User and Healthcare Professional Perspectives on Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas Systems: A Need for Guidelines

Long-Term Improvements in Glycemia and User-Reported Outcomes Associated with Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery Systems in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in the United Kingdom: A Real-World Observational Study

Objective: To evaluate real-world outcomes in adults with type 1 diabetes initiating open-source automated insulin delivery systems (OS-AID). Methods: Adults with type 1 diabetes who commenced OS-AID, between May 2016 and April 2021, across 12 centers in the United Kingdom were included. Anonymized clinical data, collected during routine clinical care between December 2019 and November 2023, were submitted to a secure web-based tool within the National Health Service network. Outcomes included change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), sensor glucometrics, diabetes distress score, Gold score (hypoglycemia awareness), user opinion of OS-AID, and event rates (hospital admissions, paramedic callouts, severe hypoglycemia, and adverse events) between baseline and follow-up. Results: In total, 81 OS-AID users were included (51.9% male; 90.1% White British; mean age 41.4 years; median diabetes duration 25 years [IQR 17-32]). Over a mean follow-up of 1.7 years, HbA1c reduced by 0.8% (9 mmol/mol) (7.3 ± 1.1% vs. 6.5 ± 0.7%; P < 0.001), and the percentage of individuals achieving HbA1c ≤ 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) increased from 48.6% to 75.7% (P < 0.001). Diabetes-related distress score reduced by 0.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.3, -1.5; P = 0.006), and Gold score reduced by 0.7 (95% CI -0.1, -1.3; P = 0.022). The percentage of individuals with impaired hypoglycemia awareness (Gold score ≥4) reduced (27.8% at baseline vs. 8.3% at follow-up; P = 0.039). Of those asked, all participants stated that OS-AID had a positive impact on quality of life. The number of hospital admissions was low. Conclusions: The use of OS-AID is associated with long-term improvements in HbA1c, hypoglycemia awareness, and diabetes-related distress in type 1 diabetes. These benefits were achieved without increased rates of hospital admissions, diabetic ketoacidosis, or severe hypoglycemia.

Objectives and outcomes of patient-driven innovations published in peer-reviewed journals: a qualitative analysis of publications included in a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the objectives and outcomes of patient-driven innovations that have been published in the scientific literature, focusing on (A) the unmet needs that patient-driven innovations address and (B) the outcomes for patients and healthcare that have been reported.

METHODS

We performed an inductive qualitative content analysis of scientific publications that were included in a scoping review of patient-driven innovations, previously published by our research group. The review was limited to English language publications in peer-reviewed journals, published in the years 2008-2020.

RESULTS

In total, 83 publications covering 21 patient-driven innovations were included in the analysis. Most of the innovations were developed for use on an individual or community level without healthcare involvement. We created three categories of unmet needs that were addressed by these innovations: access to self-care support tools, open sharing of information and knowledge, and patient agency in self-care and healthcare decisions. Eighteen (22%) publications reported outcomes of patient-driven innovations. We created two categories of outcomes: impact on self-care, and impact on peer interaction and healthcare collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

The patient-driven innovations illustrated a diversity of innovative approaches to facilitate patients' and informal caregivers' daily lives, interactions with peers and collaborations with healthcare. As our findings indicate, patients and informal caregivers are central stakeholders in driving healthcare development and research forward to meet the needs that matter to patients and informal caregivers. However, only few studies reported on outcomes of patient-driven innovations. To support wider implementation, more evaluation studies are needed, as well as research into regulatory approval processes, dissemination and governance of patient-driven innovations.

Barriers to Uptake of Open-Source Automated Insulin Delivery Systems: Analysis of Socioeconomic Factors and Perceived Challenges of Caregivers of Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes From the OPEN Survey

Background

As a treatment option for people living with diabetes, automated insulin delivery (AID) systems are becoming increasingly popular. The #WeAreNotWaiting community plays a crucial role in the provision and distribution of open-source AID technology. However, while a large percentage of children were early adopters of open-source AID, there are regional differences in adoption, which has prompted an investigation into the barriers perceived by caregivers of children with diabetes to creating open-source systems.

Methods

This is a retrospective, cross-sectional and multinational study conducted with caregivers of children and adolescents with diabetes, distributed across the online #WeAreNotWaiting online peer-support groups. Participants—specifically caregivers of children not using AID—responded to a web-based questionnaire concerning their perceived barriers to building and maintaining an open-source AID system.

Results

56 caregivers of children with diabetes, who were not using open-source AID at the time of data collection responded to the questionnaire. Respondents indicated that their major perceived barriers to building an open-source AID system were their limited technical skills (50%), a lack of support by medical professionals (39%), and therefore the concern with not being able to maintain an AID system (43%). However, barriers relating to confidence in open-source technologies/unapproved products and fear of digital technology taking control of diabetes were not perceived as significant enough to prevent non-users from initiating the use of an open-source AID system.

Conclusions

The results of this study elucidate some of the perceived barriers to uptake of open-source AID experienced by caregivers of children with diabetes. Reducing these barriers may improve the uptake of open-source AID technology for children and adolescents with diabetes. With the continuous development and wider dissemination of educational resources and guidance—for both aspiring users and their healthcare professionals—the adoption of open-source AID systems could be improved.

Patient-driven innovations reported in peer-reviewed journals: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Awareness of patients' innovative capabilities is increasing, but there is limited knowledge regarding the extent and nature of patient-driven innovations in the peer-reviewed literature.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the review was to answer the question: what is the nature and extent of patient-driven innovations published in peer-reviewed scientific journals?

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We used a broad definition of innovation to allow for a comprehensive review of different types of innovations and a narrow definition of 'patient driven' to focus on the role of patients and/or family caregivers. The search was limited to years 2008-2020.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

Four electronic databases (Medline (Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO (Ovid) and Cinahl (Ebsco)) were searched in December 2020 for publications describing patient-driven innovations and complemented with snowball strategies.

CHARTING METHODS

Data from the included articles were extracted and categorised inductively.

RESULTS

A total of 96 articles on 20 patient-driven innovations were included. The number of publications increased over time, with 69% of the articles published between 2016 and 2020. Author affiliations were exclusively in high income countries with 56% of first authors in North America and 36% in European countries. Among the 20 innovations reported, 'Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas System' and the online health network 'PatientsLikeMe', were the subject of half of the articles.

CONCLUSIONS

Peer-reviewed publications on patient-driven innovations are increasing and we see an important opportunity for researchers and clinicians to support patient innovators' research while being mindful of taking over the work of the innovators themselves.

Open-source automated insulin delivery: international consensus statement and practical guidance for health-care professionals

Open-source automated insulin delivery systems, commonly referred to as do-it-yourself automated insulin delivery systems, are examples of user-driven innovations that were co-created and supported by an online community who were directly affected by diabetes. Their uptake continues to increase globally, with current estimates suggesting several thousand active users worldwide. Real-world user-driven evidence is growing and provides insights into safety and effectiveness of these systems. The aim of this consensus statement is two-fold. Firstly, it provides a review of the current evidence, description of the technologies, and discusses the ethics and legal considerations for these systems from an international perspective. Secondly, it provides a much-needed international health-care consensus supporting the implementation of open-source systems in clinical settings, with detailed clinical guidance. This consensus also provides important recommendations for key stakeholders that are involved in diabetes technologies, including developers, regulators, and industry, and provides medico-legal and ethical support for patient-driven, open-source innovations.

How Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Are Navigating the Challenges of Open-Source Artificial Pancreas Systems: A Qualitative Study

Objective: An emerging group of people with type 1 diabetes are building and using their own artificial pancreas systems (APS). Currently, these "user-led," open-source systems are not endorsed by regulatory bodies. People face multiple challenges when building and using open-source APS (e.g., lacking required technical knowledge, difficulties sourcing hardware). We explored the experiences of adults with type 1 diabetes using open-source APS to understand how they are navigating these challenges. Research Design and Methods: We conducted semistructured telephone interviews (October 2018 to January 2019) with Australian adults about their experiences using an open-source APS. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Results: Participants included 23 adults with type 1 diabetes, aged 25-64 years, 10 (43%) women, with 1-34 months of experience of open-source APS. Participants used four key strategies to navigate challenges: (1) peer support, (2) self-sufficiency, (3) risk management, and (4) trade-offs. Participants relied on peer support and self-sufficiency to fill perceived gaps in professional and industry support. They felt that using an open-source solution was no riskier than previous management and demonstrated a conscious weighing-up of risks. Overall, participants felt that the experienced benefits for their physical health and quality of life outweighed the challenges and potential risks. Conclusions: Adults with type 1 diabetes are applying several interweaving psychosocial and practical strategies to navigate the challenges of building and using open-source APS. The findings highlight the importance of health professionals' showing support and understanding for those choosing to use an open-source APS.

Standardized Hybrid Closed-Loop System Reporting

The hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system has been shown to improve glycemic control and reduce hypoglycemia. Optimization of HCL settings requires interpretation of the glucose, insulin, and factors affecting glucose such as food intake and exercise. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published guidance on the standardized reporting of HCL systems. Standardization of HCL reporting would make interpretation of data easy across different systems. We reviewed the literature on patient and provider perspectives on downloading and reporting glucose metric preferences. We also incorporated international consensus on standardized reporting for glucose metrics. We describe a single-page HCL data reporting, referred to here as "artificial pancreas (AP) Dashboard." We propose seven components in the AP Dashboard that can provide detailed information and visualization of glucose, insulin, and HCL-specific metrics. The seven components include (A) glucose metrics, (B) hypoglycemia, (C) insulin, (D) user experience, (E) hyperglycemia, (F) glucose modal-day profile, and (G) insight. A single-page report similar to an electrocardiogram can help providers and patients interpret HCL data easily and take the necessary steps to improve glycemic outcomes. We also describe the optimal sampling duration for HCL data download and color coding for visualization ease. We believe that this is a first step in creating a standardized HCL reporting, which may result in better uptake of the systems. For increased adoption, standardized reporting will require input from providers, patients, diabetes device manufacturers, and regulators.