducing doses did so intentionally. Patients who intentionally missed or reduced a dose of basal insulin were significantly more likely to have performed this dosing irregularity on multiple occasions. Fifty-three percent of patients increased the frequency of blood glucose monitoring, and 17% of patients extended the duration of more frequent blood glucose monitoring by one or more days as a result of unintentional missed doses. Reduced dosing was highest in a subset of patients reporting self-treated hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Basal insulin dosing irregularities including missed, mistimed and reduced doses are common. A significant proportion of patients also report undertaking these irregular dosing behaviours at a frequency that would be considered by prescribers to negatively impact diabetes management. This is despite the potential under-reporting due to recall or social bias that may be a limitation of a self-reported survey around these behaviours.