Severe Hypoglycemia: Is It Still a Threat for Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes?

Perceptions Related to Death in Adolescents and Their Parents During the Management of Type 1 Diabetes: A Thematic Analysis

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with an increased risk of premature death compared to those without T1D, yet perceptions of dying have not been well studied. The purpose of this secondary analysis of existing data was to explore the fears of adolescents with T1D and their parents related to the possibility of death due to T1D.

METHOD

A reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine data from interviews conducted with adolescents with T1D and their parents who participated in a primary grounded theory study of interdependence in T1D management.

FINDINGS

Three themes were generated from the data including: (1) Facing the Reality of Death, (2) Fearing Highs and Lows, and (3) Finding a Way through Fears. Participants indicated they see death as a consequence of failing to optimally manage T1D.

CONCLUSION

Additional investigation is needed to explore the fear of death in adolescents with T1D and any fear their parents may have of their adolescents' mortality.

Living with and managing type 1 diabetes in humanitarian settings: A qualitative synthesis of lived experience and stakeholder tacit knowledge

Humanitarian health actors are beginning to better consider and manage non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, in emergency and protracted crisis settings. However, a focus on the more globally prevalent type 2 diabetes (T2D) dominates. Blind spots prevail in the unmet needs for type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune condition where individuals are unable to produce insulin, thereby dependent on lifelong insulin therapy and blood glucose management. Although some T1D management requirements overlap with those of T2D, the immediate risk of fatal complications following insulin therapy disruption, the earlier age of onset during childhood, adolescence or young adulthood, and its lower prevalence compared to T2D within communities and local health systems mean that T1D requires nuanced consideration and targeted interventions. Intending to inform program and policy design for people with T1D (PWT1D), we synthesized themes of lived experience from PLWT1D and their caregivers, and the tacit working knowledge of health providers and policymakers in the context of local humanitarian operations. Through a strategic search of health databases (up to July 2023), we identified 11 articles that include interview excerpts from PWT1D, caregivers, healthcare providers and policymakers about T1D management in humanitarian settings. We used reflexive thematic analysis to guide data extraction, coding, and synthesis, resulting in the identification of four overarching themes: food and insulin security, family relations, knowledge translation, and response to diagnosis. The narratives highlight harsh trade-offs made by PWT1D and their families in the face of insulin and food insecurity, as well as the damaging impact of low T1D education in families, communities and health systems. Targeted family and community-based solutions are urgently required, alongside systemic reforms and international collaboration to enable better T1D coping and management in humanitarian settings.

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

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

A comparison of the usage of an open-source automated insulin delivery system and the MiniMed™ 780 G system in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in real-world settings: the AWeSoMe study group

PURPOSE

In recent years there has been a noticeable increase in the use of advanced hybrid closed-loop systems (AHCLs) for managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) among youth. However, there is a lack of comparison between the open-source automated insulin delivery (AID) system and the MiniMed™ 780 G system (780 G).

METHODS

In this multi-center study, we retrospectively compared selected glycemic ranges of 26 individuals who used open-source AID and 20 individuals who used 780 G (age 11.3 years [IQR 9.3, 12.9] and 13.4 years [IQR 10.9, 16.5], respectively, p = 0.069) from system initiation to the most recent visit.

RESULTS

At baseline, the median HbA1c was significantly lower and the time below range (TBR)<54mg/dL was significantly higher in the open-source AID group compared to the 780 G group (6.8% [IQR 6.4, 7.1] vs. 7.4% [IQR 6.9, 8.6], p = 0.006 and (1.0% [IQR 0.5, 2.8] vs. 0.0% [0.0, 1.0], p = 0.014), respectively; the median time in range (TIR70-180mg/dL) was similar (p = 0.068). After a median duration of 10.9 months on AHCLs the reduction of HbA1c was similar ( ~ 0.3%). The time spent in the hypoglycemic ranges was longer among users of the open-source AID compared to 780 G (TBR54-70mg/dL 4.2% [IQR 2.6, 7.3] vs. 2.0% [1.0, 4.0], p = 0.005) and TBR<54mg/dL 1.1% [IQR 0.4, 2.3] vs. 0.0 [0.0, 1.0], p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both AHCLs similarly improved HbA1c and TIR70-180mg/dL. The open-source AID youth had better glycemic control but spent longer time in the hypoglycemic range. These findings must be considered when choosing the use of AHCL technologies.

A Multicenter Prospective Evaluation of the Benefits of Two Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop Systems in Glucose Control and Patient-Reported Outcomes in a Real-world Setting

OBJECTIVE

Advanced hybrid closed-loop systems (AHCL) have been shown to improve glycemic control and patient-reported outcomes in type 1 diabetes. The aim was to analyze the outcomes of two commercially available AHCL in real life.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A prospective study was performed, including adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes, AHCL naïve, from 14 centers, who initiated the use of MM780G with SmartGuard or Tandem t:slimX2 with Control-IQ. Baseline and 3-month evaluations were performed, assessing HbA1c, time in different glycemic ranges, and patient-reported outcomes. The primary outcome was the between-group time in range 70-180 mg/dL difference from beginning to end of follow-up.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty participants were included, with 75 initiating each system (age: 39.9 ± 11.4 years [16-72]; 64% female; diabetes duration: 21.6 ± 11.9 years). Time in range increased from 61.53 ± 14.01% to 76.17 ± 9.48% (P < 0.001), with no between-group differences (P = 0.591). HbA1c decreased by 0.56% (95% CI 0.44%, 0.68%) (6 mmol/mol, 95% CI 5, 7) (P < 0.001), from 7.43 ± 1.07% to 6.88 ± 0.60% (58 ± 12 to 52 ± 7 mmol/mol) in the MM780G group, and from 7.14 ± 0.70% to 6.56 ± 0.53% (55 ± 8 to 48 ± 6 mmol/mol) in the Control-IQ group (both P < 0.001 to baseline, P = 0.819 between groups). No superiority of one AHCL over the other regarding fear of hypoglycemia or quality of life was found. Improvement in diabetes-related distress was higher in Control-IQ users (P = 0.012). Sleep quality was improved (PSQI: from 6.94 ± 4.06 to 6.06 ± 4.05, P = 0.004), without differences between systems. Experience with AHCL, evaluated by the INSPIRE measures, exceeded the expectations.

CONCLUSIONS

The two AHCL provide significant improvement in glucose control and satisfaction, with no superiority of one AHCL over the other.

Frequency and Predictive Factors of Hypoglycemia in Patients Treated With rhIGF-1: Data From the Eu-IGFD Registry

CONTEXT

The European Increlex® Growth Forum Database (Eu-IGFD) is an ongoing surveillance registry (NCT00903110) established to collect long-term safety and effectiveness data on the use of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1, mecasermin, Increlex) for the treatment of children/adolescents with severe primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency (SPIGFD).

OBJECTIVE

This analysis of Eu-IGFD data aimed to identify the frequency and predictive factors for hypoglycemia adverse events (AEs) in children treated with rhIGF-1.

METHODS

Data were collected from December 2008 to May 2021. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictive risk factors for treatment-induced hypoglycemia AEs. Odds ratios (ORs) are presented with 95% CIs for each factor.

RESULTS

In total, 306 patients were enrolled in the registry; 84.6% were diagnosed with SPIGFD. Patients who experienced ≥ 1 hypoglycemia AE (n = 80) compared with those with no hypoglycemia AEs (n = 224) had a lower mean age at treatment start (8.7 years vs 9.8 years), a more frequent diagnosis of Laron syndrome (27.5% vs 10.3%), and a history of hypoglycemia (18.8% vs 4.5%). Prior history of hypoglycemia (OR 0.25; 95% CI: [0.11; 0.61]; P = .002) and Laron syndrome diagnosis (OR 0.36; 95% CI: [0.18; 0.72]; P = .004) predicted future hypoglycemia AEs. Total hypoglycemia AEs per patient per treatment year was 0.11 and total serious hypoglycemia AEs per patient per treatment year was 0.01.

CONCLUSION

Hypoglycemia occurs more frequently in patients with prior history of hypoglycemia and/or Laron syndrome compared with patients without these risk factors, and these patients should be carefully monitored for this AE throughout treatment.

The Role of Ultra-Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs in Diabetes: An Expert Consensus

Ultra-rapid-acting insulin analogs (URAA) are a further development and refinement of rapid-acting insulin analogs. Because of their adapted formulation, URAA provide an even faster pharmacokinetics and thus an accelerated onset of insulin action than conventional rapid-acting insulin analogs, allowing for a more physiologic delivery of exogenously applied insulin. Clinical trials have confirmed the superiority of URAA in controlling postprandial glucose excursions, with a safety profile that is comparable to the rapid-acting insulins. Consequently, many individuals with diabetes mellitus may benefit from URAA in terms of prandial glycemic control. Unfortunately, there are only few available recommendations from authoritative sources for use of URAA in clinical practice. Therefore, this expert consensus report aims to define populations of people with diabetes mellitus for whom URAA may be beneficial and to provide health care professionals with concrete, practical recommendations on how best to use URAA in this context.

Long-Term Benefits of an Integrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Pump System for Emergency Admissions, Hospitalization, and Metabolic Control in a Cohort of People With Diabetes: Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There is evidence in the literature that the use of sensor-augmented insulin pumps in patients with high-complexity diabetes improves metabolic control. However, there is no long-term information on clinical outcomes such as hospitalization or admission to the emergency room. This study describes outcomes for metabolic control, incidence of hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in a specific population using this technology.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess long-term glycemic and clinical outcomes after the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring in people with diabetes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was carried out in patients with diabetes previously treated with an intensive insulin regimen at a specialized diabetes treatment center who required a sensor-augmented insulin pump due to nonoptimal glycemic control. Glycated hemoglobin, severe hypoglycemic episodes, nonsevere hypoglycemic episodes, perception of hypoglycemia, and the incidence of emergency room visits and hospitalizations before and after treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

Between January 2013 and August 2020, 74 patients with a median age of 36 (IQR 27-46) years were included in the study with a median 4 (IQR 2-7) years of follow-up. We found a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (8.35% vs 7%; P<.001), nonsevere hypoglycemic episodes (71/74, 96% vs 62/74, 84%; P=.01), emergency room visits (42/73, 58% vs 4/62, 6%; P<.001), and hospitalizations (36/72, 50% vs 10/72, 14%; P<.001) after use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a sensor-augmented insulin pump associated with a strict follow-up program for patients with high-complexity diabetes led to a significant and sustained reduction in glycated hemoglobin and hypoglycemic episodes, as well as in the rate of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. These results encourage the adoption of this technology in patients who do not achieve metabolic control with optimal management of diabetes.

Pediatric COVID-19 and Diabetes: An Investigation into the Intersection of Two Pandemics

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a complex infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and it currently represents a worldwide public health emergency. The pediatric population is less prone to develop severe COVID-19 infection, but children presenting underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, are thought to be at increased risk of developing more severe forms of COVID-19. Diabetic children face new challenges when infected with SARS-CoV-2. On one hand, the glycemic values become substantially more difficult to manage as COVID-19 is a predisposing factor for hyperglycemia. On the other hand, alongside other risk factors, high glycemic values are incriminated in modulating immune and inflammatory responses, leading to potentially severe COVID-19 cases in the pediatric population. Also, there are hypotheses of SARS-CoV-2 being diabetogenic itself, but this information is still to be confirmed. Furthermore, it is reported that there was a noticeable increase in the number of cases of new-onset type 2 diabetes among the pediatric population, and the complications in these patients with COVID-19 include the risk of developing autoimmune diseases under the influence of stress. Additionally, children with diabetes mellitus are confronted with lifestyle changes dictated by the pandemic, which can potentially lead to the onset or exacerbation of a potential underlying anxiety disorder or depression. Since the literature contains a series of unknowns related to the impact of COVID-19 in both types of diabetes in children, the purpose of our work is to bring together the data obtained so far and to identify potential knowledge gaps and areas for future investigation regarding COVID-19 and the onset of diabetes type 1 or type 2 among the pediatric population.

Real-World Evidence Analysis of a Hybrid Closed-Loop System

BACKGROUND

We analyzed real-world evidence to assess the performance of the mylife CamAPS FX hybrid closed-loop system.

METHODS

Users from 15 countries across different age groups who used the system between May 9, 2022, and December 3, 2022, and who had ≥30 days of continuous glucose monitor data, and ≥30% of closed-loop usage were included in the current analysis (N = 1805).

RESULTS

Time in range (3.9-10 mmol/L) was 72.6 ± 11.5% (mean ± SD) for all users and increased by age from 66.9 ± 11.7% for users ≤6 years old to 81.8 ± 8.7% for users ≥65 years. Time spent in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L) was 2.3% [1.3, 3.6] (median [interquartile range]). Mean glucose and glucose management indicator were 8.4 ± 1.1 mmol/L and 6.9%, respectively. Time using closed-loop was high at 94.7% [90.0, 96.9].

CONCLUSIONS

Glycemic outcomes from the present real-world evidence are comparable to results obtained from previous randomized controlled studies and confirm the efficacy of this hybrid closed-loop system in real-world settings.

Time spent in hypoglycemia according to age and time-of-day: Observations during closed-loop insulin delivery

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess whether percentage of time spent in hypoglycemia during closed-loop insulin delivery differs by age-group and time-of-day.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from hybrid closed-loop studies involving young children (2-7 years), children and adolescents (8-18 years), adults (19-59 years), and older adults (≥60 years) with type 1 diabetes. Main outcome was time spent in hypoglycemia <3.9mmol/l. Eight weeks of data for 88 participants were analyzed.

RESULTS

Median time spent in hypoglycemia over the 24-hour period was highest in children and adolescents (4.4%; [IQR 2.4-5.0]) and very young children (4.0% [3.4-5.2]), followed by adults (2.7% [1.7-4.0]), and older adults (1.8% [1.2-2.2]); p<0.001 for difference between age-groups. Time spent in hypoglycemia during nighttime (midnight-05:59) was lower than during daytime (06:00-23:59) across all age-groups.

CONCLUSION

Time in hypoglycemia was highest in the pediatric age-group during closed-loop insulin delivery. Hypoglycemia burden was lowest overnight across all age-groups.

Physical Activity Management for Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: Supporting Active and Inactive Children

Regular physical activity and exercise are important for youth and essential components of a healthy lifestyle. For youth with type 1 diabetes, regular physical activity can promote cardiovascular fitness, bone health, insulin sensitivity, and glucose management. However, the number of youth with type 1 diabetes who regularly meet minimum physical activity guidelines is low, and many encounter barriers to regular physical activity. Additionally, some health care professionals (HCPs) may be unsure how to approach the topic of exercise with youth and families in a busy clinic setting. This article provides an overview of current physical activity research in youth with type 1 diabetes, a basic description of exercise physiology in type 1 diabetes, and practical strategies for HCPs to conduct effective and individualized exercise consultations for youth with type 1 diabetes.

Dose Rationale of Nasal Glucagon in Japanese Pediatric Patients with Diabetes Using Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling and Simulation

BACKGROUND

Nasal glucagon (NG) 3 mg is approved in Japan to treat hypoglycemia in pediatric patients with diabetes, but an NG clinical study has not been performed in Japanese children because of practical and ethical concerns.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to support the dose rationale for NG 3 mg in Japanese pediatric patients with diabetes using modeling and simulation.

METHODS

We used a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic bridging approach to extrapolate the available clinical data to Japanese pediatric patients. Population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling was performed using data from seven clinical studies, including five studies in non-Japanese adults, one study in Japanese adults, and one study in non-Japanese pediatric patients. Simulation was then used to estimate glucagon exposure and glucose response after NG 3-mg administration for three age categories of Japanese pediatric patients: 4 to < 8, 8 to < 12, and 12 to < 18 years. Treatment success was defined as an increase in blood glucose to ≥ 70 or ≥ 20 mg/dL from nadir within 30 min after administration of NG 3 mg. Safety was assessed in relation to the predicted maximum glucagon concentration of NG 3 mg using NG clinical trial data and published data on intravenous and intramuscular glucagon.

RESULTS

The data showed a rapid and robust glucose response following NG 3 mg in Japanese and non-Japanese adults and non-Japanese pediatric patients, with some differences in glucagon exposure observed across studies. The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model described the observed clinical data well, and simulations indicated that > 99% of hypoglycemic Japanese pediatric patients in all three age groups would achieve treatment success. Predicted glucose responses to NG 3 mg in Japanese pediatric patients were comparable to those of intramuscular glucagon. Maximum concentration was not associated with the occurrence and severity of common adverse events (nausea, vomiting, and headache) in NG clinical studies. Furthermore, the predicted maximum concentration in Japanese pediatric patients, despite being higher than the observed maximum concentration in NG clinical studies, was substantially lower than the observed maximum concentration of 1 mg of intravenous glucagon, without serious safety issues.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis suggests NG 3 mg has robust efficacy without serious safety concerns in Japanese pediatric patients with diabetes.

Prevention of hypoglycemia by intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring device combined with structured education in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, crossover trial

AIMS

We conducted a randomized, crossover trial to compare intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) device with structured education (Intervention) to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (Control) in the reduction of time below range.

METHODS

This crossover trial involved 104 adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injections. Participants were randomly allocated to either sequence Intervention/Control or sequence Control/Intervention. During the Intervention period which lasted 84 days, participants used the first-generation FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA) and received structured education on how to prevent hypoglycemia based on the trend arrow and by frequent sensor scanning (≥10 times a day). Confirmatory SMBG was conducted before dosing insulin. The Control period lasted 84 days. The primary endpoint was the decrease in the time below range (TBR; <70 mg/dL).

RESULTS

The time below range was significantly reduced in the Intervention arm compared to the Control arm (2.42 ± 1.68 h/day [10.1 %±7.0 %] vs 3.10 ± 2.28 h/day [12.9 %±9.5 %], P = 0.012). The ratio of high-risk participants with low blood glucose index >5 was significantly reduced (8.6 % vs 23.7 %, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of isCGM combined with structured education significantly reduced the time below range in patients with T1DM.

Related factors associated with fear of hypoglycemia in parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes - A systematic review

PROBLEM

Fear of hypoglycemia is a significant concern for parents of children/ adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Although some studies have explained the parental fear of hypoglycemia, the related factors were yet to be determined. This systematic review aims to identify the related factors of fear of hypoglycemia in the parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and provide a theoretical basis for further intervention.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched from 2010 to 2021. Studies evaluating the fear of hypoglycemia of parents and its associated factors were included.

SAMPLE

Twenty-three observational articles met the criteria.

RESULTS

Significant associations were found between fear of hypoglycemia and specific factors, including motherhood, nocturnal hypoglycemia, and the number of blood glucose monitoring. Psychological factors, including anxiety, depression, pediatric parenting stress, mindfulness, self-efficacy, quality of life, and sleep disorders, were conclusive and associations with parental fear of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding parental fear of hypoglycemia can help parents prevent potential problems in diabetes management, thus promoting children's growth. According to current evidence, effective targeted interventions based on modifiable relevant factors can be developed to reduce the fear of hypoglycemia in parents while maintaining optimal blood glucose control in children/ adolescents.

IMPLICATIONS

Health professionals should pay more attention to the mental health of parents, and parents should be involved in the care plan and have the opportunity to discuss their fear of hypoglycemia in the most appropriate way to manage type 1 diabetes.

A Pilot randomized trial to examine effects of a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system on neurodevelopmental and cognitive outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive and neuropsychological function and alterations in brain structure and function in children. This proof-of-concept pilot study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03428932) examined whether MRI-derived indices of brain development and function and standardized IQ scores in adolescents with T1D could be improved with better diabetes control using a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system. Eligibility criteria for participation in the study included age between 14 and 17 years and a diagnosis of T1D before 8 years of age. Randomization to either a hybrid closed-loop or standard diabetes care group was performed after pre-qualification, consent, enrollment, and collection of medical background information. Of 46 participants assessed for eligibility, 44 met criteria and were randomized. Two randomized participants failed to complete baseline assessments and were excluded from final analyses. Participant data were collected across five academic medical centers in the United States. Research staff scoring the cognitive assessments as well as those processing imaging data were blinded to group status though participants and their families were not. Forty-two adolescents, 21 per group, underwent cognitive assessment and multi-modal brain imaging before and after the six month study duration. HbA1c and sensor glucose downloads were obtained quarterly. Primary outcomes included metrics of gray matter (total and regional volumes, cortical surface area and thickness), white matter volume, and fractional anisotropy. Estimated power to detect the predicted treatment effect was 0.83 with two-tailed, α = 0.05. Adolescents in the hybrid closed-loop group showed significantly greater improvement in several primary outcomes indicative of neurotypical development during adolescence compared to the standard care group including cortical surface area, regional gray volumes, and fractional anisotropy. The two groups were not significantly different on total gray and white matter volumes or cortical thickness. The hybrid closed loop group also showed higher Perceptual Reasoning Index IQ scores and functional brain activity more indicative of neurotypical development relative to the standard care group (both secondary outcomes). No adverse effects associated with study participation were observed. These results suggest that alterations to the developing brain in T1D might be preventable or reversible with rigorous glucose control. Long term research in this area is needed.

Comparison of the clinical effects of intermittently scanned and real-time continuous glucose monitoring in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A retrospective cohort study

AIMS

/Introduction The aim of the study was to compare two continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) and real-time CGM (rtCGM), to determine which system achieved better glycemic control in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and compared the time in range (TIR) (70-180 mg/dL), time below range (TBR) (< 70 mg/dL), and time above range (TAR) (> 180 mg/dL), and estimated HbA1c (eA1c) levels between patients on isCGM and rtCGM.

RESULTS

Of the 112 participants, 76 (67.9%) used isCGM and 36 (32.1%) used rtCGM for glycemic management. Patients on rtCGM had significantly greater TIR (57.7% ± 12.3% vs. 52.3% ± 12.3%, P = 0.0368), and had significantly lower TBR (4.3% ± 2.7% vs. 10.2% ± 5.4%, P < 0.001) than those on isCGM but there was no significant difference in the TAR (37.4% ± 12.9% vs. 38.0% ± 12.5%, P = 0.881) or the eA1c levels (7.4% ± 0.9% vs. 7.5% ± 0.8%, P = 0.734) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes on rtCGM also showed more beneficial effects for increase of TIR with notably reduction of TBR than those on isCGM. Real-time CGM may provide better glycemic control than isCGM in children with type 1 diabetes.

Characterising common challenges faced by parental caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in mainland China: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

The mental state of parental caregivers affects outcomes in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to qualitatively examine perception of common challenges among parental caregivers of children with T1DM.

SETTING

Semistructured interviews 45-60 min long were conducted with parental caregivers of children with T1DM. Interview recordings were transcribed and coded in NVivo V.11.0 to observe emergent themes.

PARTICIPANTS

Eligible T1DM caregiving parents (parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s)) were identified from caregivers attending visits with children hospitalised or assessed in the Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Department of Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University in Shenyang from January 2018 to June 2019.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Not applicable.

RESULTS

A total of 20 T1DM caregiving parents were interviewed, aged 30-53 years, including 7 fathers and 13 mothers, with their children whose mean age was 10.6±2.45 years. Content analysis revealed 5 major themes with 13 subthemes, including persistent psychological stress (catastrophic emotions, emotional distress and altered self-efficacy), family function change (altered family life patterns and changes in parental role/function), challenges in daily management (technical challenges, emotional regulation, parent-child conflict and transition of care autonomy from parent to child), financial burden (cost burden of treatment and altered family economics), and lack of social support (social activity limitations and insufficient support system).

CONCLUSIONS

The period of emotional disturbance during initial diagnosis, psychological stresses of long-term caregiving, and conflict emerging from transition from parental to child responsibility all can cause psychological response detrimental to parental caregivers and children with T1DM. This work provides compelling evidence for the role of assessment and intervention in parental caregivers' psychological and emotional well-being in diabetes care, as well as for the necessity of improved social and school support for children with T1DM in China.

Prevalence of nocturnal hypoglycemia in free-living conditions in adults with type 1 diabetes: What is the impact of daily physical activity?

OBJECTIVE

Studies investigating strategies to limit the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia associated with physical activity (PA) are scarce and have been conducted in standardized, controlled conditions in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study sought to investigate the effect of daily PA level on nocturnal glucose management in free-living conditions while taking into consideration reported mitigation strategies to limit the risk of nocturnal hyoglycemia in people with T1D.

METHODS

Data from 25 adults (10 males, 15 females, HbA_1c: 7.6 ± 0.8%), 20-60 years old, living with T1D, were collected. One week of continuous glucose monitoring and PA (assessed using an accelerometer) were collected in free-living conditions. Nocturnal glucose values (midnight-6:00 am) following an active day "ACT" and a less active day "L-ACT" were analyzed to assess the time spent within the different glycemic target zones (<3.9 mmol/L; 3.9 - 10.0 mmol/L and >10.0 mmol/L) between conditions. Self-reported data about mitigation strategies applied to reduce the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Only 44% of participants reported applying a carbohydrate- or insulin-based strategy to limit the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia on ACT day. Nocturnal hypoglycemia occurrences were comparable on ACT night versus on L-ACT night. Additional post-meal carbohydrate intake was higher on evenings following ACT (27.7 ± 15.6 g, ACT vs. 19.5 ± 11.0 g, L-ACT; P=0.045), but was frequently associated with an insulin bolus (70% of participants). Nocturnal hypoglycemia the night following ACT occurred mostly in people who administrated an additional insulin bolus before midnight (3 out of 5 participants with nocturnal hypoglycemia).

CONCLUSIONS

Although people with T1D seem to be aware of the increased risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia associated with PA, the risk associated with additional insulin boluses may not be as clear. Most participants did not report using compensation strategies to reduce the risk of PA related late-onset hypoglycemia which may be because they did not consider habitual PA as something requiring treatment adjustments.

New Fast Acting Glucagon for Recovery from Hypoglycemia, a Life-Threatening Situation: Nasal Powder and Injected Stable Solutions

The goal of diabetes care is to achieve and maintain good glycemic control over time, so as to prevent or delay the development of micro- and macrovascular complications in type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, numerous barriers hinder the achievement of this goal, first of all the frequent episodes of hypoglycemia typical in patients treated with insulin as T1D patients, or sulphonylureas as T2D patients. The prevention strategy and treatment of hypoglycemia are important for the well-being of patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients, due probably to the release of inflammatory markers and prothrombotic effects triggered by hypoglycemia. Treatment of hypoglycemia is traditionally based on administration of carbohydrates or of glucagon via intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous injection (SC). The injection of traditional glucagon is cumbersome, such that glucagon is an under-utilized drug. In 1983, it was shown for the first time that intranasal (IN) glucagon increases blood glucose levels in healthy volunteers, and in 1989-1992 that IN glucagon is similar to IM glucagon in resolving hypoglycemia in normal volunteers and in patients with diabetes, both adults and children. IN glucagon was developed in 2010 and continued in 2015; in 2019 IN glucagon obtained approval in the US, Canada, and Europe for severe hypoglycemia in children and adults. In the 2010s, two ready-to-use injectable formulations, a stable non-aqueous glucagon solution and the glucagon analog dasiglucagon, were developed, showing an efficacy similar to traditional glucagon, and approved in the US in 2020 and in 2021, respectively, for severe hypoglycemia in adults and in children. Fast-acting glucagon (nasal administration and injected solutions) appears to represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in insulin-treated patients with diabetes, both adults and children. It is anticipated that the availability of fast-acting glucagon will expand the use of glucagon, improve overall metabolic control, and prevent hypoglycemia-related complications, in particular cardiovascular complications and cognitive impairment.

Current treatment options and challenges in patients with Type 1 diabetes: Pharmacological, technical advances and future perspectives

Type 1 diabetes mellitus imposes a significant burden of complications and mortality, despite important advances in treatment: subjects affected by this disease have also a worse quality of life-related to disease management. To overcome these challenges, different new approaches have been proposed, such as new insulin formulations or innovative devices. The introduction of insulin pumps allows a more physiological insulin administration with a reduction of HbA1c level and hypoglycemic risk. New continuous glucose monitoring systems with better accuracy have allowed, not only better glucose control, but also the improvement of the quality of life. Integration of these devices with control algorithms brought to the creation of the first artificial pancreas, able to independently gain metabolic control without the risk of hypo- and hyperglycemic crisis. This approach has revolutionized the management of diabetes both in terms of quality of life and glucose control. However, complete independence from exogenous insulin will be obtained only by biological approaches that foresee the replacement of functional beta cells obtained from stem cells: this will be a major challenge but the biggest hope for the subjects with type 1 diabetes. In this review, we will outline the current scenario of innovative diabetes management both from a technological and biological point of view, and we will also forecast some cutting-edge approaches to reduce the challenges that hamper the definitive cure of diabetes.