Clinical characteristics and management of type 1 diabetes in Spain. The SED1 study

Scans per day as predictors of optimal glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus using flash glucose monitoring: what number of scans per day should raise a red flag?

AIMS

This study aimed to determine the minimum frequency of flash glucose monitoring (FGM) scans necessary for optimal glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

Data were collected from 692 patients (47.5% female, with a median age of 47.4 years) who used FGM systems daily and recorded their clinical variables and device data.

RESULTS

Logistic regression models showed that performing more than 12 scans per day was associated with improved T1D control (OR = 4.22, p < 0.001) and a reduction in HbA1c (7.6 vs 7.0%, 60-53 mmol/mol p < 0.001). However, those performing less than 6 scans showed no improvement in HbA1c (7.9 vs 7.8%, 63-61 mmol/mol p = 0.514). Thirteen daily scans were determined as the optimal cutoff point for predicting optimal glycemic control using a maximally selected rank algorithm. Significant reductions were observed in mean glucose (< 0.001), coefficient of variation (< 0.001), HbA1c (< 0.001), and an increase in TIR (< 0.001) in patients who performed more than 12 daily scans.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that a higher frequency of daily scans by T1D patients using FGM systems leads to improved chronic glycemic control. The minimum recommended frequency for optimal control is 13 scans per day, and more than 6 daily scans are needed to improve HbA1c.

Current Perspective on the Potential Benefits of Smart Insulin Pens on Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes: Spanish Delphi Consensus

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality, and glycemic control is key to avoiding complications. Technological innovations have led to the development of new tools to help patients with DM manage their condition.

OBJECTIVE

This consensus assesses the current perspective of physicians on the potential benefits of using smart insulin pens in the glycemic control of patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) in Spain.

METHODS

The Delphi technique was used by 110 physicians who were experts in managing patients with DM1. The questionnaire consisted of 94 questions.

RESULTS

The consensus obtained was 95.74%. The experts recommended using the ambulatory glucose profile report and the different time-in-range (TIR) metrics to assess poor glycemic control. Between 31% and 65% of patients had TIR values less than 70% and were diagnosed based on glycosylated hemoglobin values. They believed that less than 10% of patients needed to remember to administer the basal insulin dose and between 10% and 30% needed to remember the prandial insulin dose.

CONCLUSIONS

The perception of physicians in their usual practice leads them to recommend the use of ambulatory glucose profile and time in range for glycemic control. Forgetting to administer insulin is a very common problem and the actual occurrence rate does not correspond with clinicians' perceptions. Technological improvements and the use of smart insulin pens can increase treatment adherence, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and help improve patients' education and quality of life.

Circulating miRNA expression in long-standing type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease which results in inefficient regulation of glucose homeostasis and can lead to different vascular comorbidities through life. In this study we aimed to analyse the circulating miRNA expression profile of patients with type 1 diabetes, and with no other associated pathology. For this, fasting plasma was obtained from 85 subjects. Next generation sequencing analysis was firstly performed to identify miRNAs that were differentially expressed between groups (20 patients vs. 10 controls). hsa-miR-1-3p, hsa-miR-200b-3p, hsa-miR-9-5p, and hsa-miR-1200 expression was also measured by Taqman RT-PCR to validate the observed changes (34 patients vs. 21 controls). Finally, through a bioinformatic approach, the main pathways affected by the target genes of these miRNAs were studied. Among the studied miRNAs, hsa-miR-1-3p expression was found significantly increased in patients with type 1 diabetes compared to controls, and positively correlated with glycated haemoglobin levels. Additionally, by using a bioinformatic approach, we could observe that changes in hsa-miR-1-3p directly affect genes involved in vascular development and cardiovascular pathologies. Our results suggest that, circulating hsa-miR-1-3p in plasma, together with glycaemic control, could be used as prognostic biomarkers in type 1 diabetes, helping to prevent the development of vascular complications in these patients.

Characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes who use technology in their treatment and who use frequently the technical assistance teleconsultation service

INTRODUCTION

Technical issues related to continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), associated or not with continuous glucose monitoring (SAP), are handled by tele-technical assistance from the manufacturer. We analyze the characteristics of the most demanding patients of technical teleassistance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in treatment with CSII or SAP, who made use of technical teleassistance from 01/01/2017 to 02/28/2021 (2298 consultations) were included. We selected the group of patients who made ≥10 calls (90th percentile, P90) and the one who made a single call (10th percentile, P10). The number and most frequent reasons for consultation, clinical characteristics and HbA_1c were collected and both groups were compared.

RESULTS

51 patients (P90) made a total of 876 calls (38.1% of calls), 32 used SAP. The most frequent reason for consultation was related to continuous glucose monitoring (36.8%). 51 (P10) made 51 calls (2.2%), 3 used SAP. The most frequent reason for consultation was related to device damage (25.5%). The most demanding patients used SAP more frequently (62.7 vs. 5.9%, P < .001), had been in advanced treatment for less time (7.1 ± 5.5 vs. 12.1 ± 6.2 years, P < .001) and their HbA_1c was lower (7.2 ± 0.9 vs 7.6 ± 0.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the calls to the technical teleassistance service for ISCI/SAP devices come from a more demanding group of people with T1D. The greatest demand is concentrated in patients who use SAP, with a shorter time of use of advanced therapy and a better degree of glucose control.

Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: Results from the Spanish National Registry

Aim: To analyze the clinical effect of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) patients in the Spanish real-world scenario. Methods: All T1D patients on CSII registered in the SPAnish Insulin Pump (SPAIP) registry were included. The primary efficacy outcome was change in HbA1c during follow-up. Secondary efficacy outcomes included: insulin pump indications, diabetes complication rates, insulin and pump use, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) glycometrics. Patient data were typed through the web-based SPAIP registry. Results: Data from 2979 T1D patients treated with CSII were analyzed. The median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 34-52 years), and T1D duration was 27 years (IQR 18-35 years). The median duration of CSII therapy was 6 years (IQR 3-10 years). The main indications for treatment were suboptimal glycemic control (33.8%), hypoglycemia (22.1%), and increased glycemic variability (18.8%). Glycated hemoglobin decreased by 6 mmol/mol (95% CI, -5 to -6 mmol/mol, P < 0.001) [-0.5%, 95% CI, -0.4 to -0.5, P < 0.001] during the follow-up. The percentage of patients with severe hypoglycemia decreased from 14.9% to 0.9% (P < 0.001). We observed an inverse correlation between final HbA1c levels and CGM adherence (R = -0.24, P < 0.001) or percentage of time with active hybrid closed-loop functions (R = -0.25, P < 0.001). Conclusions: CSII treatment was associated with a sustained improvement in glycemic control in the Spanish population. This benefit was greater among patients with higher CGM or active hybrid closed-loop functions adherence. The protocol was publicly registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04761094).

Demographic and clinical characteristics of a Spanish population of people living with type 1 diabetes who practice nonprofessional sports: The DIABESPORT survey

AIM

To determine the characteristics of people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) who practice sports, the support they receive, and the way in which they manage their disease during sports.

METHODS

An observational cross-sectional study designed as a web-based survey released through social media was carried out, directed to physically active people with T1D.

RESULTS

A total of 342 subjects completed the survey (16 children; 67.5% males). The duration of living with T1D was 18.6 ± 11.4 years. The mean glycosylated hemoglobin concentration (HbA1c) was 6.7 ± 0.8%, and the mean time in range (TIR) was 72.9 ± 15.8%. Only 27.2% started sports activity following the diagnosis of T1D. The most frequently used basal insulin was insulin degludec (38.6%). The usual treatment modification before doing sports consisted of bolus reduction (42.5%) or only the adjustment of nutritional supplements (19.7%). In cases of long-acting insulin users, the basal dose usually remained unchanged during sports. One-quarter of the participants were insulin pump users, and of these, 12.5% always disconnected the pump during physical activities. Severe hypoglycemia on the day of physical activity was experienced by 5% of the participants in the last 6 months. One-third reported a lack of support from their physician, and 61% had learned to manage glycemic control during sports by themselves.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the adjustments made by people living with T1D during sports practice, and the lack of support received from healthcare professionals.

Metabolic control and treatment regimens in patients with type 1 diabetes in Castilla-La Mancha, 10 years later: The 2020 DIACAM1 study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate degree of metabolic control and treatment regimens in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) enrolled in the DIACAM1 study, after 10 years of follow-up under routine clinical practice conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1,465 patients enrolled in the DIACAM1 study, a multicentre, cross-sectional study conducted in Castilla-La Mancha in 2010, were analysed. Of these patients, 58 (4%) died during the 10-year follow-up period. Anthropometric, clinical, laboratory and treatment data were reviewed for 1,121 (76.5%) patients in active follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were 7.66% lower than in 2010 (p<0.001), 26% of patients achieved HbA1c levels <7%, 24.4% were obese, 51.7% had dyslipidaemia and 33.6% had hypertension. The following were found to be predictive factors for good glycaemic control (HbA1c<7%): good glycaemic control in 2010 (odds ratio [OR] 4.8); the use of intensified insulin regimens, including the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI) guideline and glucose monitoring (OR 2.8); no hyperlipidaemia (OR 1.97); and higher levels of education (OR 1.4). The recommended targets for lipid and blood pressure control were met by 76% of patients; 40% of the patients enrolled required drug treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycaemic control in patients with T1DM in Castilla-La Mancha improved after 10 years of follow-up. The use of intensified insulin regimens and technology applied to diabetes care appear to be determining factors in achieving this improvement. Despite the increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, the majority of the patients achieved good lipid and blood pressure control.

Prevalence of autoimmune diseases in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. DIACAM 1 study 2010-2020

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune diseases (AD) associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Analytical cross-sectional study, nested in a multicenter prospective cohort of 1121 adults with DM1 with active follow-up in endocrinology clinics. Sociodemographic and clinical variables and the presence of AD were analysed in 2010 and 2020.

RESULTS

In this second analysis, 49,5% were male, mean age was 49.4 ± 12.8 years, median T1DM duration was 27,1 years (20,7-35,1) and mean glycated hemoglobin was 7.66 ± 1.06%. There is an absolute increase of 13% (95% CI 11-15) (p < 0.001) of patients with at least one AE and an absolute increase of 11.6% (95% CI 9.7-13.5) (p < 0.0001) of any type of autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) after 10 years of follow-up. Likewise, the prevalence of celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis and other AD increased statistically significantly. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factors that were independently associated with the presence of ATD were female gender [OR 2.9 (95% CI 2.3-3.7); p < 0.0001] and the presence of type 1 b diabetes (OR 0.5 [95% CI 0.3-0.9]; p = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

After 10 years of follow-up, there is a substantial increase in other types of AE in patients with DM1. It seems necessary to carry out a systematic screening of these AD to optimize the follow-up of patients with 1 TDM, mainly of the ATD.

Description of a Cohort of Type 1 Diabetes Patients: Analysis of Comorbidities, Prevalence of Complications and Risk of Hypoglycemia

BACKGROUND

Despite major medical advances, Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) patients still have greater morbimortality than the general population. Our aim was to describe our cohort of T1D patients and identify potential risk factors susceptible to prevention strategies.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, observational study, including T1D patients treated at our center, from 1 March 2017 to 31 March 2020.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

T1D, age > 14 years and signed informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

diabetes other than T1D, age < 14 years and/or refusal to participate.

RESULTS

Study population n = 2181 (49.8% females, median age at enrollment 41 years, median HbA1c 7.7%; 38.24% had at least one comorbidity). Roughly 7.45% had severe hypoglycemia (SH) within the prior year. Macro/microvascular complications were present in 42.09% (5.83% and 41.14%, respectively). The most frequent microvascular complication was diabetic retinopathy (38.02%), and coronary disease (3.21%) was the most frequent macrovascular complication. The risk of complications was higher in males than in females, mainly macrovascular. Patients with SH had a higher risk of complications (OR 1.42; 1.43 in males versus 1.42 in females).

CONCLUSIONS

Our T1D population is similar to other T1D populations. We should minimize the risk of SH, and male patients should perhaps be treated more aggressively regarding cardiovascular risk factors.