A Clinical Overview of Insulin Pump Therapy for the Management of Diabetes: Past, Present, and Future of Intensive Therapy

Prandial Insulins: A Person-Centered Choice

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Postprandial hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose after meals, is associated with the development and progression of various diabetes-related complications. Prandial insulins are designed to replicate the natural insulin release after meals and are highly effective in managing post-meal glucose spikes. Currently, different types of prandial insulins are available such as human regular insulin, rapid-acting analogs, ultra-rapid-acting analogs, and inhaled insulins. Knowledge about diverse landscape of prandial insulin will optimize glycemic management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Human regular insulin, identical to insulin produced by the human pancreas, has a slower onset and extended duration, potentially leading to post-meal hyperglycemia and later hypoglycemia. In contrast, rapid-acting analogs, such as lispro, aspart, and glulisine, are new insulin types with amino acid modifications that enhance their subcutaneous absorption, resulting in a faster onset and shorter action duration. Ultra-rapid analogs, like faster aspart and ultra-rapid lispro, offer even shorter onset of action, providing better meal-time flexibility. The Technosphere insulin offers an inhaled route for prandial insulin delivery. The prandial insulins can be incorporated into basal-bolus, basal plus, or prandial-only regimens or delivered through insulin pumps. Human regular insulin, aspart, lispro, and faster aspart are recommended for management of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Ongoing research is focused on refining prandial insulin replacement and exploring newer delivery methods. The article provides a comprehensive overview of various prandial insulin options and their clinical applications in the management of diabetes.

Revolutionizing type 1 diabetes management: Exploring oral insulin and adjunctive treatments

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Insulin pumps or injections are the standard treatment options for this condition. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the several type 1 diabetes treatment options, focusing on oral insulin. The article is divided into parts that include immune-focused treatments, antigen vaccination, cell-directed interventions, cytokine-directed interventions, and non-immunomodulatory adjuvant therapy. Under the section on non-immunomodulatory adjunctive treatment, the benefits and drawbacks of medications such as metformin, amylin, sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 Ras), and verapamil are discussed. The article also discusses the advantages of oral insulin, including increased patient compliance and more dependable and regular blood sugar control. However, several variables, including the enzymatic and physical barriers of the digestive system, impair the administration of insulin via the mouth. Researchers have looked at a few ways to get over these challenges, such as changing the structure of the insulin molecule, improving absorption with the use of absorption enhancers or nanoparticles, and taking oral insulin together with other medications. Even with great advancements in the use of these treatment strategies, T1D still needs improvement in the therapeutic difficulties. Future studies in these areas should focus on creating tailored immunological treatments, looking into combination medications, and refining oral insulin formulations in an attempt to better control Type 1 Diabetes. The ultimate objective is to create accurate, customized strategies that will enhance glycemic management and the quality of life for individuals with the condition.

Electrooxidation of Phenol on Polyelectrolyte Modified Carbon Electrodes for Use in Insulin Pump Infusion Sets

BACKGROUND

Many type 1 diabetes patients using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) suffer from the phenomenon of unexplained hypoglycemia or "site loss." Site loss is hypothesized to be caused by toxic excipients, for example, phenolic compounds within insulin formulations that are used as preservatives and stabilizers. Here, we develop a bioinspired polyelectrolyte-modified carbon electrode for effective electrooxidative removal of phenol from insulin and eventual incorporations into an infusion set of a CSII device.

METHODS

We modified a carbon screen printed electrode (SPE) with poly-L-lysine (PLL) to avoid passivation due to polyphenol deposition while still removing phenolic compounds from insulin injections. We characterized these electrodes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and compared their data with data from bare SPEs. Furthermore, we performed electrochemical measurements to determine the extent of passivation, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements to confirm both the removal of phenol and the integrity of insulin after phenol removal.

RESULTS

Voltammetry measurements show that electrode passivation due to polyphenol deposition is reduced by a factor of 2X. HPLC measurements confirm a 10x greater removal of phenol by our modified electrodes relative to bare electrodes.

CONCLUSION

Using bioinspired polyelectrolytes to modify a carbon electrode surface aids in the electrooxidation of phenolic compounds from insulin and is a step toward integration within an infusion set for mitigating site loss.

Development of a Real-time Force-based Algorithm for Infusion Failure Detection

BACKGROUND

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is a common treatment option for people with diabetes (PWD), but insulin infusion failures pose a significant challenge, leading to hyperglycemia, diabetes burnout, and increased hospitalizations. Current CSII pumps' occlusion alarm systems are limited in detecting infusion failures; therefore, a more effective detection method is needed.

METHODS

We conducted five preclinical animal studies to collect data on infusion failures, utilizing both insulin and non-insulin boluses. Data were captured using in-line pressure and flow rate sensors, with additional force data from CSII pumps' onboard sensors in one study. A novel classifier model was developed using this dataset, aimed at detecting different types of infusion failures through direct utilization of force sensor data. Performance was compared against various occlusion alarm thresholds from commercially available CSII pumps.

RESULTS

The testing dataset included 251 boluses. The Bagging classifier model showed the highest performance metrics among the models tested, exhibiting high accuracy (96%), sensitivity (94%), and specificity (98%), with lower false-positive and false-negative rate compared with traditional occlusion alarm pressure thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study developed a novel non-threshold classifier that outperforms current occlusion alarm systems in CSII pumps in detecting infusion failures. This advancement has the potential to reduce the risk of hyperglycemia and hospitalizations due to undetected infusion failures, offering a more reliable and effective CSII therapy for PWD. Further studies involving human participants are recommended to validate these findings and assess the classifier's performance in a real-world setting.

Insulin's Legacy: A Century of Breakthroughs and Innovation

The clinical use of insulin to treat diabetes started just over 100 years ago. The past century has witnessed remarkable innovations in insulin therapy, evolving from animal organ extracts to bioengineered human insulins with ultra-rapid onset or prolonged action. Insulin delivery systems have also progressed to current automated insulin delivery systems. In this review, we discuss the history of insulin and the pharmacology and therapeutic indications for a variety of available insulins, especially newer analog insulins. We highlight recent advances in insulin pump therapy and review evidence on the therapeutic benefits of automated insulin delivery. As with any form of progress, there have been setbacks, and insulin has recently faced an affordability crisis. We address the challenges of insulin accessibility, along with recent progress to improve insulin affordability. Finally, we mention research on glucose-responsive insulins and hepato-preferential insulins that are likely to shape the future of insulin therapy.

The interplay between gingival crevicular fluid microbiome and metabolomic profile in intensively treated people with type 1 diabetes - a combined metagenomic/metabolomic approach cross-sectional study

Aims

This study aimed to assess the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) microbiome and metabolome of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, the GCF of adults with T1D treated with CSII and non-diabetic controls were sampled, and metagenomic/metabolomic analyses were performed.

Results

In total, 65 participants with T1D and 45 healthy controls with a mean age of 27.05 ± 5.95 years were investigated. There were 22 cases of mild gingivitis (G) in the T1D group. There were no differences considering the Shannon and Chao indices and β-diversity between people with T1D and G, with T1D without G, and healthy controls. Differential taxa were identified, which were mainly enriched in people with T1D and G. Acetic acid concentration was higher in people with T1D, regardless of the presence of G, than in healthy controls. Propionic acid was higher in people with T1D and G than in healthy controls. Isobutyric and isovaleric acid levels were higher in individuals with T1D and G than in the other two subgroups. The concentration of valeric acid was lower and that of caproic acid was higher in people with T1D (regardless of gingival status) than in healthy controls.

Conclusions

The identification of early changes in periodontal tissues by targeting the microbiome and metabolome could potentially enable effective prevention and initial treatment of periodontal disease in people with T1D.

Effectiveness of Insulin Pump Therapy Versus Multiple Daily Injections for Glycemic Control and Rate of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background Advances in pump technology and the availability of insulin analogs, as well as the results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), which established the benefit of improved glycemic control, have all contributed to the increased use of insulin pump therapy in recent years, particularly in children. Purpose This research aims to compare the impact of insulin delivery method, i.e., continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI) on glycemic control and the rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods  A retrospective cohort study was carried out in a diabetic center in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, over 24 months (2020-2022) among children with type I diabetes mellitus (age group 1-14 years). Results  In total, 351 patients with diabetes were induced, with 316 (90%) on MDI and 35 (10%) on CSII. After six months of diagnosis, precisely 38 (12%) of patients with diabetes on the MDI regimen experienced DKA, compared to 4 (11.4%) of those on the CSII regimen, with no statistically significant difference (P=0.918). At six months and nine months of follow-up, the average hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was considerably higher in diabetic patients on MDI (8.9 ± 1.7% vs. 8.2 ± 1.5% and 9.1 ± 1.6% vs. 8.0 ± 1.3%, respectively, with a significant p-value ≤0.05). Conclusion In this study, we found that patients on the MDI regimen had considerably higher HbA1c levels than patients on the CSII regimen, but there was no statistically significant difference in DKA rates between them. This is a short-term follow-up study, and we recommend that patients be followed for a longer period of time for further accurate outcomes.

Iontophoretically controlled insulin delivery via water-soluble conductive polymer PANI:PSS and thermoplastic polyurethane matrix

Transdermal insulin delivery is an alternative route to deliver insulin through the body skin with the challenges to overcome the low drug skin permeability and high molecular weight. Polyaniline doped with poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PANI:PSS), a conductive polymer with the high electrical conductivity, was synthesized and utilized as a drug carrier to improve the drug delivery capability from a porous thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix. The insulin was electrostatically attached to PANI:PSS based on the ion exchange between insulin and PSS. For the in vitro drug release of insulin loaded PANI:PSS relative to the pristine insulin alone, the amount of insulin released was improved to 84.70% with the time to equilibrium of 2 h under the electrical field of 6 V. For the ex vivo release-skin permeation, the amount insulin released and permeated became lower at 57.02% with time to equilibrium of 2 h, due to the pig skin acting as a barrier for insulin permeation. The modified insulin transdermal delivery, with PANI:PSS as the drug carrier and drug enhancer relative to without, is shown here to influence the insulin release rate, amount, and duration, suitable to treat diabetes patients.

New ex vivo method to objectively assess insulin spatial subcutaneous dispersion through time during pump basal-rate based administration

Glycemic variability remains frequent in patients with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin pumps. Heterogeneous spreads of insulin infused by pump in the subcutaneous (SC) tissue are suspected but were barely studied. We propose a new real-time ex-vivo method built by combining high-precision imaging with simultaneous pressure measurements, to obtain a real-time follow-up of insulin subcutaneous propagation. Human skin explants from post-bariatric surgery are imaged in a micro-computed tomography scanner, with optimised parameters to reach one 3D image every 5 min during 3 h of 1UI/h infusion. Pressure inside the tubing is recorded. A new index of dispersion (IoD) is introduced and computed upon the segmented 3D insulin depot per time-step. Infusions were hypodermal in 58.3% among 24 assays, others being intradermal or extradermal. Several minor bubbles and one occlusion were observed. IoD increases with time for all injections. Inter-assay variability is the smallest for hypodermal infusions. Pressure elevations were observed, synchronised with air bubbles arrivals in the tissue. Results encourage the use of this method to compare infusion parameters such as pump model, basal rate, catheter characteristics, infusion site characteristics or patient phenotype.

The Role of Ultra-Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs in Diabetes: An Expert Consensus

Ultra-rapid-acting insulin analogs (URAA) are a further development and refinement of rapid-acting insulin analogs. Because of their adapted formulation, URAA provide an even faster pharmacokinetics and thus an accelerated onset of insulin action than conventional rapid-acting insulin analogs, allowing for a more physiologic delivery of exogenously applied insulin. Clinical trials have confirmed the superiority of URAA in controlling postprandial glucose excursions, with a safety profile that is comparable to the rapid-acting insulins. Consequently, many individuals with diabetes mellitus may benefit from URAA in terms of prandial glycemic control. Unfortunately, there are only few available recommendations from authoritative sources for use of URAA in clinical practice. Therefore, this expert consensus report aims to define populations of people with diabetes mellitus for whom URAA may be beneficial and to provide health care professionals with concrete, practical recommendations on how best to use URAA in this context.

Technology and Transplants: Troubleshooting Insulin Pumps and Pancreas Transplants in the Emergency Department

Diabetes management has continued to evolve with new treatments and technology. This article discusses the approach to evaluation and management of two distinctive subsets of patients: (1) patients who manage their diabetes with an insulin pump (artificial pancreas) and (2) patients who have received a pancreas transplant. The most current literature is reviewed and pearls and pitfalls distinctive to these two patient populations are discussed. Relevant diagnostics are reviewed with emphasis on recognition of complications faced in the emergency department management of these unique patient populations.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Insulin Pump Among Non-Endocrinology Nurses in South China

Purpose

To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on insulin pump among non-endocrinology nurses in Southern China.

Methods

This multicenter cross-sectional study enrolled non-endocrinology nurses in Southern China between November 2020 and December 2020. A structured questionnaire about insulin pumps was designed and used to collect data.

Results

A total of 1118 nurses from 29 hospitals participated in the study. The majority of them were female (98.48%), and 513 worked in the department of internal medicine (45.89%), followed by surgery (235, 21.00%), pediatrics (147, 13.14%), gynecology (127, 11.35%), and oncology (96, 8.71%). None of the nurses answered all questions correctly in the knowledge section. The score of knowledge was 50.12 ± 3.42 (total score range, 0 to 85). The attitude score of nurses in the department of gynecology was 47.76 ± 5.11 (total score range, 10 to 50), followed by nurses in the department of internal medicine (47.43 ± 4.65), pediatrics (46.71 ± 4.96), surgery (46.77 ± 5.78) and oncology (46.25 ± 5.87). The practice score of nurses in the internal medicine department was 79.16 ± 9.03 (total score range, 17 to 85), followed by nurses in the department of gynecology (78.76 ± 10.76), surgery (78.14 ± 10.09), oncology (76.89 ± 12.70) and pediatrics (73.35 ± 19.04).

Conclusion

There was limited knowledge regarding insulin pumps among nurses, although they had a positive attitude and attached importance to the management of insulin pumps. In clinical practice, their implementation of insulin pump management norms was acceptable.

A pilot randomised controlled parallel arm trial evaluating treatment satisfaction with the Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System compared with usual care in adults with type 1 diabetes in Australia: rationale, study design and methodologies

BACKGROUND

Insulin pump therapy (IPT) improves glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with multiple daily injections (MDI). However, their size, the tethered insulin infusion set, intrusiveness when operating the device and the need to disconnect during showering limit their acceptance to many who may benefit. The Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System is a small waterproof tubeless device which is wirelessly controlled by a handheld device which may be an acceptable alternative. However, there are no randomised controlled trials focusing on the impact on user perceptions of tubeless insulin pump therapy. This pilot study aims to assess study feasibility and acceptability of patch pump therapy compared with usual care in adults with T1D in Australia to inform power calculations and progression to a large-scale multi-site randomised controlled study.

METHODS

A pilot multi-site parallel randomised controlled study will be conducted in sixty-four adults with T1D who are managed on MDI or IPT and self-monitoring with finger-stick blood glucose from four specialist diabetes centres in Victoria, Australia. Following carbohydrate counting education, participants will be randomised to use Omnipod DASH® System (Omnipod group) or continue usual care (usual care group) for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week extension phase where all participants will use Omnipod DASH® System. The primary outcome measure is feasibility determined by study completion rates with a threshold of 0.80. Acceptability of the intervention (Omnipod DASH® System) will be assessed by the difference in Diabetes Technology Questionnaire 'current' (DTQ-current) score at 12 weeks post-randomisation compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes will include other measures of user acceptance, process outcomes, resource outcomes, participant-centred outcomes, healthcare professional perceptions and glycaemic outcomes.

DISCUSSION

This pilot study will provide insights regarding the feasibility of the study design and the first data regarding user acceptance of insulin patch pump technology in Australian T1D adults. We anticipate that this study will provide information informing the design of a larger study evaluating the impact of patch pumps on subjective outcomes that are of significance to the person living with T1D.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( https://anzctr.org.au/ ) ACTRN12621001195842 (8th September 2021). Please refer to Additional file 1: Appendix 1 for full details.

Efficacy and safety of faster aspart in insulin pumps in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A single-center study with real-world data

AIMS

To assess the efficacy and safety of faster aspart (FIAsp) in paediatric population with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and insulin pumps in real-world settings.

METHODS

Of 44 patients, 20 used FIAsp, 16 of which switched from aspart to FIAsp and 24 used aspart/lispro. We performed within-groups and between-groups analyses in three time points for anthropometric data, % of 24-h time in range of 70-180 mg/dl (TIR), time < 70 mg/dl and <54 mg/dl and time > 180 mg/dl and >250 mg/dl, bolus and basal insulins doses (units/kg/day and %), total daily dose (TDD, units/kg/day), glycaemic variability, frequency of set changes, sensor wear per week and meals per day.

RESULTS

Use of FIAsp over time increased TIR (P = 0.002) and TDD (P = 0.008 and P = 0.004, respectively for three months after the switch and recent use) and decreased time in hyperglycaemia (>180 P = 0.003 and > 250 mg/dl, P = 0.004). Frequency of set changes differ in the first 3 months (P = 0.042). Patients with FIAsp consumed more meals per day compared to those with aspart/lispro (P = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

Real-world data confirm that use of FIAsp in insulin pumps in paediatric populations improves glycaemic control long-term.

Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion Versus Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin for Pregestational Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy in pregnancies affected by pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) has generated mixed outcome data worthy of further investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate clinical outcomes associated with CSII versus multiple daily injections (MDIs) in pregnant persons with pregestational DM.

METHODS

A predefined, systematic, librarian-assisted search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (published from 2010 to 2022) yielded 3003 studies describing pregnancy outcomes associated with CSII and/or MDI for pregestational DM. The primary exposure was mode of insulin administration, with cesarean delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia as the primary maternal and neonatal outcomes, respectively. Secondary outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, first and third-trimester glycemic control, large-for-gestational age (LGA) neonate, preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, need for respiratory support, hyperbilirubinemia, 5-minute Apgar <7, shoulder dystocia, and perinatal mortality. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Among 39 eligible studies, 39% of the 5518 pregnancies included were exposed to CSII. Odds of cesarean delivery were higher with CSII (20 studies: 63% vs 56%, odds ratio [OR] 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.5]), but we did not identify a difference in the odds of neonatal hypoglycemia (23 studies: 31% vs 34%, OR 1.1 [95% CI 0.9-1.5]). Among secondary outcomes, only the odds of LGA (20 studies: 47% vs 38%, OR 1.4 [95% CI 1.2-1.6]) were higher in individuals using CSII versus MDI.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of CSII (vs MDI) for pregestational DM in pregnancy is associated with higher odds of cesarean delivery and delivery of an LGA neonate. Further evaluation of how CSII use may influence neonatal size and delivery route is warranted.

Current Technologies for Managing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Their Impact on Quality of Life-A Narrative Review

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people and generates high healthcare costs due to frequent complications when inappropriately managed. Our paper aimed to review the latest technologies used in T1DM management for better glycemic control and their impact on daily life for people with diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems provide a better understanding of daily glycemic variations for children and adults and can be easily used. These systems diminish diabetes distress and improve diabetes control by decreasing hypoglycemia. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions have proven their benefits in selected patients. There is a tendency to use more complex systems, such as hybrid closed-loop systems that can modulate insulin infusion based on glycemic readings and artificial intelligence-based algorithms. It can help people manage the burdens associated with T1DM management, such as fear of hypoglycemia, exercising, and long-term complications. The future is promising and aims to develop more complex ways of automated control of glycemic levels to diminish the distress of individuals living with diabetes.

Quality of Life Among Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Alahsa: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disease in children, and its annual prevalence is increasing worldwide. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial indicator of chronic illnesses such as DM. This study aimed to assess the HRQoL and determine the associated factors among children and adolescents with type 1 DM in Alahsa region in 2022.

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the DiabeterSA center using the Arabic version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQl 3.2). All patients aged 5-16 years and diagnosed with type 1 DM were included in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted during the patients' routine visits to the outpatient clinic from September 2022 to January 2023.

RESULT

A total of 254 children aged 5-16 years (mean age: 10.87 ± 2.89 years) were recruited. The mean HRQoL total score reported by the children and adolescents was 72.61 ± 15.36. Older age, higher family socioeconomic status, excellent school performance, and higher parental education level, particularly in mothers, were significantly associated with higher total HRQoL scores. In the regression analysis, male sex (β = -0.157,P = 0.018), older age (β = 0.246, P <0.001), and excellent school performance (β = -0.290, P < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors of the HRQoL total score. Nearly 19% of the participants achieved glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

The quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 DM in Alahsa region was relatively good. Increased age, good family economic status, and higher parent education levels positively influenced the participants' quality of life. Therefore, regular evaluation of HRQoL is recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 DM to identify problems and initiate an appropriate intervention for improving child health and the health care system.

Insulin detection in diabetes mellitus: challenges and new prospects

Tremendous progress has been made towards achieving tight glycaemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus through the use of frequent or continuous glucose measurements. However, in patients who require insulin, accurate dosing must consider multiple factors that affect insulin sensitivity and modulate insulin bolus needs. Accordingly, an urgent need exists for frequent and real-time insulin measurements to closely track the dynamic blood concentration of insulin during insulin therapy and guide optimal insulin dosing. Nevertheless, traditional centralized insulin testing cannot offer timely measurements, which are essential to achieving this goal. This Perspective discusses the advances and challenges in moving insulin assays from traditional laboratory-based assays to frequent and continuous measurements in decentralized (point-of-care and home) settings. Technologies that hold promise for insulin testing using disposable test strips, mobile systems and wearable real-time insulin-sensing devices are discussed. We also consider future prospects for continuous insulin monitoring and for fully integrated multisensor-guided closed-loop artificial pancreas systems.

The efficacy of automated insulin delivery systems in children and adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIMS

Insulin administration is the treatment of choice for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Technological advances have led to the development of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, aiming to optimize the quality of life of patients with T1D. We present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature about the efficacy of AID systems in children and adolescents with T1D.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until August 8^th, 2022, investigating the efficacy of AID systems in the management of patients <21 years of age with T1D. A priori subgroup and sensitivity analyses based on different settings (free-living settings, type of AID system, parallel group or crossover design) were also conducted.

RESULTS

In total, 26 RCTs reporting a total of 915 children and adolescents with T1D were included in the meta-analysis. AID systems revealed statistically significant differences in the main outcomes, such as the proportion of time in the target glucose range (3.9-10 mmol/L) (p<0.00001), in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L) (p=0.003) and mean proportion of HbA1C (p=0.0007) compared to control group.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the present meta-analysis, AID systems are superior to insulin pump therapy, sensor-augmented pumps and multiple daily insulin injections. Most of the included studies have a high risk of bias because of allocation, blinding of patients and blinding of assessment. Our sensitivity analyses showed that patients <21 years of age with T1D can use AID systems, after proper education, following their daily activities. Further RCTs examining the effect of AID systems on nocturnal hypoglycemia, under free-living settings and studies examining the effect of dual-hormone AID systems are pending.

Maximizing Glycemic Benefits of Using Faster Insulin Formulations in Type 1 Diabetes: In Silico Analysis Under Open- and Closed-Loop Conditions

Background: Ultrarapid-acting insulin analogs that could improve or even prevent postprandial hyperglycemia are now available for both research and clinical care. However, clear glycemic benefits remain elusive, especially when combined with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. In this work, we study two insulin formulations in silico and highlight adjustments of both open-loop and closed-loop insulin delivery therapies as a critical step to achieve clinically meaningful improvements. Methods: Subcutaneous insulin transport models for two faster analogs, Fiasp (Novo Nordisk, Bagsværd, Denmark) and AT247 (Arecor, Saffron Walden, United Kingdom), were identified using data collected from prior clamp experiments, and integrated into the UVA/Padova type 1 diabetes simulator (adult cohort, N = 100). Pump therapy parameters and the aggressiveness of our full closed-loop algorithm were adapted to the new insulin pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles through a sequence of in silico studies. Finally, we assessed these analogs' glycemic impact with and without modified therapy parameters in simulated conditions designed to match clinical trial data. Results: Simply switching to faster insulin analogs shows limited improvements in glycemic outcomes. However, when insulin acceleration is accompanied by therapy adaptation, clinical significance is found comparing time-in-range (70-180 mg/dL) with Aspart versus AT247 in open-loop (+5.1%); and Aspart versus Fiasp (+5.4%) or AT247 (+10.6%) in full closed-loop with no clinically significant differences in the exposure to hypoglycemia. Conclusion: In silico results suggest that properly adjusting intensive insulin therapy profiles, or AID tuning, to faster insulin analogs is necessary to obtain clinically significant improvements in glucose control.

Automated Insulin Delivery Systems as a Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 6.3% of the worldwide population has type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the number of people requiring insulin is increasing. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems integrate continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring with a predictive control algorithm to provide more physiologic glycemic control. Personalized glycemic targets are recommended in T2DM owing to the heterogeneity of the disease. Based on the success of hybrid closed-loop systems in improving glycemic control and safety in type 1 diabetes mellitus, there has been further interest in the use of these systems in people with T2DM.

METHODS

We performed a review of AID systems with a focus on the T2DM population.

RESULTS

In 5 randomized controlled trials, AID systems improve time in range and reduce glycemic variability, without increasing insulin requirements or the risk of hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSION

AID systems in T2DM are safe and effective in hospitalized and closely monitored settings. Home studies of longer duration are required to assess for long-term benefit and identify target populations of benefit.

Improvements in Glycemic Outcomes in 4738 Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Initiating a Tubeless Insulin Management System

INTRODUCTION

Despite recent advances in diabetes technology, most people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are unable to meet glycemic targets. Real-world evidence can provide insight into outcomes achieved with specific treatment devices when used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyze real-world outcomes collected from a large cohort of people living with T1D and initiating treatment with the Omnipod DASH System.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, real-world outcomes were analyzed from a database of information collected from people with T1D initiating the Omnipod DASH System. Information in the database was either taken directly from the patient's medical record or self-reported if medical records were unavailable. The primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline (before initiation) to 3 months after initiation. Secondary outcomes were changes in total daily dose of insulin (TDD) and self-reported frequency of hypoglycemic events (< 70 mg/dL). Results are separated for the adult (≥ 18 years, N = 3341) and pediatric (< 18 years, N = 1397) cohorts.

RESULTS

The change in HbA1c from baseline was  - 0.9 ± 1.6% ( - 10 ± 18 mmol/mol; p < 0.0001) in adults and   - 0.9 ± 2.0% ( - 10 ± 22 mmol/mol; p < 0.0001) in the pediatric cohort. For those previously using multiple daily injections, HbA1c decreased by  - 1.0 ± 1.7% ( - 11 ± 19 mmol/mol) in adults and   - 1.0 ± 2.1% ( - 11 ± 23 mmol/mol) in the pediatric cohort (both p < 0.0001). Hypoglycemic events decreased in adults from 2.9 to 1.3 episodes per week ( - 1.6 ± 3.2 events/week; p < 0.0001), and in the pediatric cohort from 2.8 to 1.5 episodes per week ( - 1.3 ± 2.7 events/week; p < 0.0001). In adults, TDD decreased by 19.9% (p < 0.0001), and it remained stable in the pediatric cohort (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Real-world outcomes from this large cohort of people initiating therapy with the Omnipod DASH System showed significant improvement in HbA1c and a substantial reduction in hypoglycemic events after 3 months of use.

The Role of Platelets in Hypoglycemia-Induced Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of the Literature

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally as well as the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Results from large interventional studies have suggested hyperglycemia and poor glycemic control to be largely responsible for the development of CVDs. However, the association between hypoglycemia and cardiovascular events is also a key pathophysiological factor in the development of CVDs. Hypoglycemia is especially prevalent in T2D patients treated with oral sulfonylurea agents or exogenous insulin, increasing the susceptibility of this population to cardiovascular events. The adverse cardiovascular risk of hypoglycemia can persist even after the blood glucose levels have been normalized. Hypoglycemia may lead to vascular disease through mechanisms such as enhanced coagulation, oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and platelet activation. In the following review, we summarize the evidence for the role of hypoglycemia in platelet activation and the subsequent effects this may have on the development of CVD. In addition, we review current evidence for the effectiveness of therapies in reducing the risk of CVDs.

Recent progress and perspectives of continuous in vivo testing device

Devices for continuous in-vivo testing (CIVT) can detect target substances in real time, thus providing a valuable window into a patient's condition, their response to therapeutics, metabolic activities, and neurotransmitter transmission in the brain. Therefore, CIVT devices have received increased attention because they are expected to greatly assist disease diagnosis and treatment and research on human pathogenesis. However, CIVT has been achieved for only a few markers, and it remains challenging to detect many key markers. Therefore, it is important to summarize the key technologies and methodologies of CIVT, and to examine the direction of future development of CIVT. We review recent progress in the development of CIVT devices, with consideration of the structure of these devices, principles governing continuous detection, and nanomaterials used for electrode modification. This detailed and comprehensive review of CIVT devices serves three purposes: (1) to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of existing devices, (2) to provide a reference for development of CIVT equipment to detect additional important markers, and (3) to discuss future prospects with emphasis on problems that must be overcome for further development of CIVT equipment. This review aims to promote progress in research on CIVT devices and contribute to future innovation in personalized medical treatments.

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A detailed and comprehensive review of continuous in vivo testing device.

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The nanomaterials, delicate structures and detection principles of the works are discussed.

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The achievements and shortcomings of the existing devices are summarized.

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The problems that should be solved in the further development of the devices and the future prospects are put forward.

Evaluation of carbohydrate counting knowledge among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Carbohydrate counting (CC) is an important nutritional strategy to improve glycaemic outcomes among patients with diabetes. Few studies have investigated CC knowledge among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate CC knowledge in Saudi adults with T1DM.

Study design and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022, including 224 patients with T1DM from the University Diabetes Center, Riyadh. Adults aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with T1DM for >1 year, and residing in Saudi Arabia were included. CC knowledge was assessed using a previously well-studied tool (AdultCarbQuiz), which was translated into Arabic and tested for validity by a group of dieticians. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis, and bivariate and regression analyses were conducted.

Results

The AdultCarbQuiz questionnaire-Arabic version had good validity and reliability (Cronbach's α: 0.87). The CC method was used by 54% of the participants. The mean CC knowledge score was 23.01±7.31. A significant negative linear relationship between the participants' CC knowledge scores, and age and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, was revealed by simple regression analysis. Furthermore, significant independent variables related to CC knowledge scores were CC use, HbA1c levels, being taught about CC (>5 times), insulin pump usage and DM duration (≤15 years).

Conclusions

Approximately half of the patients used the CC method. The mean CC knowledge scores were better in patients who used the CC method, were more frequently taught about CC, were treated using an insulin pump, and had a shorter DM duration than their counterparts. Therefore, designing and implementing a well-structured nutrition education programme tailored to individuals with diabetes is crucial to provide them with up-to-date dietary information, as well as the necessary knowledge and skills, to improve their outcomes and manage their condition.

Insulin Pump Therapy Efficacy and Key Factors Influencing Adherence in Pediatric Population-A Narrative Review

Objective: we aimed to highlight the state of the art in terms of pediatric population adherence to insulin pumps. This study intends to underline the significance of identifying and minimizing, to the greatest extent feasible, the factors that adversely affect the juvenile population's adherence to insulin pump therapy. Materials and methods: articles from PubMed, Embase, and Science Direct databases were evaluated using the following search terms: adherence, pump insulin therapy, children, pediatric population, and type 1 diabetes, in combination with several synonyms such as compliance, treatment adherence, pump adherence, patient dropouts, and treatment refusal. Results: A better glycemic control is connected to a better adherence to diabetes management. We identify, enumerate, and discuss a number of variables which make it difficult to follow an insulin pump therapy regimen. Several key factors might improve adherence to insulin pump therapy: efficient communication between care provider and patients (including home-based video-visits), continuous diabetes education, family support and parental involvement, as well as informational, practical assistance, and emotional support from the society. Conclusions: every cause and obstacle that prevents young patients from adhering to insulin pumps optimally is an opportunity for intervention to improve glycemic control and, as a result, their quality of life.

Insulin pumps in children - a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Insulin pump therapy is a real breakthrough in managing diabetes Mellitus, particularly in children. It can deliver a tiny amount of insulin and decreases the need for frequent needle injections. It also helps to maintain adequate and optimal glycemic control to reduce the risk of metabolic derangements in different tissues. Children are suitable candidates for pump therapy as they need a more freestyle and proper metabolic control to ensure adequate growth and development. Therefore, children and their caregivers should have proper education and training and understand the proper use of insulin pumps to achieve successful pump therapy. The pump therapy continuously improves to enhance its performance and increase its simulation of the human pancreas. Nonetheless, there is yet a long way to reach the desired goal.

AIM

To review discusses the history of pump development, its indications, types, proper use, special conditions that may enface the children and their families while using the pump, its general care, and its advantages and disadvantages.

METHODS

We conducted comprehensive literature searches of electronic databases until June 30, 2022, related to pump therapy in children and published in the English language.

RESULTS

We included 118 articles concerned with insulin pumps, 61 were reviews, systemic reviews, and meta-analyses, 47 were primary research studies with strong design, and ten were guidelines.

CONCLUSION

The insulin pump provides fewer needles and can provide very tiny insulin doses, a convenient and more flexible way to modify the needed insulin physiologically, like the human pancreas, and can offer adequate and optimal glycemic control to reduce the risk of metabolic derangements in different tissues.

Efficacy and safety of ultra-rapid insulin analogues in insulin pumps in patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To assess the efficacy and safety of ultra-rapid insulin analogues used with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion systems (CSII) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM).

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and Cochrane Library up to May 2022 for randomized controlled trials comparing ultra-rapid with rapid-acting insulin analogues (RAIAs) used with CSII. We performed random effects meta-analyses for % of 24-h time in range of 70-180 mg/dl (TIR), time in hypoglycaemia (<70 mg/dl) and hyperglycaemia (>180 mg/dl), 1- and 2-hour post-prandial glucose [PPG] increment after a meal test, HbA1c and average insulin dose at endpoint, unplanned infusion set changes and severe hypoglycaemia.

RESULTS

Nine studies (1,156 participants) were included. Ultra-rapid insulins were superior to RAIAs on TIR (mean difference [MD] 1.1 %, 95 % CI 0.11-2.11), time spent in hypoglycaemia (MD -0.47 %, 95 % CI -0.63 to -30), and 1- and 2-hour PPG (MD -12.20 mg/dl, 95 % CI -19.85 to -4.54 and MD -17.61 mg/dl, 95 % CI -28.55 to -6.66, respectively). Ultra-rapid insulins increased odds of unplanned infusion set changes (odds ratio 1.60, 95 % CI 1.26-2.03).

CONCLUSION

Ultra-rapid acting insulins provided better PPG control compared to RAIAs but their use might result in more infusion set changes.

Type 1 diabetes and engineering enhanced islet transplantation

The development of new therapeutic approaches to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) relies on the precise understanding and deciphering of insulin-secreting β-cell biology, as well as the mechanisms responsible for their autoimmune destruction. β-cell or islet transplantation is viewed as a potential long-term therapy for the millions of patients with diabetes. To advance the field of insulin-secreting cell transplantation, two main research areas are currently investigated by the scientific community: (1) the identification of the developmental pathways that drive the differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells, providing an inexhaustible source of cells; and (2) transplantation strategies and engineered transplants to provide protection and enhance the functionality of transplanted cells. In this review, we discuss the biology of pancreatic β-cells, pathology of T1D and current state of β-cell differentiation. We give a comprehensive view and discuss the different possibilities to engineer enhanced insulin-secreting cell/islet transplantation from a translational perspective.

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 Relationship Between Different Bench Test Methodologies and Accuracy of Insulin Infusion Pumps: A Systematic Literature Review

Diabetes technology has rapidly evolved, and insulin infusion pumps (IIPs) have gained worldwide acceptance in diabetes care. The safety of medical equipment is highly discussed, imposing complex challenges in its use. The accuracy of IIPs can be determined through laboratory tests, generally following the IEC 60601-2-24 protocol. Studies have evaluated the accuracy and precision of IIPs, and there are discrepant results. So, we conducted a Systematic Literature Review to assess the methodologies used to evaluate the accuracy of IIPs, organizing the findings in a compiled perspective. The methodology was based on Kitchenham and Biolchini guidelines, and when possible it was carried out the Bayesian meta-analyses to compare the accuracy of IIPs. Most studies used the microgravimetric technique to evaluate the device accuracy, and some proposed adaptations for the standard protocol. The variation of results was recurrent, and the establishment of a protocol, especially to evaluate patch pumps, is necessary. The present study gives enough data to understand the scenario of the IIPs evaluation, as well as the different protocols that can be explored for its evaluation. This highlights the need for a reliable, practical, and low-cost methodology to assist the evaluation of IIPs.

Personalized insulin dose manipulation attack and its detection using interval-based temporal patterns and machine learning algorithms

Many patients with diabetes are currently being treated with insulin pumps and other diabetes devices which improve their quality of life and enable effective treatment of diabetes. These devices are connected wirelessly and thus, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks which have already been proven feasible. In this paper, we focus on two types of cyber-attacks on insulin pump systems: an overdose of insulin, which can cause hypoglycemia, and an underdose of insulin, which can cause hyperglycemia. Both of these attacks can result in a variety of complications and endanger a patient's life. Specifically, we propose a sophisticated and personalized insulin dose manipulation attack; this attack is based on a novel method of predicting the blood glucose (BG) level in response to insulin dose administration. To protect patients from the proposed sophisticated and malicious insulin dose manipulation attacks, we also present an automated machine learning based system for attack detection; the detection system is based on an advanced temporal pattern mining process, which is performed on the logs of real insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Our multivariate time-series data (MTSD) collection consists of 225,780 clinical logs, collected from real insulin pumps and CGMs of 47 patients with type I diabetes (13 adults and 34 children) from two different clinics at Soroka University Medical Center in Beer-Sheva, Israel over a four-year period. We enriched our data collection with additional relevant medical information related to the subjects. In the extensive experiments performed, we evaluated the proposed attack and detection system and examined whether: (1) it is possible to accurately predict BG levels in order to create malicious data that simulate a manipulation attack and the patient's body in response to it; (2) it is possible to automatically detect such attacks based on advanced machine learning (ML) methods that leverage temporal patterns; (3) the detection capabilities of the proposed detection system differ for insulin overdose and underdose attacks; and (4) the granularity of the learning model (general / adult vs. pediatric clinic / individual patient) affects the detection capabilities. Our results show that (a) it is possible to predict, with nearly 90% accuracy, BG levels using our proposed methods, and by doing so, enable malicious data creation for our detection system evaluation; (b) it is possible to accurately detect insulin manipulation attacks using temporal patterns mining using several ML methods, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, TPF class model, TPF top k, and ANN algorithms; (c) it is easier to detect an overdose attack than an underdose attack in more than 25%, in terms of AUC scores; and (d) the adult vs. pediatric model outperformed models of other granularities in the detection of overdose attacks, while the general model outperformed the other models in the case of detecting underdose attacks; for both attacks, attack detection among children was found to be more challenging than among adults. In addition to its use in the evaluation of our detection system, the proposed BG prediction method has great importance in the medical domain where it can contribute to improved care of patients with diabetes.

State of the Art in Smart Portable, Wearable, Ingestible and Implantable Devices for Health Status Monitoring and Disease Management

Several illnesses that are chronic and acute are becoming more relevant as the world's aging population expands, and the medical sector is transforming rapidly, as a consequence of which the need for "point-of-care" (POC), identification/detection, and real time management of health issues that have been required for a long time are increasing. Biomarkers are biological markers that help to detect status of health or disease. Biosensors' applications are for screening for early detection, chronic disease treatment, health management, and well-being surveillance. Smart devices that allow continual monitoring of vital biomarkers for physiological health monitoring, medical diagnosis, and assessment are becoming increasingly widespread in a variety of applications, ranging from biomedical to healthcare systems of surveillance and monitoring. The term "smart" is used due to the ability of these devices to extract data with intelligence and in real time. Wearable, implantable, ingestible, and portable devices can all be considered smart devices; this is due to their ability of smart interpretation of data, through their smart sensors or biosensors and indicators. Wearable and portable devices have progressed more and more in the shape of various accessories, integrated clothes, and body attachments and inserts. Moreover, implantable and ingestible devices allow for the medical diagnosis and treatment of patients using tiny sensors and biomedical gadgets or devices have become available, thus increasing the quality and efficacy of medical treatments by a significant margin. This article summarizes the state of the art in portable, wearable, ingestible, and implantable devices for health status monitoring and disease management and their possible applications. It also identifies some new technologies that have the potential to contribute to the development of personalized care. Further, these devices are non-invasive in nature, providing information with accuracy and in given time, thus making these devices important for the future use of humanity.

Advances in Nanomedicine Design: Multidisciplinary Strategies for Unmet Medical Needs

Globally, a rising burden of complex diseases takes a heavy toll on human lives and poses substantial clinical and economic challenges. This review covers nanomedicine and nanotechnology-enabled advanced drug delivery systems (DDS) designed to address various unmet medical needs. Key nanomedicine and DDSs, currently employed in the clinic to tackle some of these diseases, are discussed focusing on their versatility in diagnostics, anticancer therapy, and diabetes management. First-hand experiences from our own laboratory and the work of others are presented to provide insights into strategies to design and optimize nanomedicine- and nanotechnology-enabled DDS for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Computational analysis is also briefly reviewed as a technology for rational design of controlled release DDS. Further explorations of DDS have illuminated the interplay of physiological barriers and their impact on DDS. It is demonstrated how such delivery systems can overcome these barriers for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and how new perspectives of next-generation DDS can be applied clinically.

Pediatric Smart Insulin Pen Use: The Next Best Thing

In the pediatric population, insulin pump therapy, or CSII, is often considered the gold standard for intensive diabetes management. Insulin pump technology offers families and caregivers many beneficial features including a calculator for insulin dosing and the ability to review diabetes management data to provide data-driven diabetes management. However, for those who find CSII challenging or choose to use multiple daily injections (MDI) there is an option that offers similar features called the Smart Insulin Pen (SIP). Even though SIP technology provides a safe and data-driven diabetes self-management tool for the pediatric population using MDI, there is limited pediatric specific literature. This article will describe current options, data-driven diabetes management, benefits, challenges and clinical use of SIP technology in the pediatric population.

Patch Pumps: What are the advantages for people with diabetes?

AIM

Patch pumps, i.e. insulin pumps without tubing, are an attractive alternative to conventional insulin pumps for people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy. In this review, potential patient-relevant advantages and disadvantages of patch pumps are summarized and respective studies on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are assessed.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified through a systematic PubMed search. Reference lists in respective articles and Google Scholar were also checked for additional references. Articles in English published before June 30, 2021, were included; no other criteria on publication dates were set.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were included. The results of this analysis provide evidence that patch pumps improve quality of life, reduce diabetes-related distress, increase patient satisfaction, and are preferred by patients compared to conventional insulin pumps and multiple daily injection therapy (MDI). However, several methodological limitations of the studies identified constrain the significance of this analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the limited number of studies evaluating the benefits of patch pumps on PROs, there is increasing evidence that people with diabetes prefer patch pumps. Although there are numerous PROs for patch pumps, it is surprising that this aspect has been relatively understudied. More systematic evaluation studies of the benefits of patch pumps on PROs are needed.

Inequity in Adoption of Advanced Diabetes Technologies Among Medicare Fee-for-service Beneficiaries

CONTEXT

Health inequity is often associated with race-ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) among Medicare beneficiaries with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by race-ethnicity, and to compare diabetes-related technology users with nonusers.

DESIGN

The prevalence of technology use (pump, CGM) was determined by race-ethnicity for enrollees in coverage years (CY) 2017-2019 in the Medicare fee-for-service database. Using CY2019 data, technology users were compared with nonusers by race-ethnicity, sex, average age, Medicare eligibility criteria, and visit to an endocrinologist.

SETTING

Community.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Beneficiaries with T1D and at least 1 inpatient or 2 outpatient claims in a CY.

INTERVENTION(S)

Pump or CGM therapy, visit to an endocrinologist.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Diabetes-related technology use by race-ethnicity groups.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2019, CGM and insulin pump use increased among all groups. Prevalence of insulin pump use was < 5% for Black and Other beneficiaries yet increased from 14% to 18% among White beneficiaries. In CY2019, 57% of White patients used a pump compared with 33.1% of Black and 30.3% of Other patients (P < 0.001). Black patients were more likely than White patients to be eligible because of disability/end-stage renal disease or to be Medicare/Medicaid eligible (both P < 0.001), whether using technology or not. Significant race-ethnicity differences (P < 0.001) existed between technology users and nonusers for all evaluated factors except visiting an endocrinologist.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant race-ethnicity associated differences existed in T1D management. The gap in diabetic technology adoption between Black and White beneficiaries grew between 2017 and 2019.

Gestational and pregestational diabetes in pregnant women with cystic fibrosis

As cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies offer greater longevity and improved health quality, women living with cystic fibrosis (CF) are increasingly pursuing pregnancy. Maternal risks for pregnant women with CF largely depend on a woman's baseline pulmonary and pancreatic function, and the majority of CF pregnancies will successfully end in live births. Diabetes, either gestational or pre-existing cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), is highly prevalent in women with CF, affecting 18 to 62% of pregnancies in recent CF center reports. In addition to the rising incidence of CFRD with age, gestational diabetes is also more common in women with CF due to lower insulin secretion, higher insulin resistance, and increased hepatic glucose production as compared to pregnant women without CF. Diabetes occurring during pregnancy has important implications for maternal and fetal health. It is well established in women without CF that glycemic control is directly associated with risks of fetal malformation, neonatal-perinatal mortality, cesarean delivery and need for neonatal intensive care. Small studies in women with CF suggest that pregnancies affected by diabetes have an increased risk of preterm delivery, lower gestational age, and lower fetal birth weight compared to those without diabetes. Women with CF preparing for pregnancy should be counseled on the risks of diabetes and should undergo routine screening for CFRD with oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) if not already completed in the past six months. Glycemic control in those with pre-gestational CFRD should be optimized prior to conception. Insulin is preferred for the management of diabetes in pregnant women with CF via multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy, and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can be useful in mitigating hypoglycemia risks. Women with CF face many unique challenges impacting diabetes care during pregnancy and would benefit from support by a multidisciplinary care team, including nutrition and endocrinology, to ensure healthy pregnancies.

Recent advancement in noninvasive glucose monitoring and closed-loop management system for diabetes

Diabetes can cause many complications, which has become one of the most common diseases that may lead to death. Currently, the number of diabetics continues increasing year by year. Thus,...

Therapeutics for type-2 diabetes mellitus: a glance at the recent inclusions and novel agents under development for use in clinical practice

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, progressive, and multifaceted illness resulting in significant physical and psychological detriment to patients. As of 2019, 463 million people are estimated to be living with DM worldwide, out of which 90% have type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Over the years, significant progress has been made in identifying the risk factors for developing T2DM, understanding its pathophysiology and uncovering various metabolic pathways implicated in the disease process. This has culminated in the implementation of robust prevention programmes and the development of effective pharmacological agents, which have had a favourable impact on the management of T2DM in recent times. Despite these advances, the incidence and prevalence of T2DM continue to rise. Continuing research in improving efficacy, potency, delivery and reducing the adverse effect profile of currently available formulations is required to keep pace with this growing health challenge. Moreover, new metabolic pathways need to be targeted to produce novel pharmacotherapy to restore glucose homeostasis and address metabolic sequelae in patients with T2DM. We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases for recently included agents and novel medication under development for treatment of T2DM. We discuss the pathophysiology of T2DM and review how the emerging anti-diabetic agents target the metabolic pathways involved. We also look at some of the limiting factors to developing new medication and the introduction of unique methods, including facilitating drug delivery to bypass some of these obstacles. However, despite the advances in the therapeutic options for the treatment of T2DM in recent years, the industry still lacks a curative agent.

Perceptions and Understanding of Diabetes Mellitus Technology in Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 DM: A Pilot Survey from Pakistan

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus technology (DMT) is increasingly used for routine management in developed countries, yet its uptake in developing countries is not as consistent. Multiple factors may influence this, including country specific patient perception regarding DMT. We conducted a pilot study in Pakistan to understand this important question which has not been studied yet.

METHODS

A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in Pakistan. An anonymous survey exploring perceptions of diabetes technology was circulated on social media platforms, collecting responses over 2 weeks. Target population included adults (≥18 years) living in Pakistan, with DM1 or 2.

RESULTS

A total of 40 responses were received. The majority (36/40) reported using conventional glucometers. Nine used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Thirty-two of 40 patients believed DMT improved diabetes care, 22 felt it helped decreased risk of Diabetes-related complications. 15/40 stated that DMT results in increased cost of care. Sixteen reported their diabetes care teams had never discussed wearable DMT options whereas 11 disliked them because they did not want a device on their self.

CONCLUSION

In our pilot study we have identified broad themes of opportunity and challenges to DMT use in Pakistan. Patients' perceptions regarding DMT were generally positive but significant barriers to its acceptance included high cost, lack of discussion between doctor and patient about available technology and personal hesitation. Limitations of our study include sampling bias (online survey) and small sample size, but this data can help inform larger studies, to look at this important topic in greater detail.

100 years on: the impact of the discovery of insulin on clinical outcomes

Throughout history, up to the early part of the 20th century, diabetes has been a devastating disorder, particularly when diagnosed in childhood when it was usually fatal. Consequently, the successful pancreatic extraction of insulin in 1921 was a miraculous, life-changing advance. In this review, the truly transformative effect that insulin has had on the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and on those with type 2 diabetes who are also dependent on insulin is described, from the time of its first successful use to the present day. We have highlighted in turn how each of the many facets of improvements over the last century, from advancements in the properties of insulin and its formulations to the evolution of different methods of delivery, have led to continued improvement in clinical outcomes, through the use of illustrative stories from history and from our own clinical experiences. This review concludes with a brief look at the current challenges and where the next century of technological innovation in insulin therapy may take us.

Increasing Insulin Pump Use Among 12- to 26-Year-Olds With Type 1 Diabetes: Results From the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative

Insulin pump therapy in pediatric type 1 diabetes has been associated with better glycemic control than multiple daily injections. However, insulin pump use remains limited. This article describes an initiative from the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative aimed at increasing insulin pump use in patients aged 12-26 years with type 1 diabetes from a baseline of 45% in May 2018 to >50% by February 2020. Interventions developed by participating centers included increasing in-person and telehealth education about insulin pump technology, creating and distributing tools to assist in informed decision-making, facilitating insulin pump insurance approval and onboarding processes, and improving clinic staff knowledge about insulin pumps. These efforts yielded a 13% improvement in pump use among the five participating centers, from 45 to 58% over 22 months.

Multicenter Trial of a Tubeless, On-Body Automated Insulin Delivery System With Customizable Glycemic Targets in Pediatric and Adult Participants With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Advances in diabetes technology have transformed the treatment paradigm for type 1 diabetes, yet the burden of disease is significant. We report on a pivotal safety study of the first tubeless, on-body automated insulin delivery system with customizable glycemic targets.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This single-arm, multicenter, prospective study enrolled 112 children (age 6-13.9 years) and 129 adults (age 14-70 years). A 2-week standard therapy phase (usual insulin regimen) was followed by 3 months of automated insulin delivery. Primary safety outcomes were incidence of severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Primary effectiveness outcomes were change in HbA_1c and percent time in sensor glucose range 70-180 mg/dL ("time in range").

RESULTS

A total of 235 participants (98% of enrolled, including 111 children and 124 adults) completed the study. HbA_1c was significantly reduced in children by 0.71% (7.8 mmol/mol) (mean ± SD: 7.67 ± 0.95% to 6.99 ± 0.63% [60 ± 10.4 mmol/mol to 53 ± 6.9 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001) and in adults by 0.38% (4.2 mmol/mol) (7.16 ± 0.86% to 6.78 ± 0.68% [55 ± 9.4 mmol/mol to 51 ± 7.4 mmol/mol], P < 0.0001). Time in range was improved from standard therapy by 15.6 ± 11.5% or 3.7 h/day in children and 9.3 ± 11.8% or 2.2 h/day in adults (both P < 0.0001). This was accomplished with a reduction in time in hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL among adults (median [interquartile range]: 2.00% [0.63, 4.06] to 1.09% [0.46, 1.75], P < 0.0001), while this parameter remained the same in children. There were three severe hypoglycemia events not attributable to automated insulin delivery malfunction and one diabetic ketoacidosis event from an infusion site failure.

CONCLUSIONS

This tubeless automated insulin delivery system was safe and allowed participants to significantly improve HbA_1c levels and time in target glucose range with a very low occurrence of hypoglycemia.

Initiating hybrid closed loop: A program evaluation of an educator-led Control-IQ follow-up at a large pediatric clinic

BACKGROUND

Control-IQ (Tandem Diabetes) is a hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system that users self-initiate after completing online training. Best practices for clinical follow-up are not known. Our quality improvement objective was to evaluate the usefulness of an educator-led follow-up program for new HCL users in a type 1 diabetes pediatric clinic.

METHODS

We implemented an ''HCLCheck-in'' program, first determining when users started HCL, then having diabetes educators contact them for a follow-up call 2-weeks after start. Educators used a Clinical Tool to inform insulin dose and behavior recommendations, and used four benchmarks to determine need for further follow-up: ≥71% HCL use, ≥71% CGM use, ≥60% Time-in-Range (TIR, 70-180 mg/dL), <5% below 70 mg/dL. Family and educator satisfaction were surveyed.

RESULTS

One-hundred-twenty-three youth [mean age 13.6 ± 3.7 y, 53.7% female, mean HbA1c 7.6 ± 1.4% (60 mmol/mol)] completed an HCLCheck-in call a median (IQR) of 18(15, 21) days post-HCL start. 74 users (60%) surpassed benchmarks with 94% HCL use and 71% TIR. Of the 49 who did not, 16 completed a second call, and improved median TIR 12.5% (p = 0.03). HCL users reported high satisfaction with the program overall [median 10 (9, 10) out of 10]. Educators spent a median of 45 (32,70) minutes per user and rated satisfaction with the program as 8 (7,9.5) and the Tool as 9 (9, 10).

CONCLUSION

Our HCLCheck-in program received high satisfaction ratings and resulted in improved TIR for those initially not meeting benchmarks, suggesting users may benefit from early follow-up. Similar programs may be beneficial for other new technologies.

Wearable patch delivery system for artificial pancreas health diagnostic-therapeutic application: A review

The advanced stimuli-responsive approaches for on-demand drug delivery systems have received tremendous attention as they have great potential to be integrated with sensing and multi-functional electronics on a flexible and stretchable single platform (all-in-one concept) in order to develop skin-integration with close-loop sensation for personalized diagnostic and therapeutic application. The wearable patch pumps have evolved from reservoir-based to matrix patch and drug-in-adhesive (single-layer or multi-layer) type. In this review, we presented the basic requirements of an artificial pancreas, surveyed the design and technologies used in commercial patch pumps available on the market and provided general information about the latest wearable patch pump. We summarized the various advanced delivery strategies with their mechanisms that have been developed to date and representative examples. Mechanical, electrical, light, thermal, acoustic and glucose-responsive approaches on patch form have been successfully utilized in the controllable transdermal drug delivery manner. We highlighted key challenges associated with wearable transdermal delivery systems, their research direction and future development trends.

Review of the Omnipod® 5 Automated Glucose Control System Powered by Horizon™ for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a medical condition that requires constant management, including monitoring of blood glucose levels and administration of insulin. Advancements in diabetes technology have offered methods to reduce the burden on people with T1D. Several hybrid closed-loop systems are commercially available or in clinical trials, each with unique features to improve care for patients with T1D. This article reviews the Omnipod® 5 Automated Glucose Control System Powered by Horizon™ and the safety and efficacy data to support its use in the management of T1D.