Assessment of the effectiveness of long-term insulin pump therapy using a combined goal of HbA1c decrease and absence of severe hypoglycemia

Serial album on Continuous Insulin Infusion System as an innovative educational technology in diabetes

OBJECTIVE

to build and validate a serial album content and appearance on insulin therapy using a Continuous Infusion System.

METHOD

a methodological study, carried out in three stages in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from August to November 2018. The serial album construction and content and appearance validity were carried out by experts, and assessment, by the target audience. Content Validity Index and Concordance Index were calculated.

RESULTS

the judges considered the serial album content and appearance to be valid, which means that the material is suitable as an educational technology. Experts suggested adjustments, incorporated into the material for print production of the final version. The target audience also assessed the serial album positively.

CONCLUSION

we realized that the serial album was considered an innovative educational technology in diabetes, valuable for promoting knowledge about Continuous Insulin Infusion System, with rich, updated content, combined with clarity, suitable format and explanatory illustrations.

Álbum seriado sobre Sistema de Infusão Contínua de Insulina como tecnologia educativa inovadora no diabetes

RESUMO Objetivo: construir e validar conteúdo e aparência de álbum seriado sobre insulinoterapia por Sistema de Infusão Contínua. Método: estudo metodológico, realizado em três etapas em Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil, nos meses de agosto a novembro de 2018. Realizou-se a construção do álbum seriado e a validação de conteúdo e aparência pelos especialistas, e avaliação do público-alvo. Calcularam-se Índice de Validade de Conteúdo e Índice de Concordância. Resultados: os juízes consideraram válidos o conteúdo e a aparência do álbum, o que representa que o material é adequado como tecnologia educativa. Os especialistas sugeriram ajustes, incorporados ao material para produção impressa da versão final. O público-alvo também avaliou de forma positiva o álbum seriado. Conclusão: percebemos que o álbum seriado foi considerado uma tecnologia educacional inovadora em diabetes, valiosa para a promoção do conhecimento sobre Sistema de Infusão Contínua de Insulina, com conteúdo rico, atualizado, aliado à clareza, formato adequado e ilustrações explicativas.

Couples Managing Type 1 Diabetes Using Diabetes Technology

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes technology has improved the lives of people with diabetes (PWD), but there is little research on how insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) affect couples' relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine how the use of diabetes technology affects couple interactions.

METHODS

In a secondary data analysis, we used a multiple-method qualitative analysis, including a constant-comparison approach, to examine similarities and differences in couple interactions related to diabetes technology. PWD and their spouses were interviewed separately, using a semi-structured interview guide; the interviews primarily focused on how couples coped with type 1 diabetes.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 134 couples) were using an insulin pump or CGM system. Average age was 44 ± 12.05 years for PWD and 44 ± 12.62 years for spouses. Couples' average length of relationship was 18 ± 12.50 years. Among the PWD, 54 used a pump only, 12 used CGM only, and 68 used both. Four main themes emerged: 1) diabetes technology facilitates shared diabetes management for couples, 2) diabetes technology facilitates spousal involvement in diabetes care, 3) diabetes technology is a source of relationship tension, and 4) diabetes technology causes positive/negative responses to sleep and alarms.

CONCLUSION

Overall, couples perceived diabetes technology as having a positive effect on their relationship by increasing collaboration, promoting communication, and reducing diabetes burden and vigilance. Technology also was perceived to increase relationship tension, lifestyle inconveniences, and positive/negative responses regarding sleep and alarms. Involvement of spouses in diabetes technology education should be considered.

The diabetes quality of life brief clinical inventory in combination with the management strategies in type 1 diabetes mellitus with or without the use of insulin pump

Aims

The aims of this study are to evaluate any differences in the Quality of life among Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) and Multiple Dose Injection (MDI) insulin delivery, applying the Diabetes Quality of life Brief Clinical Inventory (DQoL-BCI) questionnaire, and assess the diabetes management strategies between the two groups.

Methods

One hundred and ten adult participants (male/female ratio 1:2.7) with type 1 diabetes were recruited in this online survey. Forty-eight of them were using CSII and the rest 62 (were using) MDI insulin delivery. A 23-item socio-demographic/diabetes management strategies questionnaire and the 15-item DQoL-BCI were administered.

Results

CSII users scored statistically, significantly better at the satisfaction treatment subscale (p = 0.032) of the DQoL-BCI and emerged that they were implemented more management strategies such as dietician guidance services (p = 0.002), carbohydrate education seminars (p = 0.03). Predictive factors were also detected regarding the HbA_1c < 7% (53 mmol/mol) and β-coefficients in relation to DQoL-BCI questionnaire with the subscales of a negative impact and satisfaction treatment.

Conclusion

Diabetes self-management education plays a key role to a better compliance with the treatment. Client-centered multidisciplinary centers in T1DM education are essential so that they be applicable for all T1DM patients irrespective of the type of insulin delivery they used.

Long-term effects of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus patients: Results of a public healthcare system

AIM

To evaluate the long-term clinical effect of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in adult type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients in a regional public healthcare system real-world scenario.

METHODS

All adult T1DM patients on CSII for ≥10 years subjected to follow-up in the regional Castilla-La Mancha Public Health Service were included. The primary efficacy outcome was the variation in HbA_1c during follow-up. Direct patient data were compiled through the web-based Spanish national registry on CSII therapy.

RESULTS

A total of 69 T1DM adult patients were treated with insulin pumps for ≥10 years in our region. The mean age was 45.0±10.5 years, with a T1DM duration of 13.9±8.5 years. The mean duration of CSII therapy was 11.4±2.1 years. The main indications for treatment were high glucose variability (39%), problematic hypoglycemia (26%), and HbA_1c >53mmol/mol (7%) on multiple daily injections (20%). Sensor-augmented pump therapy was used by 31% of the patients. Glycosylated hemoglobin did not change during follow-up (58±11mmol/mol vs. 58±11mmol/mol; 7.5±1.0 vs. 7.5±1.0; p=0.66). However, the percentage of patients with at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia during the last year and unnoticed hypoglycemia decreased from 36% to 7% (p=0.006) and from 38% to 32% (p<0.001), respectively. The proportion of subjects with ≥1 episode of diabetic ketoacidosis in the last year decreased from 30% to 6% (p=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

The reduction of severe hypoglycemia without deterioration of glycemic control can be sustained over long-term CSII therapy.