The efficacy and safety of insulin pump therapy with predictive low glucose suspend feature in decreasing hypoglycemia in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Insomnia severity among caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes: A mixed method study

AIM

This research was conducted to assess the severity of insomnia experienced by caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes.

METHOD

In this study, a mixed-method descriptive sequential pattern design was employed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In the study, 152 caregivers were surveyed for quantitative data on survey form and insomnia severity. Additionally, 9 mothers underwent semi-structured interviews for qualitative insights.

RESULTS

Of caregivers, 13.8% were identified to experience clinical insomnia. There were statistically significant differences in insomnia severity index scores in terms of experiencing sleep problems after the child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, caregivers having adequate sleep duration at night, how they felt on waking in the morning, difficulty managing their child's diabetes the next day due to lack of sleep, difficulty getting to sleep at night, sleeping more than one hour during the day, lack of sleep due to caring and treatment, lack of sleep due to not meeting the desired targets for blood glucose values and receiving support for type 1 diabetes management due to lack of sleep (p < 0.05). Three themes were identified as a result of qualitative analysis: Sleep status of caregivers, effect of sleep problems on daily life and solving sleep problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers experience insomnia during the process of type 1 diabetes management and this situation affects their daytime care duties.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Research shows caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes often face insomnia, highlighting the need for solutions.

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.

An evidence gap map of interventions for noncommunicable diseases and risk factors among children and adolescents

Substance misuse, obesity, mental health conditions, type 1 diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases together account for 41% of disability-adjusted life years linked to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among children and adolescents worldwide. However, the evidence on risk factors and interventions for this age group is scarce. Here we searched four databases to generate an evidence gap map of existing interventions and research gaps for these risk factors and NCDs. We mapped 159 reviews with 2,611 primary studies; most (96.2%) were conducted in high-income countries, and only 100 studies (3.8%) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The efficacy of therapeutic interventions on biomarkers and adverse events for NCDs appears to be well evidenced. Interventions for mental health conditions appear to be moderately evidenced, while interventions for obesity and substance misuse appear to be moderate to very low evidenced. Priority areas for future research include evaluating digital health platforms to support primary NCD prevention and management, and evaluating the impact of policy changes on the prevalence of obesity and substance misuse. Our findings highlight the wide disparity of evidence between high-income countries and LMICs. There is an urgent need for increased, targeted financing to address the research gaps in LMICs.

Advances in Insulin Infusion Set in the New Era of Automated Insulin Delivery: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Automated insulin delivery (AID) has become a well-known research topic devoted to achieving better glycemic outcomes. AID systems consist primarily of three components: the continuous glucose monitoring system, the insulin delivery system, either tethered or patch pump, and the control system (algorithm). A key component in the tethered pump AID system is the insulin infusion set (IIS). This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) study was conducted to evaluate the IIS evolution in the era of AID and to provide future perspectives of IIS clinical use.

METHODS

Literature searches for articles published from January 2016 to July 2022 were performed in Embase/Medline and PubMed. Data were extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Primary meta-analysis outcomes were IIS wear duration, total daily dose of insulin, and IIS failure reasons/modes.

RESULTS

We identified 387 publications, of which 15 eligible studies compared various IISs comprising over 1400 participants and >53 000 wears. Half of the studies published in 2022 were focused on extended IISs designed for wear durations of seven days or more. Three clinical trials have demonstrated the safe use of extended IISs to seven days of wear in individuals with type 1 diabetes, and two also demonstrated good glycemic control throughout the seven-day use.

CONCLUSIONS

Research in insulin infusion technology has increased in the last six years, and extended IISs have demonstrated improved overall performance, particularly in duration of wear. Paths for future products are discussed with an emphasis on understanding the existing barriers related to both technical and nontechnical issues.

One-Year Real-World Study on Comparison among Different Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Devices for the Management of Pediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: The Supremacy of Hybrid Closed-Loop Systems

Since their advent in daily clinical practice, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) systems have been increasingly improved, leading to a high percentage of both adult and pediatric patients with diabetes now using insulin pumps. Different types of CSII systems are currently available, which are characterized by different settings and technical features. This longitudinal observational study aims to evaluate real-word glycemic outcomes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes using three different CSII devices: hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems, predictive low glucose (PLGS) systems, and non-automated insulin pumps. The secondary objective was to identify clinical variables that may significantly influence the achievement of therapeutic goals in our study cohort. One-hundred-and-one patients on CSII therapy attending our pediatric diabetes center were enrolled. When compared with the non-automated group, patients using HCL systems showed higher levels of time in target glucose range (p = 0.003) and lower glucose variability (p = 0.008). Similarly, we found significantly better glucose metrics in HCL users in comparison to PLGS patients (time in range p = 0.008; coefficient of variation p = 0.009; time above 250 mg/dL p = 0.007). Multiple linear regression models showed that HCL systems (time in range p < 0.001) and high daily percentage of glycemic sensor use (time in range p = 0.031) are predictors for good glycemic control. The introduction and increasing availability of novel technologies for diabetes represent a promising strategy to improve glycemic control and quality of life in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Our real-world data confirm the superiority of HCL systems in terms of improvement of time spent in the target glucose range, prevention of hypoglycemia, and reduction of glycemic variability.

The Use of Diabetes Technology to Address Inequity in Health Outcomes: Limitations and Opportunities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The management of diabetes has been revolutionized by the introduction of novel technological treatments and modalities of care, such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump therapy, and telehealth. While these technologies have demonstrated improvement in health outcomes, it remains unclear whether they have reduced inequities from racial/ethnic minority or socioeconomic status. We review the current literature to discuss evidence of benefit, current limitations, and future opportunities of diabetes technologies.

FINDINGS

While there is ample evidence of the health and psychological benefit of diabetes technologies in large populations of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there remain wide disparities in the use of diabetes technologies, which may be perpetuating or widening inequities. Multilevel barriers include inequitable prescribing practices, lack of support for social determinants of health, mismatch of patient preferences and care models, and cost. We provide a review of disparities in diabetes technology use, possible root causes of continued inequity in outcomes, and insight into ways to overcome remaining gaps.

In-home use of a hybrid closed loop achieves time-in-range targets in preschoolers and school children: Results from a randomized, controlled, crossover trial

AIM

To obtain additional information on the incremental differences between using a sensor-augmented pump (SAP) without automated insulin delivery (AID), using it with predictive low-glucose management (PLGM) or as hybrid closed loop (HCL), in preschool and school children.

METHODS

We conducted a monocentric, randomized, controlled, two-phase crossover study in 38 children aged 2-6 and 7-14 years. The primary endpoint was the percentage of time in range (TIR) of 70-180 mg/dl. Other continuous glucose sensor metrics, HbA1c, patient-related outcomes (DISABKIDS questionnaire, Fear of Hypoglycaemia Survey) and safety events were also assessed. Results from 2 weeks of SAP, 8 weeks of PLGM and 8 weeks of HCL were compared using a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Overall, we found a high rate of TIR target (>70%) achievement with HCL in preschool (88%) and school children (50%), with average times in Auto Mode of 93% and 87%, respectively. Preschool children achieved a mean TIR of 73% ± 6% (+8% vs. SAP, +6% vs. PLGM) and school children 69% ± 8% (+15% vs. SAP and + 14% vs. PLGM). Overall, HbA1c improved from 7.4% ± 0.9% to 6.9% ± 0.5% (P = .0002). Diabetes burden and worries and fear of hypoglycaemia remained at low levels, without significant changes versus PLGM. No events of severe hypoglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Preschool children profit from AID at least as much as those aged 7 years and older. To ensure safe use and prescribing modalities, regulatory approval is also required for young children.

Erste Anwendungserfahrung eines neuen, Glukosesensor-unterstützten Pumpensystems mit vorausschauender Insulin-Abschaltung zum Hypoglykämieschutz bei pädiatrischen Patienten in Deutschland

Einleitung Die prädiktive Insulinabschaltung ist als System zur Prävention von Hypoglykämien in Deutschland etabliert (Smartguard). Seit 2020 ist in Deutschland ein zweites System verfügbar (Basal-IQ). Unterschiede betreffen eine nicht veränderbare prädiktive Abschaltgrenze von 80 mg/dl (vs. 50–90 mg/dl), eine Abschaltzeit von minimal 5 Minuten (vs. 30 Minuten) sowie die Festlegung der Wiedereinschaltung des Insulin bei einem höheren Wert als zuvor (vs. einem Abstand von 20 mg/dl über der Abschaltgrenze und höherer Prädiktion). Die Systeme wurden in einer Altersgruppe, die besonders von Unterzuckerungen bedroht ist, verglichen.

Methodik Pädiatrische Patienten (Alter 6–13 Jahre), mit Pumpen- und Sensorerfahrung (kein AID) wurde die Erprobung von Basal-IQ für eine Dauer von 3 Monaten angeboten. Betrachtet wurden die CGM-Parameter Zeit unter Zielbereich (TBR < 70mg/dl), im Zielbereich (TIR 70–180 mg/dl), glykämische Variabilität (Varianzkoeffizient CV%) und HbA1c. Patienten-bezogene Outcomes (PROʼs) wurden mit dem Diabskids-Elternfragebogen und einem Gerätefragebogen erfasst.

Ergebnisse Neun Teilnehmer (alle männlich, Mittelwerte: 9.7 Jahre, Diabetesdauer 6.1 Jahre, HbA1c 6.8%, Time in Range (TIR) 61.9%, Time below Range (TBR) 4.5%, mittlere Glukose (MW) 164 mg/dl, (CV) 40) wurden gefunden. Nach 3 Monaten konnten Verbesserungen der glykämischen Parameter beobachtet werden (HbA1c 6.5%, TIR 69.2%, TBR 2.8%, MW 159, CV 40; Kontrollen HbA1c 7.2%, TIR 64.9%, TBR 4.3%, MW 158, CV 39), die sich von einer zeitgleich mit Smartguard behandelten Kindern nicht unterschieden. Die Erfassung der PROʼs zeigte einen Rückgang der Diabetes- und Therapiebelastung, sowie eine Zufriedenheit mit dem System.

Diskussion Das neue System mit prädiktiver Abschaltung zeigte nach 3 Monaten eine Verbesserung der glykämischen Parameter und PROʼs. Ein statistischer Vergleich vorher/nachher ist aufgrund der geringen Patientenzahl nicht erfolgt, aber die Daten zeigen zumindest die Nichtunterlegenheit gegenüber dem Baseline-Zeitpunkt und den Daten, die aus einer Gruppe von Patienten mit kontinuierlicher Systemnutzung stammen. Somit stehen in Deutschland aktuell zwei verschiedene effiziente Systeme mit prädiktiver Insulinabschaltung für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Diabetes zur Verfügung, so dass diese nach fundierter Beratung auswählen können.

A century past the discovery of insulin: global progress and challenges for type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents in low-income and middle-income countries

Type 1 diabetes is on the rise globally; however, the burden of mortality remains disproportionate in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). As 2021 marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin, we revisit progress, global burden of type 1 diabetes trends, and understanding of the pathogenesis and management practices related to the disease. Despite much progress, inequities in access and availability of insulin formulations persist and are reflected in differences in survival and morbidity patterns related to the disease. Some of these inequities have also been exacerbated by health-system challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a clear opportunity to improve access to insulin and related essential technologies for improved management of type 1 diabetes in LMICs, especially as a part of universal health coverage. These improvements will require concerted action and investments in human resources, community engagement, and education for the timely diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes, as well as adequate health-care financing. Further research in LMICs, especially those in Africa, is needed to improve our understanding of the burden, risk factors, and implementation strategies for managing type 1 diabetes.

Digital Health for Supporting Precision Medicine in Pediatric Endocrine Disorders: Opportunities for Improved Patient Care

Digitalization of healthcare delivery is rapidly fostering development of precision medicine. Multiple digital technologies, known as telehealth or eHealth tools, are guiding individualized diagnosis and treatment for patients, and can contribute significantly to the objectives of precision medicine. From a basis of "one-size-fits-all" healthcare, precision medicine provides a paradigm shift to deliver a more nuanced and personalized approach. Genomic medicine utilizing new technologies can provide precision analysis of causative mutations, with personalized understanding of mechanisms and effective therapy. Education is fundamental to the telehealth process, with artificial intelligence (AI) enhancing learning for healthcare professionals and empowering patients to contribute to their care. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is rapidly implementing telehealth strategies at all levels and a workshop was convened to discuss aspirations of precision medicine in the context of pediatric endocrinology, including diabetes and growth disorders, with this paper based on those discussions. GCC regional investment in AI, bioinformatics and genomic medicine, is rapidly providing healthcare benefits. However, embracing precision medicine is presenting some major new design, installation and skills challenges. Genomic medicine is enabling precision and personalization of diagnosis and therapy of endocrine conditions. Digital education and communication tools in the field of endocrinology include chatbots, interactive robots and augmented reality. Obesity and diabetes are a major challenge in the GCC region and eHealth tools are increasingly being used for management of care. With regard to growth failure, digital technologies for growth hormone (GH) administration are being shown to enhance adherence and response outcomes. While technical innovations become more affordable with increasing adoption, we should be aware of sustainability, design and implementation costs, training of HCPs and prediction of overall healthcare benefits, which are essential for precision medicine to develop and for its objectives to be achieved.

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.