A clinical trial of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily injections in older adults with type 2 diabetes

Patient-reported outcomes in studies of diabetes technology: What matters

In recent years, diabetes technologies have revolutionized the care of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Emerging evidence suggests that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can experience similar benefits from these advances in technology. While glycaemic outcomes are often a primary focus, the lived experience of the person with diabetes is equally important. In this review, we describe the impact of diabetes technologies on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). We highlight that most of the published studies investigated PROMs as secondary outcomes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems may have an important role in improving PROMs in individuals with T1D, which may be driven by the prevention or proactive management of hypoglycaemia. In people with T2D, continuous glucose monitoring may also have an important role in improving PROMs, particularly in those treated with insulin therapy. The impact of insulin pumps on PROMs seems positive in T1D, while there is limited evidence in T2D. Studies of hybrid closed-loop therapies suggest increased treatment satisfaction, improved quality of life and decreased diabetes-related distress in T1D, but it is unclear whether these benefits are because of a 'class-effect' or individual systems. We conclude that PROMs deserve a more central role in trials and clinical practice, and we discuss directions for future research.

Insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes: Insights into clinical efficacy, patient-reported outcomes, and adherence challenges

Insulin therapy plays a crucial role in the management of type 2 diabetes as the disease progresses. Over the past century, insulin formulations have undergone significant modifications and bioengineering, resulting in a diverse range of available insulin products. These products show distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles. Consequently, various insulin regimens have em-erged for the management of type 2 diabetes, including premixed formulations and combinations of basal and bolus insulins. The utilization of different insulin regimens yields disparate clinical outcomes, adverse events, and, notably, patient-reported outcomes (PROs). PROs provide valuable insights from the patient's perspective, serving as a valuable mine of information for enhancing healthcare and informing clinical decisions. Adherence to insulin therapy, a critical patient-reported outcome, significantly affects clinical outcomes and is influenced by multiple factors. This review provides insights into the clinical effectiveness of various insulin preparations, PROs, and factors impacting insulin therapy adherence, with the aim of enhancing healthcare practices and informing clinical decisions for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Should people with type 2 diabetes treated by multiple daily insulin injections with home health care support be switched to hybrid closed-loop? The CLOSE AP+ randomized controlled trial

AIM

The study aim was to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of automated insulin delivery (AID) assisted by home health care (HHC) services in people with type 2 diabetes unable to manage multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) at home on their own.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was an open label, multicentre, randomized, parallel group trial. In total, 30 adults with type 2 diabetes using MDI and requiring nursing support were randomly allocated to AID or kept their usual therapy over a 12-week period. Both treatments were managed with the support of HHC services. The primary outcome was the percentage time in the target glucose range of 70-180 mg/dl (TIR). Secondary outcomes included other continuous glucose monitoring metrics, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, daily insulin doses, body weight, and of quality of life scores, fear of hypoglycaemia and satisfaction questionnaires.

RESULTS

Age (69.7 vs. 69.3 years) and HbA1c (9.25 vs. 9.0) did not differ in MDI and AID at baseline. Compared with MDI, AID resulted in a significant increase in TIR by 27.4% [95% CI (15.0-39.8); p < .001], a decrease in time above range by 27.7% and an unchanged time below range of <1%. A between-group difference in HbA1c was 1.3% favouring AID. Neither severe hypoglycaemia nor ketoacidosis occurred in either group. Patient and caregiver satisfaction with AID was high.

CONCLUSIONS

AID combined with tailored HHC services significantly improved glycaemic control with no safety issues in people with type 2 diabetes previously under an MDI regimen with HHC. AID should be considered a safe option in these people when lacking acceptable glucose control.

Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition)

With the deepening of aging in China, the prevalence of diabetes in older people has increased noticeably, and standardized diabetes management is critical for improving clinical outcomes of diabetes in older people. In 2021, the National Center of Gerontology, Chinese Society of Geriatrics, and Diabetes Professional Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association organized experts to write the first guideline for diabetes diagnosis and treatment in older people in China, the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2021 Edition). The guideline emphasizes that older patients with diabetes are a highly heterogeneous group requiring comprehensive assessment and stratified and individualized management strategies. The guideline proposes simple treatments and de-intensified treatment strategies for older patients with diabetes. This edition of the guideline provides clinicians with practical and operable clinical guidance, thus greatly contributing to the comprehensive and full-cycle standardized management of older patients with diabetes in China and promoting the extensive development of clinical and basic research on diabetes in older people and related fields. In the past 3 years, evidence-based medicine for older patients with diabetes and related fields has further advanced, and new treatment concepts, drugs, and technologies have been developed. The guideline editorial committee promptly updated the first edition of the guideline and compiled the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition). More precise management paths for older patients with diabetes are proposed, for achieving continued standardization of the management of older Chinese patients with diabetes and improving their clinical outcomes.

Psychosocial and Glycemic Benefits for Insulin-Using Adults With Type 2 Diabetes After Six Months of Pump Therapy: A Quasi-Experimental Approach

BACKGROUND

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) use in adults with type 1 diabetes offers psychosocial and clinical benefits, but little is known about its impact on such outcomes in the type 2 diabetes (T2D) population. To address this gap, we conducted a quasi-experimental prospective study to assess psychosocial, glycemic, and behavioral changes over six months in T2D adults on multiple daily injections (MDI) who were interested in starting Omnipod DASH, comparing those who did versus did not start on it.

METHODS

In total, 458 adults with T2D completed baseline questionnaires assessing psychosocial dimensions (eg, diabetes distress), clinical metrics (eg, HbA1c [glycosylated hemoglobin]), and behavioral measures (eg, missed mealtime boluses). Six months later, 220 (48.0%) completed the same questionnaire again. To examine differences in outcomes over time between those who began CSII (n = 176) versus those who remained on MDI (n = 44), a latent change score approach was used.

RESULTS

The CSII users reported greater gains than MDI users on all major psychosocial metrics, including overall well-being (P < .001) diabetes distress (P < .001), perceived T2D impact on quality of life (P = .003), and hypoglycemic worries and concerns (P < .001). The CSII users similarly reported a larger decline in HbA1c than MDI users (P < .05) and greater declines in two critical self-care behaviors: number of missed mealtime boluses (P < .001) and number of days of perceived overeating (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of CSII (Omnipod DASH) in T2D adults can contribute to significant psychosocial, glycemic, and behavioral benefits, indicating that broader use of CSII in the T2D population may be of value.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion vs. Multiple Daily Injections in Type-2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a growing prevalence worldwide, even in developing countries. Many antidiabetic agents are used to improve glycemic control; however, in cases of an insufficient outcome, insulin is administered. Yet, the timing of proper insulin administration is still a subject of intense research. To date, there have been no recommendations or guidelines for the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). In the present study, we have performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the use of CSII in patients with T2DM. An extensive literature search was conducted through the electronic databases Pubmed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from October 2019-May 2022, for interventional studies related to T2DMI and CSII versus multiple daily injections (MDI). We included articles published in the English language only, yielding a total of thirteen studies. We found better outcomes in patients receiving CSII, in regard to glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and total insulin dose. In contrast, fasting plasma glucose and body weight did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups. Our analyses showed that CSII could be beneficial in patients with T2DM in order to achieve their glucose targets.

The experiences of insulin use among older people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A thematic synthesis

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is common in older people. Managing diabetes in older people can be challenging due to comorbidities and age-related disabilities, particularly in the context of insulin therapy. The purpose of this review is to explore older people's experiences of insulin use and to consider how these experiences might inform healthcare delivery.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review with thematic synthesis was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA and ENTREQ statements. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched from 1985 to September 2019 with subsequent updates in December 2019 and June 2022. Included studies were quality appraised, findings tabulated, and results used to inform an integrated thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies that reported insulin experiences with 274 patients aged 60 years and over were included; nine of the studies were qualitative and five used questionnaires surveys. Seven themes emerged that were grouped into treatment-related factors (physical impact of insulin, physical capacity to administer insulin, insulin self-management behaviours) and person-centred factors (emotional factors, social factors, daily living, and personal knowledge/beliefs). Three analytical themes to guide clinical practice were derived from the data: addressing physical capacity and ability, supporting social and emotional issues and improving interactions with healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

The review indicates issues surrounding the technical aspects of insulin administration, side effects of treatment and reactions to insulin administration are common amongst older people. However, research evidence is limited, and there is an urgent need for empirical, participatory research with older insulin dependent adults with type 2 diabetes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Healthcare professionals need to ensure that older type 2 diabetes people on insulin are actively involved in their own care, to allow their insulin regimens to be personalised and aligned with their goals and expectations. Tailored educational interventions to reduce treatment hazards and promote physical and psychological wellbeing are also needed for this population.

Effects of Metabolic Medicine and Metabolic Surgery on Patient-Reported Outcomes Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

The assessment and management of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is considered secondary to that of cardiometabolic outcomes. When assessed, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), a PRO, can yield pertinent information that cannot be obtained from cardiometabolic assessments. For instance, physical and mental distress can be quantified and treated. Moreover, treatment convenience and satisfaction can be gaged. Behavioral modification, bariatric surgery, and pharmacotherapy can improve PROs. Typically, HRQOL is responsive to changes in weight. Specifically, weight loss and weight gain are associated with positive and negative changes in quality of life, respectively. In addition, patient satisfaction can be influenced by glycemic control. Therefore, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemic episodes can negatively affect patient satisfaction. When managing type 2 diabetes (T2D), it is important to consider how therapies impact PROs. Generally, changes in clinical outcomes mirror changes in PROs. To best manage T2D, integrating the assessment of PROs with clinical outcomes is needed.

Dasiglucagon demonstrates reduced costs in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in a budget impact model

BACKGROUND: Approximately 7.3 million people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D/T2D) are treated with insulin, placing them at higher risk of severe hypoglycemia (SH). SH requires assistance of another individual and often necessitates the prompt administration of intravenous glucose, injectable glucagon, or both. Untreated, SH can progress to unconsciousness, seizures, coma, or death. Before 2018, all glucagon rescue treatments required reconstitution. The complexity of reconstitution is often a barrier to successful administration during a severe hypoglycemic event. Studies suggest successful administration of glucagon emergency kits range from 6%-56% of the time. Second-generation glucagon treatments and glucagon analogs do not require reconstitution and have caregiver administration success rates ranging from 94%-100%. Dasiglucagon is a glucagon analog administered via autoinjector or prefilled syringe and has been shown to result in rapid hypoglycemia recovery. Moreover, the autoinjector can be administered successfully 94% of the time by trained caregivers. Previous evaluation of costs in budget impact models (BIMs) demonstrated the potential for second-generation glucagon treatments to reduce the cost of SH events (SHEs). The current model expands on those findings with a treatment pathway and accompanying assumptions reflecting important aspects of real-world SHE treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the economic impact of dasiglucagon compared with available glucagon treatments for SHE management, considering direct cost of treatment and health care resource utilization. METHODS: A 1-year BIM with a hypothetical US commercial health plan of 1 million lives was developed with a target population of individuals with diabetes at risk of SHE. The treatment pathway model included initial and secondary treatment attempts, treatment administration success and failure, plasma glucose (PG) recovery within 15 minutes, emergency medical services, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations. A 1-way sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the sensitivity of the model to changes in parameter values. RESULTS: In a 1 million-covered lives population, it was estimated that 12,006 SHEs would occur annually. The higher rate of initial treatment success and PG recovery within 15 minutes associated with dasiglucagon treatment resulted in lower total health care costs. Total SHE treatment costs with dasiglucagon were estimated at $13.4 million, compared with $16.7 million for injectable native glucagon, $20.7 million for nasal glucagon, $35.3 million for reconstituted glucagon, and $43.8 million for untreated individuals. Compared with untreated people, the number needed to treat (NNT) with dasiglucagon was 6 individuals to avoid 1 hospitalization. NNT for this same comparison was 59 for injectable native glucagon and 27 for nasal glucagon. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of SH with dasiglucagon decreased total direct medical costs by reducing health care resource utilization (emergency calls, emergency transports, ED visits, and hospitalizations) and accompanying costs associated with the treatment of SH. DISCLOSURES: This research was funded by Zealand Pharma. Bromley, Hinahara, and Goss are employed by Boston Healthcare Associates, Inc., which received funding from Zealand Pharma for development of the health economic model and the manuscript. Kendall and Hammer are employed by Zealand Pharma. Weinzimer has received consulting fees from Zealand Pharma.

Management of Hyperglycemia in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

The increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in the general population as well as enhanced life expectancy has resulted in a rapid rise in the prevalence of diabetes in the older population. Diabetes causes significant morbidity and impairs quality of life. Managing diabetes in older adults is a daunting task due to unique health and psychosocial challenges. Medical management is complicated by polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, urinary incontinence, injurious falls, and persistent pain. Health care providers now have several traditional and contemporary pharmacologic agents to manage diabetes. Avoidance of hypoglycemia is critical; however, evidence-based guidelines are lacking due to the paucity of clinical trials in older adults. For many in this population, maintaining independence is more important than adherence to published guidelines to prevent diabetes complications. The goal of diabetes care in older adults is to enhance the quality of life without subjecting these patients to intrusive and complicated interventions. Recent technological advancements such as continuous glucose monitoring systems can have crucial supplementary benefits in the geriatric population.

Clinical Considerations for Insulin Therapy in Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes represents an autoimmune condition with a strong inherited background, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. About 25% of such cases are diagnosed in adulthood, some even as late as the ninth decade of life. The number of older adults with type 1 diabetes is increasing due to improvements in care and decreased mortality rate. However, there is a lack of clinical trials in people older than 70 years of age with type 1 diabetes complicated with comorbidities, frailty, and dependency. The management of type 1 diabetes and the goals of therapy should be individualized based on the patient's health status and life expectancy. In healthier older adults, insulin treatment regimens (multiple daily insulin injections or insulin pump therapy) that approximate the normal physiology of insulin secretion should be used to achieve lower glycemic goals, while reducing the risk of hypoglycemia with frequent glucose monitoring (preferably using continuous glucose monitoring systems). For frail individuals with poor health, simpler insulin regimens and less stringent glycemic targets would be more appropriate. Poor cognition, vision and hearing, impaired mobility, depression, and chronic pain can interfere with complex insulin regimens. In these individuals, the principal goals of therapy are to reduce the acute effects of hyperglycemia, minimize hypoglycemia risk, and optimize quality of life. The newer insulin preparations and technological advances in insulin delivery and blood glucose monitoring have enhanced the management of type 1 diabetes in all age groups.

Emerging technologies for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem affecting 422 million people worldwide, of which 34.2 million live in the United States alone. Complications due to diabetes can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality related to both microvascular and macrovascular disease. While glycosylated hemoglobin testing is the standard test utilized to evaluate glycemic control, emerging targets like "time in range" and "glycemic variability" often provide more accurate assessments of glycemic fluctuations and have implications for diabetes complications and quality of life. Patients with diabetes face considerable burdens of self-care including frequent glucose monitoring, multiple insulin injections, dietary management, and the need to track daily activities, all of which lead to reduced adherence and psychological burnout. From the provider perspective, limited patient data and access to self-management tools lead to treatment inertia and a reduced ability to help patients achieve and maintain their glycemic goals. In the past few decades, there have been considerable advances in treatment-based technology and technological applications designed to help reduce patient burden and provide tools for better self-management. These advances make real-time clinical data available for clinicians to make necessary changes in treatment regimens. In this review, we discuss the latest emerging technologies available for the management of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Insulin Pump Therapy for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence, Current Barriers, and New Technologies

An increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) use insulin pumps. The first insulin pumps especially designed for patients with T2DM have recently become available. However, national guidelines do not primarily recommend the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) for this patient group. The effectiveness of CSII in T2DM has not yet been convincingly demonstrated, despite some positive evidence. An overview and an assessment of various studies to date will be given. T2DM is a heterogeneous disease with a substantial phenotypic variability; therefore, it is difficult to provide general conclusions about the effectiveness of CSII in T2DM therapy. The pump types, characteristics, and associated barriers may play a relevant role for therapy outcome. Most advanced functions like various bolus dosages offered by conventional insulin pumps are not needed for T2DM treatment and complicate the device handling for this subject group. Additionally, new technologies like increased connectivity, advanced software features, and interoperability are currently becoming available representing further barriers. The implementation of this technological progress might be a benefit for pumps for T2DM as well. However, these have not been sufficiently examined either and increased security challenges due to integrated peripheral components should not be neglected in terms of a sound cybersecurity. Pump features and handling for patients with T2DM should be as easy as possible, indicating a need for insulin pumps specially designed for patients with T2DM. However, it has to be investigated if pumps designed for T2DM are more effective than other intensified insulin regimens.

H∞ controller and observer synthesis with delay and nonlinear perturbation of double diabetes systems

Patient having type 1 diabetes mellitus (having insulin resistance experience) cannot be treated solely by treatment procedure of type 1 patient nor does treatment employed for type 2 diabetes work for such patient. This type of diabetes patient needs a specific insulin injection procedure. For continuous insulin injection, the patient has to be classified as a different group from type 1 and type 2 patient. The patients experiencing both type 1 and 2 are called double diabetes mellitus (DDM) patient. Dynamic behavior of the patient was presented in delay differential equation (DDE). Based on the developed DDE of DDM model, controllers and observers fulfilling H_∞ norm bound are designed for this specific group of diabetes mellitus patient. Also, a nominal controller and a nominal observer are synthesized to check the proposed controller's ability for disturbance rejection, which is the glucose intake. The performance of the designed controller and observer is evaluated for a population of simulated patients. It shows that controller and observer are able to regulate and estimate, respectively, glycaemic for population of double diabetes patients.

Clinical profiles, outcomes and risk factors among type 2 diabetic inpatients with diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state: a hospital-based analysis over a 6-year period

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are the two most common hyperglycemic emergencies (HEs) associated with diabetes mellitus. Individuals with HEs can present with combined features of DKA and HHS. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical characteristics, therapeutic outcomes, and associated predisposing factors of type 2 diabetic patients with isolated or combined HEs in China.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 158 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), complicated with DKA, HHS, or DKA combined with HHS (DKA-HHS) in Shanghai Tongji Hospital, China from 2010 to 2015. Admission clinical features, therapeutic approaches and treatment outcomes of those patients were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 158 patients with T2DM, 65 (41.1%) patients were DKA, 74 (46.8%) were HHS, and 19 (12.0%) were DKA-HHS. The most common precipitants were infections (111, 70.3%), newly diagnosed diabetes (28,17.7%) and non-compliance to medications (9, 5.7%). DKA patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe group, based on arterial blood gas. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that C-reaction protein (CRP) was positively correlated with severity of DKA, whereas age and fasting C peptide were inversely correlated with severity of DKA (P < 0.05). The mortality was 10.8% (17/158) in total and 21.6% (16/74) in the HHS group, 5.9% (1/17) in DKA-HHS. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that death in patients with HHS was positively correlated to effective plasma osmolality (EPO), renal function indicators and hepatic enzymes, while inversely associated with the continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy. Logistic regression analysis suggested that elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) on admission was an independent predisposing factor of mortality in HHS, while CSII might be a protective factor for patients with HHS. Furthermore, the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that BUN had the largest area under the ROC curves for predicting death in patients with HHS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed elevated CRP and decreased fasting C-peptide might serve as indicator for severe DKA. Elevated BUN might be an independent predictor of mortality in patients with HHS, whereas CSII might be a protective factor against death in HHS.

Comparative characteristics of older people with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or insulin injection therapy: data from the German/Austrian DPV registry

AIM

To compare clinical characteristics and outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes aged ≥ 60 years using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) vs. insulin injection therapy. Further, to determine the percentage of older adults with type 1 diabetes using CSII.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Retrospective study using data of the Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry (DPV). Including percentage CSII use from 2008 to 2018, and the characteristics of 9547 individuals extracted from the DPV in March 2019 (N = 1404 CSII; N = 8143 insulin injection therapy). Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables to compare clinical characteristics of people using CSII vs. insulin injection therapy. Adjusted analyses used generalized linear models to compare diabetes-related outcomes.

RESULTS

CSII usage has increased in older adults (from 12% in 2008 to 23% in 2018). After adjustment, CSII was associated with lower HbA_1c [60.7 mmol/mol (7.7 ± 0.1%) vs. 62.8% (7.9 ± 0.1%)], lower daily insulin dose (0.49 ± 0.02 vs. 0.61 ± 0.01 IU/kg), fewer days in hospital (8.1 ± 0.12 vs. 11.2 ± 0.11 days/person-year), fewer severe hypoglycaemic events (0.16 ± 0.02 vs. 0.21 ± 0.03 events/person-year) and fewer diabetic ketoacidosis (0.06 ± 0.01 vs. 0.08 ± 0.01 events/person-year). Individuals on CSII showed lower rates of microalbuminuria and also have a diagnosis of depression and neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONS

A growing number of older adults are using insulin pumps. Older age in itself should not be seen as a contraindication for CSII.

2019 Endocrine Society Measures Set for Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Who Are at Risk for Hypoglycemia

CONTEXT

Hypoglycemia in the outpatient setting has a significant financial impact on the health care system and negative impact on a person's quality of life. Primary care physicians must address a multitude of issues in a visit with a person with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), often leaving little time to ask about hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE

To develop quality measures that focus on outpatient hypoglycemia episodes for patients 65 and older with T2DM, which facilitate a clinician's ability to identify opportunities to improve the quality of care and reduce hypoglycemic episodes.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCESS

A technical expert panel established by the Endocrine Society in March 2019, which includes endocrinologists, primary care physicians, a diabetes care and education specialist/pharmacist, and a patient, developed 3 outpatient hypoglycemia quality measures. The measure set is intended to improve quality of care for patients with T2DM who are at greatest risk for hypoglycemia. The measures were available for public comment in July 2019. A fourth measure on shared decision-making was removed from the final measure set based on public feedback.

CONCLUSION

A lack of outpatient hypoglycemia measures focusing on older adults with T2DM is a barrier to improving care of people with diabetes and reducing hypoglycemic episodes. This paper provides measure specifications for 3 measures that may be used to focus quality improvement efforts on patients at greatest risk for hypoglycemia.

Human regular U-500 insulin via continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily injections in adults with type 2 diabetes: The VIVID study

AIM

To compare the safety and efficacy of U500-R delivered by a novel, specifically designed U500-R insulin pump with U-500R delivered by multiple daily injections (MDI).

METHODS

The phase 3 VIVID study randomized people with type 2 diabetes to U-500R by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or MDI. Participants (aged 18-85 years) had HbA1c ≥7.5% and ≤12.0% and a total daily dose of insulin >200 and ≤600 U/day. After a 2-week transition to three times daily injections of U-500R, participants were treated for 24 weeks with U-500R by CSII or MDI. Treatment arms were compared using mixed model repeated measures analysis.

RESULTS

The study randomized 420 participants (CSII: 209, MDI: 211) with 365 completers. Mean changes from baseline were: HbA1c, -1.27% (-13.9 mmol/mol) with CSII and -0.85% (-9.3 mmol/mol) with MDI (difference - 0.42% [-4.6 mmol/mol], P <0.001); fasting plasma glucose, -33.9 mg/dL (-1.9 mmol/L) with CSII and 1.7 mg/dL (0.09 mmol/L) with MDI (difference - 35.6 mg/dL [-2.0 mmol/L], P <0.001); total daily dose, 2.8 U with CSII and 51.3 U with MDI (P < 0.001). Weight changes and rates of documented symptomatic and severe hypoglycaemia were similar between groups; the CSII group had a higher rate of nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

In type 2 diabetes requiring high doses of insulin, both methods of U-500R delivery lowered HbA1c. However, the CSII group attained greater HbA1c reduction with significantly less insulin. Individualized dose titration will be important to balance glycaemic control with hypoglycaemia risk.

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

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a highly prevalent disease worldwide. It has been associated with an important morbimortality due to its complications and sometimes as a result of adverse events related to treatment. Insulin pump therapy (IPT) is one of the options used to control this disease and reduces one of the most frequent complication associated with treatment: hypoglycemia, which has also a great impact on life quality and clinical status of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive and retrospective study was performed including patients treated and followed by the department of endocrinology from a high-complexity university hospital in Cali, Colombia, between 2012 and 2017. Patients were on IPT and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM): MiniMed Paradigm® Veo™ Insulin Pump (Medtronic®) and MiniMed 640G Insulin Pump-Enlite™ Sensor (Medtronic®). Presentation of hypoglycemia and variables associated with its development were evaluated.

RESULTS

51 patients were included. The main indication for IPT initiation was the report of hypoglycemic episodes and inappropriate metabolic control. Initiation of IPT was related with a decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and also a decrease in severe hypoglycemic events and hospitalization due to hypoglycemia. The risk factors linked with clinically significant hypoglycemia were male gender, and standard deviation of glucose measures calculated by CGM. A diminished glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²) was correlated with higher risk of severe hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

IPT with CGM is a useful strategy in the management of patients with DM; it is associated with a reduction of adverse hypoglycemic events and hospitalizations due to hypoglycemia.

Impact of technology on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized trials on continuous glucose monitoring and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

AIM

To conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effect of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and the combination of the two, on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis included randomized clinical trials comparing CSII with multiple daily injections (MDI) in people with type 2 diabetes, as well as studies comparing CGM or flash glucose monitoring (FGM) with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), with a duration of at least 12 weeks, identified in Medline or clinicaltrials.gov. The principal endpoint was glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) at the end of the trial. Mean and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for HbA1c and Mantel-Haenzel odds ratios for severe hypoglycaemia were calculated, using random-effect models.

RESULTS

The retrieved trials showed a significant heterogeneity (I² = 90%). The difference in HbA1c between CSII and MDI was not statistically significant (-0.26% [95% CI -0.74;0.22]; P = .29). The difference in endpoint HbA1c between CGM and SMBG was marginally significant (-0.24 [95% CI -0.49;0.00]; P = .05), and CGM was possibly associated with a lower hypoglycaemic risk. Only one trial explored the effect of FGM, as compared with SMBG, on HbA1c in type 2 diabetes, finding no difference across groups (at study end: 8.4% ± 0.8% vs 8.3% ± 1.1% with FGM and SMBG, respectively). Conversely, FGM was associated with an improvement in quality of life and with a lower incidence of hypoglycaemic events. The small number of retrieved trials indicates that the results should be interpreted with caution.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis showed that CSII, CGM and FGM provide only small benefits compared with MDI (on either HbA1c, hypoglycaemic risk or quality of life) in insulin-treated people with type 2 diabetes.

Treatment of Diabetes in Older Adults: An Endocrine Society* Clinical Practice Guideline

OBJECTIVE

The objective is to formulate clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of diabetes in older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes, particularly type 2, is becoming more prevalent in the general population, especially in individuals over the age of 65 years. The underlying pathophysiology of the disease in these patients is exacerbated by the direct effects of aging on metabolic regulation. Similarly, aging effects interact with diabetes to accelerate the progression of many common diabetes complications. Each section in this guideline covers all aspects of the etiology and available evidence, primarily from controlled trials, on therapeutic options and outcomes in this population. The goal is to give guidance to practicing health care providers that will benefit patients with diabetes (both type 1 and type 2), paying particular attention to avoiding unnecessary and/or harmful adverse effects.

Automated insulin dosing guidance to optimise insulin management in patients with type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Insulin therapy is most effective if dosage titrations are done regularly and frequently, which is seldom practical for most clinicians, resulting in an insulin titration gap. The d-Nav Insulin Guidance System (Hygieia, Livonia, MI, USA) is a handheld device that is used to measure glucose, determine glucose patterns, and automatically determine the appropriate next insulin dose. We aimed to determine whether the combination of the d-Nav device and health-care professional support is superior to health-care professional support alone.

METHODS

In this multicentre, randomised, controlled study, we recruited patients from three diabetes centres in the USA (in Detroit MI; Minneapolis, MN; and Des Moines IA). Patients were eligible if they were aged 21-70 years, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes with a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration of 7·5% or higher (≥58 mmol/mol) and 11% or lower (≤97 mmol/mol), and had been using the same insulin regimen for the previous 3 months. Exclusion criteria included body-mass index of 45 kg/m2 or higher; severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal impairment; and more than two severe hypoglycaemic events in the past year. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1), with randomisation blocked within each site, to either d-Nav and health-care professional support (intervention group) or health-care professional support alone (control group). Both groups were contacted seven times (three face-to-face and four phone visits) during 6 months of follow-up. The primary objective was to compare average change in HbA1c from baseline to 6 months. Safety was assessed by the frequency of hypoglycaemic events. The primary objective and safety were assessed in the intention-to-treat population. We used Student's t test to assess the primary outcome for statistical significance. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02424500.

FINDINGS

Between Feb 2, 2015, and March 17, 2017, 236 patients were screened for eligibility, of whom 181 (77%) were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=93) and control (n=88) groups. At baseline, mean HbA1c was 8·7% (SD 0·8; 72 mmol/mol [SD 8·8]) in the intervention group and 8·5% (SD 0·8; 69 mmol/mol [SD 8·8]) in the control group. The mean decrease in HbA1c from baseline to 6 months was 1·0% (SD 1·0; 11 mmol/mol [SD 11]) in the intervention group, and 0·3% (SD 0·9; 3·3 mmol/mol [9·9]) in the control group (p<0·0001). The frequency of hypoglycaemic events per month was similar between the groups (0·29 events per month [SD 0·48] in the intervention group vs 0·29 [SD 1·12] in the control group; p=0·96).

INTERPRETATION

The combination of automated insulin titration guidance with support from health-care professionals offers superior glycaemic control compared with support from health-care professionals alone. Such a solution facilitated safe and effective insulin titration in a large group of patients with type 2 diabetes, and now needs to be evaluated across large health-care systems to confirm these findings and study cost-effectiveness.

FUNDING

US National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Evidence-Based Management of Diabetes in Older Adults

The number of older adults with diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide. A variety of factors contribute to the age-related increase in the incidence of diabetes. The lack of empiric evidence in the field has limited the management guidelines to mostly expert opinion. Given uncertainty over the rate at which to lower blood glucose levels and the optimal method of doing so, the goals of diabetes control in older people must be individualized. If the patient requires insulin therapy, the newer insulins, with their improved pharmacodynamic consistency and reduced risk of hypoglycemia, should be preferred. Several oral agents are preferable for people with sufficient endogenous insulin because they do not cause hypoglycemia when used as monotherapy. Some of these oral agents have been found to have cardioprotective effects. Older people with diabetes also require management of the other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, with antihypertensive drugs, cholesterol-lowering agents and low-dose aspirin. However, the precise targets for blood pressure control and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels continue to evolve as more data become available. Diabetes care in older adults should focus on enhancing the individual's quality of life rather than trying to normalize blood glucose levels or reach predetermined blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets.

Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Can Be Used Effectively and Safely in Older Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: Long-Term Follow-up

Use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in adults with type 1 diabetes has become increasingly popular in recent years, with recent studies examining the efficacy of CSII use in pregnancy and in type 2 diabetes. However, there is very limited information on the benefit of CSII in older patients with type 1 diabetes. Electronic medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients with type 1 diabetes undertaking structured patient education and initiated on CSII or multiple daily injections (MDI) between 2000 and 2016. Outcomes examined related to changes in glycemic parameters and weight and utilization of healthcare resources. Data relating to 293 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with up to 10 years of follow-up data available. For patients commencing CSII, glycemic and weight outcomes and utilization of healthcare resources were similar in older compared with younger patients. For older patients, use of CSII was associated with better glycemic outcomes at the cost of a small increase in healthcare resources compared with MDI. CSII can be used effectively and safely in the longer term in carefully selected older patients with type 1 diabetes, with similar outcomes as observed in younger patients using CSII, and potentially better glycemic outcomes than MDI in older patients.

Male Patients with Longstanding Type 2 Diabetes Have a Higher Incidence of Hypoglycemia Compared with Female Patients

INTRODUCTION

To explore whether there was a gender difference in the risk of hypoglycemia during intensive insulin therapy in patients with longstanding type 2 diabetes (T2D). This was a post hoc analysis of a single-center, open-label and prospective trial.

METHODS

All subjects were admitted as inpatients, underwent a standard bread meal test at baseline and received a 7-day continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy for achieving glycemic control. Patients then were randomized 1:1 to two groups receiving (1) 4 days of Novo Mix 30 followed by 2 days of Humalog Mix 50; (2) 4 days of Humalog Mix 50 followed by 2 days of Novo Mix 30. All patients were subjected to 4-day retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) during the last 4 days in this study. The primary outcome was the incidences of hypoglycemia monitored by CGM at the end point.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients met the inclusion criteria and completed the study. Our data revealed that 29 patients (28%) experienced hypoglycemia as detected by CGM at the end point. Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that only gender significantly correlated with hypoglycemia (B = 1.17, p = 0.017). Importantly, male patients had a significantly higher incidence of hypoglycemia than female patients (male = 20/52, female = 9/50, p = 0.022), although male patients required significantly lower insulin doses to maintain glycemic control than female patient (p = 0.00).

CONCLUSION

Male patients with longstanding T2D had a higher incidence of hypoglycemia than female patients during intensive insulin therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, ChiCTR-IPR-15007340.

Improved glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction with a simple wearable 3-day insulin delivery device among people with Type 2 diabetes

AIM

To evaluate the PAQ® (CeQur SA, Horw, Switzerland), a wearable 3-day insulin delivery device that provides set basal rates and bolus insulin on demand, in people with Type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

Adults with Type 2 diabetes with HbA1c concentrations ≥53 and ≤97 mmol/mol (7.0 and 11.0%) while treated with ≥2 insulin injections/day were enrolled in two single-arm studies comprising three periods: a baseline (insulin injections), a transition and a PAQ treatment period (12 weeks). Endpoints included HbA1c , seven-point self-monitored blood glucose, total daily dose of insulin and body weight. Safety was assessed according to examination, hypoglycaemic episodes and adverse device effects.

RESULTS

A total of 28 adults were enrolled (age 63 ± 7 years, 86% men, BMI 32.3 ± 4.3kg/m2 , Type 2 diabetes duration 17 ± 8 years, HbA1c 70 ± 12 mmol/mol (8.6 ± 1.1%), total daily insulin dose 58.7 ± 20.7 U), of whom 24 completed the studies. When transitioned to PAQ, 75% of participants continued on the first basal rate selected. After 12 weeks of PAQ wear, significant improvements from baseline were seen [HbA1c -16 ± 9 mmol/mol (95% CI -20, -12) or -1.5 ± 0.9% (95% CI -1.8, -1.1) P<0.0001], and at all seven self-monitored blood glucose readings time points (P ≤0.03). Total daily insulin dose increased by 12.1 ± 19.5 U (95% CI 3.9, 20.4; P=0.0058), the number of meal time boluses increased by 0.9 ± 1.5/day (95% CI 0.3, 1.5; P=0.0081) and body weight remained stable. Six participants had mild to moderate catheter site reactions and one mild skin irritation occurred. No participant experienced severe hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with Type 2 diabetes were safely transitioned from insulin injections to the PAQ and had significantly improved glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction with insulin therapy. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02158078 & NCT02419859).

Insulin Pump in Difficult to Control Type 2 Diabetes: A Single Center, Five Years' Experience

Objective Due to a progressive decline in beta-cell function, a considerable number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) ultimately require multiple daily injections of large doses of insulin for glycemic control. Majority of studies have reported only short-term benefits of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) using an insulin pump in T2D. Our five-year follow-up data of CSII in T2D is one of the few studies showing persistent benefit in glucose control in this population. Research design and methods We did a chart review of patients treated with an insulin pump for five years. Inclusion criteria were: type 2 diabetes, 18-75 years of age, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) more than 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) on multiple doses of insulin (MDI > four injections per day) or more than 100 units of insulin/day, wide glycemic excursions, and intractable hypoglycemia. We identified a total of 13 patients. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to five years. We also reviewed the difference in weight, basal insulin requirements, hypoglycemia, and patient satisfaction questionnaire at one year. Exclusion criteria were: type 1 diabetes (T1D) and pregnancy. Results The HbA1c at five years was found to be 7.72% (61 mmol/mol) compared to a baseline of 8.89% (74 mmol/mol), p-value 0.0076. We did not find any increased risk of severe hypoglycemia, weight gain, and insulin requirement. Conclusions The beneficial effect of insulin pump persisted for five years of follow-up, suggesting it as a valuable treatment option for difficult to treat T2D.

A qualitative study exploring patients' experiences regarding insulin pump use

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a threat to peoples' lives around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Medicine misuse and poor glycaemic control are prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes, especially insulin-dependent patients (Alsairafi et al., 2016). With advances in medical technology, insulin pumps became a treatment option for patients with type 1 diabetes and those with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. However, use of these devices is still lacking in Kuwait, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes. Information on how patients manage these devices and their efficacy and safety from the perspectives of patients is also lacking (Alsaleh et al., 2016).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the views and experiences of adults with type 2 diabetes regarding the use of insulin pumps compared to their previous insulin delivery methods, in terms of glycaemic control, quality of life, preference, convenience and adherence to doses.

SETTING

The main five secondary-care hospitals in Kuwait: Mobarak Al-Kabeer, Al Amiri, Al Adan, Al Farwaniya and Al Jahra.

METHOD

All adults with type 2 diabetes who used an insulin pump were invited to participate. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA-11.

RESULTS

A total of eight patients were interviewed. Interviews with patients revealed that using an insulin pump improved patients' glycaemic control and quality of life as a consequence of improved satisfaction and adherence to doses.

CONCLUSION

From the perspective of adults with type 2 diabetes, there are lots of benefits of using insulin pumps over other insulin delivery methods, mainly seen by the improvement of quality of life and patients' adherence to doses. Policy-makers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) must be aware of such benefits and should support the wider implementation of this technology in the country by including patients with type 2 diabetes. Results of this study will help to inform healthcare provision and guideline modifications and to provide guidance for new patients using this therapy.

Insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes - are we there yet? The d-Nav® story

Insulin replacement therapy is mostly used by patients with type 2 diabetes who become insulin deficient and have failed other therapeutic options. They comprise about a quarter of those with diabetes, endures the majority of the complications and consumes the majority of the resources. Adequate insulin replacement therapy can prevent complications and reduce expenses, as long as therapy goals are achieved and maintained. Sadly, these therapy goals are seldom achieved and outcomes have not improved for decades despite advances in pharmacotherapy and technology.

There is a growing recognition that the low success rate of insulin therapy results from intra-individual and inter-individual variations in insulin requirements. Total insulin requirements per day vary considerably between patients and constantly change without achieving a steady state. Thus, the key element in effective insulin therapy is unremitting and frequent dosage adjustments that can overcome those dynamics. In practice, insulin adjustments are done sporadically during outpatient clinic. Due to time constraints, providers are not able to deliver appropriate insulin dosage optimization.

The d-Nav® Insulin Guidance Service has been developed to provide appropriate insulinization in insulin users without increasing the burden on healthcare systems. It relies on dedicated clinicians and a spectrum of technological solutions. Patients are provided with a handheld device called d-Nav® which advises them what dose of insulin to administer during each injection and automatically adjust insulin dosage when needed. The d-Nav care specialists periodically follow-up with users through telephone calls and in-person consultations to bestow user confidence, correct usage errors, triage, and identify uncharacteristic clinical courses.

The following review provide details about the service and its clinical outcomes.

Impact of a Novel Insulin Management Service on Non-insulin Pharmaceutical Expenses

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that improvements in glycemic control are associated with avoidance or delayed onset of diabetes complications, improvements in health-related quality of life, and reductions in diabetes-related health care costs. Clinical practice guidelines recommend maintaining a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level less than 7%, but among type 2 diabetes patients using insulin, two-thirds have HbA1c above 7% and one-third have HbA1c above 9%.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the use of insulin management services to enable patients to optimize insulin dosing to achieve HbA1c targets and subsequently reduce health care costs. Cost savings may be achieved through reduced complications and hospitalizations, as well as reduced outpatient, physician, and clinic costs. This study quantified the reduction in pharmaceutical expenses related to the use of an enhanced insulin management service to improve glycemic control.

METHODS

Two hundred seventeen insulin-reliant patients were enrolled in the d-Nav® Insulin Guidance Service through a participating insurance group. A prospective cost analysis was conducted using data from enrolled patients who completed the first 90 days of follow up.

RESULTS

Of the 192 patients who completed the 90-day study period, 54 (28.13%) were prescribed one or more expensive medications at baseline, but 45 (83.33%) of those patients were eligible for medication discontinuation after 90 days. At baseline, the annual cost of expensive medications per patient was $7564 (CI: $5191-$9938) and $1483 (CI: -$1463-$4429) at 90 days (p<0.001). Direct savings from medication elimination was estimated to be $145 per patient per month (PPPM) or $1736 per patient per year (PPPY) for all patients and $514 PPPM/$6172 PPPY for the target group. Patients that completed the 90-day period significantly reduced HbA1c levels from 9.37% (CI:7.72%-11.03%) at baseline to 7.71% (CI: 6.70%-8.73%) (p<0.001). A total of 170 (88.54%) patients had improved HbA1c at 90 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the insulin guidance service achieved improved glycemic control by optimizing insulin dosing, which enabled most patients using the service to reduce or eliminate the use of expensive diabetes medications. Further study is needed to assess the impact of optimized insulin dosing on other diabetes-related health care costs in a usual practice setting.

Complex Assessment of Metabolic Effectiveness of Insulin Pump Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Beyond HbA1c Reduction

BACKGROUND

This prospective single-center study recruited insulin-resistant continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy-naive patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) using insulin analog-based multiple daily injections (MDI) therapy and metformin.

METHODS

A total of 23 individuals with T2D (70% male), aged a mean ± standard deviation 57.2 ± 8.03 years, with body mass index of 36.2 ± 7.02 kg/m², diabetes duration of 13.3 ± 4.64 years, and HbA1c of 10.0% ± 1.05% were randomly assigned to a CSII arm or an MDI continuation arm to explore glucose control, weight loss, total daily insulin dose (TDD), and insulin resistance. Insulin dosing was optimized over a 2-month run-in period.

RESULTS

At 6 months, patients assigned to the CSII arm achieved a significant mean HbA1c reduction of -0.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.6, -0.1), while reducing their TDD by -29.8 ± 28.41 U/day (33% of baseline [92.1 ± 20.35 U/day]) and achieving body mass (BM) reduction of -0.8 ± 5.61 kg (0.98% of baseline [104.8 ± 16.15 kg]). MDI patients demonstrated a nonsignificant HbA1c reduction of -0.3% (95% CI = -0.8, 0.1) with a TDD reduction of 5% from baseline (99.0 ± 25.25 U/day to 94.3 ± 21.25 U/day), and a BM reduction of -1.0 ± 2.03 kg (0.99% of baseline [108.9 ± 20.55 kg]). After 6 months, the MDI arm crossed over to CSII therapy. At 12 months, patients continuing CSII demonstrated an additional mean 0.7% HbA1c reduction with 54.6% achieving HbA1c<8%. The final TDD reduction was -9.7 U/day in comparison to baseline; BM increased by 1.1 ± 6.5 kg from baseline. The MDI patients that crossed to CSII showed an HbA1c reduction of -0.5% ± 1.04%, HbA1c response rate of 27.3%, a TDD reduction of -17.4 ± 21.06 U/day, and a BM reduction of -0.3 ± 3.39 kg. Diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia did not occur in either arm.

CONCLUSION

CSII therapy safely and significantly improved metabolic control with less insulin usage, with no sustainable reduction of BM, blood pressure, and lipid profile, in insulin-resistant T2D patients. Treatment adherence and satisfaction in these patients were excellent.

6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2018

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

Impact of improving postprandial glycemic control with intensifying insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes

Worldwide, many people with type 2 diabetes are not at recommended glycemic targets and remain at increased risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Reaching recommended glycemic targets requires normalizing both fasting and postprandial glucose (PPG). For some patients, this will require addition of a prandial insulin delivered by injection to control PPG excursions. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests an association between postprandial hyperglycemia and cardiovascular disease, and thus, expert guidelines recommend that treatment for elevated PPG not be delayed. Indeed, studies have demonstrated that PPG makes the greatest contribution to HbA_1c in patients who are approaching, but have not yet reached HbA_1c <7.0%. Appropriately timed exposure of the liver to insulin is critical in suppressing hepatic glucose output (and therefore PPG levels) after a meal. Rapid-acting insulin analogs, with their faster onset and shorter duration of action, offer advantages over regular human insulin. Unfortunately, even with improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics, rapid-acting insulin analogs are still unable to fully reproduce the rapid release of insulin into the portal circulation and suppression of hepatic glucose output that occurs in the individual without diabetes after starting a meal. The next generation of rapid-acting insulin analogs will have an even more favorable pharmacokinetic profile that should allow patients to further improve glycemic control. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) represents another option for intensifying therapy and improving postprandial control in some patients, and studies have shown that the benefits are sustainable long-term. However, it is currently unclear which patients stand to benefit the most from the extra expense and complexity of a CSII regimen, and further studies are needed.

Factors associated with improved glycemic control following continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled with bolus-basal insulin regimens: An analysis from the OpT2mise randomized trial

This analysis investigated factors associated with the decrease in HbA1c in patients receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in the OpT2mise randomized trial. In this study, patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c >8% following multiple daily injections (MDI) optimization were randomized to receive CSII (n = 168) or MDI (n = 163) for 6 months. Patient-related and treatment-related factors associated with decreased HbA1c in the CSII arm were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. CSII produced a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than MDI, and the treatment difference increased with baseline HbA1c. In the CSII arm, the only factors significantly associated with decreased HbA1c were higher baseline HbA1c (P < .001), geographical region (P < .001), higher educational level (P = .012), higher total cholesterol level (P = .002), lower variability of baseline glucose values on continuous glucose monitoring (P < .001) and the decrease in average fasting self-monitored blood glucose at 6 months (P < .001). These findings suggest that CSII offers an option to improve glycemic control in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes in whom control cannot be achieved with MDI. OpT2mise ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01182493 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).

Type 2 diabetes specialty clinic model for the accountable care organization era

AIMS

A third of the patients with Type 2 diabetes have an advance disease that requires complex pharmacotherapies and advanced expertise, dependent on multiple clinical interactions. Unfortunately, limited providers availability enables only sporadic interactions. Additionally, the expanding Accountable Care Organization (ACO) concept enhances providers' compensation when clinical performance is improving while limiting face-to-face clinic visits.

METHODS

We developed an advanced type 2 specialty clinic model, geared toward frequent remote clinical interventions while limiting face-to-face clinic visits. The model was tested in a 1-year, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. N=60, patients were randomized 1:1, to the experimental or standard endocrinology clinics.

RESULTS

Average A1c in the experimental arm decreased from 9.6±0.9% to 7.9±1.3%(p<0.0001). Whereas in the control it decreased from 8.9±0.8% to 8.6±1.9%(non-significant). More patients were treated with statins in the experimental arm compared to the control (93.3% vs. 66.7%; p=0.01). Face-to-face clinic visits occurred 1.5±0.7 times per year in the experimental arm compared to 3.6±4.0 in the control (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that the presented model for a modified type 2 diabetes specialty clinic may enhance providers accessibility and patients' outcomes while improving reimbursement in the ACO model.

Intensive insulin therapy combined with metformin is associated with reduction in both glucose variability and nocturnal hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

The effect on glucose variability in patients with intensive insulin therapy has not been fully understood. This observational study investigated the different glucose variability and hypoglycaemia patterns in type 2 diabetes patients treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI) with or without metformin administration.

METHODS

During hospitalization, a total of 501 patients with poor glycaemic control and in initial treatment with either CSII alone (n = 187), CSII + Metformin (n = 81), MDI alone (n = 146), or MDI + Metformin (n = 87) were involved in the final analysis. Data obtained from continuous glucose monitoring were used to assess blood glucose fluctuation and nocturnal hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

Among the 4 groups, no difference was found in mean blood glucose levels. Results in parameters reflecting glucose fluctuation: continuous overlapping net glycaemic action in CSII + Metformin and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions in MDI + Metformin were significantly lower than those in either CSII alone or MDI alone, respectively, even after adjustment (P = .031 and .006). Frequency of nocturnal hypoglycaemia was significantly decreased in CSII + Metformin as compared with CSII alone (0.6% vs 1.8%) and in MDI + Metformin as compared with MDI alone (1.6% vs 2.3%), with the highest frequency observed in MDI alone and the lowest in CSII + Metformin (all between group P < .001). Consistent results were obtained in between-group comparisons for hypoglycaemia duration. Subgroup analysis matched with baseline body mass index, and glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood glucose further confirmed these findings.

CONCLUSION

Metformin added to initial CSII or MDI therapy is associated with a reduction in both glucose fluctuation and nocturnal hypoglycaemic risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Glycemic Control During Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Versus Multiple Daily Insulin Injections in Type 2 Diabetes: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To compare glycemic control during continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) in people with type 2 diabetes to identify patient characteristics that determine those best treated by CSII.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Randomized controlled trials were selected comparing HbA_1c during CSII versus MDI in people with type 2 diabetes. Data sources included Cochrane database and Ovid Medline. We explored patient-level determinants of final HbA_1c level and insulin dose using Bayesian meta-regression models of individual patient data and summary effects using two-step meta-analysis. Hypoglycemia data were unavailable.

RESULTS

Five trials were identified, with 287 patients randomized to receive MDI and 303 to receive CSII. Baseline HbA_1c was the best determinant of final HbA_1c: HbA_1c difference (%) = 1.575 - (0.216 [95% credible interval 0.371-0.043] × baseline HbA_1c) for all trials, but with largest effect in the trial with prerandomization optimization of control. Baseline insulin dose was best predictor of final insulin dose: insulin dose difference (units/kg) = 0.1245 - (0.382 [0.510-0.254] × baseline insulin dose). Overall HbA_1c difference was -0.40% (-0.86 to 0.05 [-4.4 mmol/mol (-9.4 to 0.6)]). Overall insulin dose was reduced by -0.25 units/kg (-0.31 to -0.19) (26% reduction on CSII), and by -24.0 units/day (-30.6 to -17.5). Mean weight did not differ between treatments (0.08 kg [-0.33 to 0.48]).

CONCLUSIONS

CSII achieves better glycemic control than MDI in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, with ∼26% reduction in insulin requirements and no weight change. The best effect is in those worst controlled and with the highest insulin dose at baseline.

A Systematic Review of Patients' Perspectives on the Subcutaneous Route of Medication Administration

BACKGROUND

Subcutaneous injections allow for self-administration, but consideration of patients' perspectives on treatment choice is important to ensure adherence. Previous systematic reviews have been limited in their scope for assessing preferences in relation to other routes of administration.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to examine patients' perspectives on subcutaneously administered self-injectable medications when compared with other routes or methods of administration for the same medicines.

METHODS

Nine electronic databases were searched for publications since 2000 using terms pertaining to methods of administration, choice behavior, and adverse effects. Eligibility for inclusion was determined through reference to specific criteria by two independent reviewers. Results were described narratively.

RESULTS

Of the 1726 papers screened, 85 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were focused mainly on methods of insulin administration for diabetes but also included treatments for pediatric growth disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV, and migraine. Pen devices and autoinjectors were favored over administration with needle and syringe, particularly with respect to ergonomics, convenience, and portability. Inhalation appeared to be more acceptable than subcutaneous injection (in the case of insulin), but how subcutaneous infusion, intramuscular injection, and needle-free injection devices compare with subcutaneous injections in terms of patient preference is less certain.

CONCLUSIONS

The review identified a number of studies showing the importance of the methods and routes of drug delivery on patient choice. However, studies were prone to bias, and further robust evidence based on methodologically sound approaches is required to demonstrate how patient choice might translate to improved adherence.

Multicentre randomized controlled trial with sensor-augmented pump vs multiple daily injections in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes in China: Time to reach target glucose

AIM

Sensor-augmented pump (SAP) technology, which combines continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), has been available for several years in China. In this study, the time required to reach predefined glycaemic targets with SAP vs multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy was compared in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Adults (aged 18-65 years) with T2DM treated with insulin and admitted to hospital for glucose management were randomized to either SAP (Medtronic MiniMed™ Paradigm™ 722 system) or MDI with blinded CGM (Medtronic MiniMed CGMS System Gold™) for a 2-week period. Glycaemic targets were defined as three preprandial measurements between 80 and 130mg/dL (4.4 and 7.2mmol/L) and three 2-h postprandial measurements between 80 and 180mg/dL (4.4 and 10.0mmol/L) within the same day.

RESULTS

When data from 81 patients (40 SAP, 41 MDI) were analysed, 21 patients using SAP therapy, compared with six using MDI therapy, achieved their glycaemic targets within 3 days, and their time to reach their glucose targets was significantly shorter (3.7±1.1 vs 6.3±3.1 days for MDI; P<0.001), while three MDI patients failed to reach glycaemic targets within 14 days. SAP vs MDI patients experienced significantly less hypoglycaemia [sensor glucose<50mg/dL (2.8mmol/L): 0.04% vs 0.32%, respectively; P<0.05] and significantly less hyperglycaemia [sensor glucose>180mg/dL (10mmol/L): 21.56% vs 35.03%, respectively; P<0.05].

CONCLUSION

SAP vs MDI therapy in hospitalized patients with T2DM significantly reduced the time required to achieve glycaemic targets, and such systems may be a cost-effective way to improve glucose control and reduce hospital stays in T2DM patients.

Understanding the impact of hypoglycemia on the cardiovascular system

INTRODUCTION

Hypoglycemia occurs commonly in insulin requiring individuals with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

AREAS COVERED

This article will review recent information on the pro-inflammatory and pro-atherothrombotic effects of hypoglycemia. Additionally, effects of hypoglycemia on arrhythmogenic potential and arterial endothelial dysfunction will be discussed. Effects of hypoglycemia on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from large clinical studies in Type 1 and Type 2 DM will also be reviewed.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

The relative and absolute risk of severe hypoglycemia leading to death and serious adverse events in both cardiovascular and other organ systems has been highlighted following the publication of recent large clinical trials focused on glucose control and outcomes. It would be helpful if future studies could develop broader end points to include minor and moderate hypoglycemia as well as more robust methods for capturing hypoglycemia contemporaneously with adverse events. In addition, perhaps consideration of including hypoglycemia as a primary outcome, may help identify the possible cause and effect of hypoglycemia on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

The role of insulin pump therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Many patients with type 2 diabetes fail to achieve adequate glucose control despite escalation of treatment and combinations of multiple therapies including insulin. Patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes often suffer from the combination of severe insulin deficiency in addition to insulin resistance, thereby requiring high doses of insulin delivered in multiple injections to attain adequate glycemic control. Insulin-pump therapy was first introduced in the 1970s as an approach to mimic physiological insulin delivery and attain normal glucose in patients with type 1 diabetes. The recent years have seen an increase in the use of this technology for patients with type 2 diabetes. This article summarizes the clinical studies evaluating insulin pump use in patients with type 2 diabetes and discusses the benefits and shortcomings of pump therapy in this population. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients Reveals a Potential Risk of Hypoglycemia in Older Men

Objectives. We performed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to define the features of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) before and after Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis. Newly diagnosed T2D patients (106) were admitted from eight centers in China. They were divided into a younger patient group (<60 years) and an older patient group (≥60 years). Each group was further divided into male and female patients. CSII therapy was maintained for 3 weeks after the glycemic target was reached. CGM was performed 2 times before and after completion of insulin treatment. Results. CGM data showed the expected significant improvement of mean amplitude glycemic excursion (MAGE) with CSII therapy. The older patients had lower hourly glucose concentrations from 0200 to 0700 o'clock compared to the younger patients at baseline. Surprisingly, in the older patient group, the male patients had a potential risk of hypoglycemia after CSII therapy, especially during periods from 2300 to 2400 and 0400 to 0600. Conclusions. Our data suggested that older male patients with newly diagnosed T2D may have lower nocturnal glucose concentrations. This may potentially increase the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia during CSII therapy. This study was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number CliCTR-TRC-11001218.

Clinical Outcomes After 1 Year of Augmented Insulin Pump Therapy in Patients with Diabetes in a Specialized Diabetes Center in Medellín, Colombia

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes can be difficult to control. Augmented pump therapy (CSII-rtCGM) has become an important tool for controlling blood glucose and decreasing hypoglycemia.

METHODS

Describe the results 1 year after starting CSII-rtCGM in patients with diabetes in Medellín, Colombia. This is an observational, retrospective study. Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes started on CSII-rtCGM between January 2008 and June 2015 were included. Qualitative variables were analyzed as absolute or relative frequencies. Quantitative variables were obtained through central tendency and dispersion according to the normal distribution of the analyzed variable using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. SPSS 19 from IBM was used.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven patients were identified, of those 183 were included. The starting HbA1C was 8.7% ± 1.7% and 7.4% ± 0.8% (P < 0.05) 1 year later. 16.5% of patients had been admitted to the hospital before starting CSII-rtCGM, after 1 year the admission rate was 6.0% (P < 0.05). The incidence of severe hypoglycemia at the beginning was 32%, 1 year later it was 7.1%.

CONCLUSION

CSII-rtCGM therapy improves glucose control and decreases severe hypoglycemic events and hospital admission rate.

Do We Need Updated Guidelines on the Use of Insulin Pump Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes? A Review of National and International Practice Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is used less for type 2 than for type 1 diabetes because of inconsistencies in evidence of effectiveness. We reviewed published guidelines on intensive insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes to assess whether updating of guidance is needed with respect to evidence used and recommendations for CSII in diabetes management.

METHODS

A literature review was performed to identify published national and international guidelines on type 2 diabetes management. Searches were performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, and websites of national health care agencies, reimbursement agencies, and professional associations. Searches were limited to articles published in English between 2004 and 2014 and 1666 unique hits were identified, of which 22 were reviewed following screening.

RESULTS

Only 6 of the 22 guidelines identified from North and South America, Western Europe, Greece, and Israel provided specific recommendations on intensive insulin therapy and the role of CSII, and only 1 provided information on the grade of evidence supporting recommendations. Quality appraisal based on the AGREE II tool suggested that published guidelines may have limitations in terms of search methodology and evidence grading, and findings were of mixed rigor and clarity. Only 3 guidelines described the population for whom CSII may be appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS

Guidelines need to improve the evidence base, rigor, clarity, and grading of evidence associated with recommendations on intensive insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes. Future updates may benefit from considering recent evidence on the efficacy of CSII in poorly controlled patients on MDI.