Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery in Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Open-source automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are used by many patients with type 1 diabetes. Data are needed on the efficacy and safety of an open-source AID system.

METHODS

In this multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, we assigned patients with type 1 diabetes in a 1:1 ratio to use an open-source AID system or a sensor-augmented insulin pump (control). The patients included both children (defined as 7 to 15 years of age) and adults (defined as 16 to 70 years of age). The AID system was a modified version of AndroidAPS 2.8 (with a standard OpenAPS 0.7.0 algorithm) paired with a preproduction DANA-i insulin pump and Dexcom G6 CGM, which has an Android smartphone application as the user interface. The primary outcome was the percentage of time in the target glucose range of 70 to 180 mg per deciliter (3.9 to 10.0 mmol per liter) between days 155 and 168 (the final 2 weeks of the trial).

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients (48 children and 49 adults) underwent randomization (44 to open-source AID and 53 to the control group). At 24 weeks, the mean (±SD) time in the target range increased from 61.2±12.3% to 71.2±12.1% in the AID group and decreased from 57.7±14.3% to 54.5±16.0% in the control group (adjusted difference, 14 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 9.2 to 18.8; P<0.001), with no treatment effect according to age (P = 0.56). Patients in the AID group spent 3 hours 21 minutes more in the target range per day than those in the control group. No severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis occurred in either group. Two patients in the AID group withdrew from the trial owing to connectivity issues.

CONCLUSIONS

In children and adults with type 1 diabetes, the use of an open-source AID system resulted in a significantly higher percentage of time in the target glucose range than the use of a sensor-augmented insulin pump at 24 weeks. (Supported by the Health Research Council of New Zealand; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12620000034932.).

Exploring parental perspectives after commencement of flash glucose monitoring for type 1 diabetes in adolescents and young adults not meeting glycaemic targets: a qualitative study

AIMS

To explore parental perspectives after flash glucose monitoring commencement in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes who were not meeting glycaemic targets.

METHODS

Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted among parents of adolescents and young adults between the ages of 14 and 20 years (inclusive) with type 1 diabetes and not meeting glycaemic targets [HbA_1c 81-130 mmol/mol (9.6-14.0%)] participating in a randomized controlled trial. Interviews were transcribed, then thematic analysis was performed to identify themes regarding parental experiences.

RESULTS

Four key themes were found: flash glucose monitoring improved parental emotional well-being; flash glucose monitoring reduced diabetes-specific conflict within families; flash glucose monitoring facilitated the parental role in diabetes management; and sensor-related challenges, particularly sensors falling off, interfered with using flash glucose monitoring for diabetes management. The cost of self-funded sensors was the only barrier to continuing flash glucose monitoring that parents reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides new insights into the potential benefits and challenges of flash glucose monitoring use, drawn from the perspective of parents of adolescents and young adults not meeting glycaemic targets. As parents are often key partners in obtaining or purchasing this technology, these findings can be used to further inform parental expectations of this technology.

Extended Use of an Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery System in Children and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The 24-Week Continuation Phase Following the CREATE Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: To assess long-term efficacy and safety of open-source automated insulin delivery (AID) in children and adults (7-70 years) with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Both arms of a 24-week randomized controlled trial comparing open-source AID (OpenAPS algorithm within a modified version of AndroidAPS, preproduction DANA-i™ insulin pump, Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor) with sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAPT), entered a 24-week continuation phase where the SAPT arm (termed SAPT-AID) crossed over to join the open-source AID arm (termed AID-AID). Most participants (69/94) used a preproduction YpsoPump^® insulin pump during the continuation phase. Analyses incorporated all 52 weeks of data, and combined between-group and within-subject differences to calculate an overall "treatment effect" of AID versus SAPT. Results: Mean time in range (TIR; 3.9-10 mmol/L [70-180 mg/dL]) was 12.2% higher with AID than SAPT (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.4 to 14.1; P < 0.001). TIR was 56.9% (95% CI 54.2 to 59.6) with SAPT and 69.1% (95% CI 67.1 to 71.1) with AID. The treatment effect did not differ by age (P = 0.39) or insulin pump type (P = 0.37). HbA1c was 5.1 mmol/mol lower [0.5%] with AID (95% CI -6.6 to -3.6; P < 0.001). There were no episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia with either treatment over the 48 weeks. Six participants (all in SAPT-AID) withdrew: three with hardware issues, two preferred SAPT, and one with infusion-site skin irritation. Conclusion: Further evaluation of the community derived automated insulin delivery (CREATE) trial to 48 weeks confirms that open-source AID is efficacious and safe with different insulin pumps, and demonstrates sustained glycemic improvements without additional safety concerns.

Protocol for a prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open-label randomized controlled trial comparing standard care with Closed lOoP In chiLdren and yOuth with Type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control: the CO-PILOT trial

Purpose

Advanced hybrid closed loop (AHCL) systems have the potential to improve glycemia and reduce burden for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Children and youth, who are at particular risk for out-of-target glycemia, may have the most to gain from AHCL. However, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) specifically targeting this age group with very high HbA1c has previously been attempted. Therefore, the CO-PILOT trial (Closed lOoP In chiLdren and yOuth with Type 1 diabetes and high-risk glycemic control) aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AHCL in this group.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open-label RCT, comparing MiniMed™ 780G AHCL to standard care (multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion). Eighty participants aged 7-25 years with T1D, a current HbA1c ≥ 8.5% (69 mmol/mol), and naïve to automated insulin delivery will be randomly allocated to AHCL or control (standard care) for 13 weeks. The primary outcome is change in HbA1c between baseline and 13 weeks. Secondary outcomes include standard continuous glucose monitor glycemic metrics, psychosocial factors, sleep, platform performance, safety, and user experience. This RCT will be followed by a continuation phase where the control arm crosses over to AHCL and all participants use AHCL for a further 39 weeks to assess longer term outcomes.

Conclusion

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of AHCL in this population and has the potential to demonstrate that AHCL is the gold standard for children and youth with T1D experiencing out-of-target glucose control and considerable diabetes burden.

Trial registration

This trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 14 November 2022 (ACTRN12622001454763) and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (Universal Trial Number U1111-1284-8452).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01397-4.