Factors associated with withdrawal from insulin pump therapy: A large-population-based study

BACKGROUND

Although, number of diabetic patients received insulin pump (IP) therapy is increasing; there are limited data regarding factors associated with IP withdrawal.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from an Israeli health maintenance organization. All patients, 21 or older, with type 1 (T1DM) or type 2 (T2DM) diabetes, who received IP therapy for a 7-year period were identified. Patients who did not purchase IP maintenance supplies for at least six consecutive months were defined as withdrawn (N = 355). Patients who purchased supplies were defined as adherent (N = 352).

RESULTS

In both T1DM and T2DM patients, withdrawal from IP therapy was positively associated with duration of diabetes longer than 5 years (odds ratio [OR] = 13.26 [CI, 7.16-23.34; P < .001] and OR = 10.92 [CI, 5.64-21.14; P < .001], respectively), nonadherence to dietician follow-up (OR = 5.78 [CI, 3.65-9.14; P < .001] and OR = 3.41 [CI, 1.99-5.85; P < .001], respectively), and poor glycaemic control prior to IP treatment (OR = 4.04 [CI, 2.18-7.48; P < .001] and OR = 4.59 [CI, 2.71-7.81; P < .001], respectively]. Co-morbid neuro-psychiatric disorders were also risk factors for IP withdrawal: diagnosis of depression (OR = 2.22 [CI, 1.16-4.27; P = .017] and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) OR = 2.45 [CI, 1.003-5.087; P = .043]) among T1DM patients; and diagnosis of depression (OR = 1.85 [CI, 1.05-5.27; P = .046] and dementia OR = 4.03 [CI, 1.03-19.77; P = .048]) among T2DM patients.

CONCLUSION

In our large real-world population-based study, we found that smoking, obesity, poor glycaemic control, and co-morbid neuro-psychiatric disorders were associated with a high rate of withdrawal from IP therapy. Health care providers ought to familiarize themselves with patient characteristics predictive of nonadherence and should intensify patient follow-up when incorporating this new, costly, and challenging technology.

Insulin/weight ratio may serve as a predictor of success during insulin pump therapy in type 2 diabetes patients: a proof-of-concept study

Aims. To evaluate long-term efficacy of CSII for treating type 2 diabetes patients. To make an attempt to predict which patient would be more likely to reduce HbA1c levels (success) on CSII. Methods. 18 Type 2 diabetes patients who began insulin pump therapy in our institute were included. All patients were previously treated by insulin with a mean duration of 54.9?51.4 months. Results. Mean duration of follow-up with CSII was 42.2?27.0 months. No significant changes were seen in HbA1c in total cohort (p=0.064), but fasting plasma glucose was reduced from 10,5?2,9 to 7,6?1,9 mmol/l, p=0.007. No weight gain and no severe hypoglycemia were noted. All patients were divided to three groups according to their HbA1c levels: those whose treatment was successful (A), failed (B) or neutral (C), (5, 8, 5 patients respectively). A difference was found in insulin/weight (IWR) ratio within the group A: 0.81?0.29 U/kg before vs. 0.41 ?0.12 U/kg on CSII, p=0.043. There was a difference in IWR on CSII in group A compared to group B (0.41 ?0.12 U/kg vs. 0.93?0.6 U/kg respectively, p=0.011). We also noted a trend of weight reduction in the group A vs. weight gain in the group B. Conclusions. CSII is a viable tool in insulin ? requiring type 2 diabetes persons, since the insulin dosing and release it provides are much more physiological. CSII is safe and effective for improving glycemic control, but not in all diabetes patients. We suggest IWR reduction may serve as an early predictor of success on CSII. This work may serve as a "proof-of-concept" study, demonstrating once again the fundamental role of strict weight control in type 2 diabetes. More studies are needed to explore and confirm our experience.