Association of Metformin With the Development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Importance

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness with no treatment available for early stages. Retrospective studies have shown an association between metformin and reduced risk of AMD.

Objective

To investigate the association between metformin use and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Design, Setting, and Participants

The Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study is a cross-sectional follow-up phase of a large multicenter randomized clinical trial, Diabetes Prevention Program (1996-2001), to investigate the association of treatment with metformin or an intensive lifestyle modification vs placebo with preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in a population at high risk for developing diabetes. Participants with retinal imaging at a follow-up visit 16 years posttrial (2017-2019) were included. Analysis took place between October 2019 and May 2022.

Interventions

Participants were randomly distributed between 3 interventional arms: lifestyle, metformin, and placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Prevalence of AMD in the treatment arms.

Results

Of 1592 participants, 514 (32.3%) were in the lifestyle arm, 549 (34.5%) were in the metformin arm, and 529 (33.2%) were in the placebo arm. All 3 arms were balanced for baseline characteristics including age (mean [SD] age at randomization, 49 [9] years), sex (1128 [71%] male), race and ethnicity (784 [49%] White), smoking habits, body mass index, and education level. AMD was identified in 479 participants (30.1%); 229 (14.4%) had early AMD, 218 (13.7%) had intermediate AMD, and 32 (2.0%) had advanced AMD. There was no significant difference in the presence of AMD between the 3 groups: 152 (29.6%) in the lifestyle arm, 165 (30.2%) in the metformin arm, and 162 (30.7%) in the placebo arm. There was also no difference in the distribution of early, intermediate, and advanced AMD between the intervention groups. Mean duration of metformin use was similar for those with and without AMD (mean [SD], 8.0 [9.3] vs 8.5 [9.3] years; P = .69). In the multivariate models, history of smoking was associated with increased risks of AMD (odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.61; P = .02).

Conclusions and Relevance

These data suggest neither metformin nor lifestyle changes initiated for diabetes prevention were associated with the risk of any AMD, with similar results for AMD severity. Duration of metformin use was also not associated with AMD. This analysis does not address the association of metformin with incidence or progression of AMD.

US Nurses’ Perceptions of Their Role in Diabetes Care

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine nurse and physician perceptions of nurse involvement and roles in diabetes care.

METHODS

The study used a cross-sectional design with face-to-face or telephone interviews of diabetes health care professionals in 13 countries from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. This article focuses on the data from US health care providers. The US sample included 51 generalist nurses, 50 diabetes specialist nurses, 166 generalist physicians, and 50 diabetes specialist physicians.

RESULTS

Nurses and physicians agreed that nurses should take a larger role in managing diabetes. Most common differences identified between nurses and physicians were that nurses provide better education, spend more time with patients, were better listeners, and knew their patients better than physicians. All nurses had a high perceived need for better understanding of psychosocial issues and were more likely than physicians to suggest helping patients to take responsibility for their care. Nurses more than physicians also said better communication was needed. Generalist nurses report that they act as intermediaries and facilitate patient appointment keeping. Specialist nurses talk to patients about self-management, teach medication management, have a higher level of involvement in medication prescribing, and are more willing to take on additional responsibilities than generalist nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an increased need for more involvement by nurses, particularly specialist nurses, in diabetes care.

The Effect of a Diabetes Education Program Incorporating Coping Skills Training on Emotional Well-Being and Diabetes Self-Efficacy

This study examines the effects on emotional well-being and diabetes-related competence of an intensive education program taught by a multidisciplinary staff, including mental health professionals who taught diabetes-specific coping skills. Ninety-one adults who participated in the program completed the entire research protocol and follow-ups at 6-months and 12-months. The study assessed depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and diabetes-specific knowledge and self-efficacy. Participants improved initially on all measures and maintained the improvements at 1-year follow-up on measures of anxiety, self-esteem, and diabetes-specific knowledge and self-efficacy The implications of these findings for the design of educational interventions are discussed.

Development and validation of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire-Short Form

AIMS

To develop and validate a short form of the 54-item Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire that maintains the domains and performance characteristics of the long-form questionnaire.

METHODS

Data from the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire validation study were analysed to select items representing the nine scales (convenience, negative events, interference, self-monitoring of blood glucose burden, efficacy, social burden, psychological well-being, treatment satisfaction and treatment preference). The resulting 20-item Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form was administered online, with validated criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and medication adherence, with a retest within 2 weeks. Participants were US adults (N = 413) with Type 2 diabetes using oral agents alone; insulin by syringe and/or pen with or without oral agents; or glucagon-like peptide-1 agents. Most participants (82%) completed the retest.

RESULTS

The median inter-item agreement of scales was 0.76 and the total composite (mean of all items except treatment preference) was 0.88. The median test-retest reliability of scales was 0.86, and of the total composite was 0.95. All statistically significant correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form scales and criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and adherence were in the expected direction. The median correlation of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form with corresponding criterion measures of treatment satisfaction was 0.59; the mean correlation of the same Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form measures with adherence was 0.42. The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form scales were more powerful predictors of adherence than were the criterion measures of treatment satisfaction. The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form scales differentiated between those taking different medications and between those using different insulin delivery devices.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire Short-Form provides a comprehensive set of measures with acceptable reliability and validity and a reduced burden of administration.

Artificial pancreas (AP) clinical trial participants' acceptance of future AP technology

BACKGROUND

Artificial pancreas (AP) systems are currently an active field of diabetes research. This pilot study examined the attitudes of AP clinical trial participants toward future acceptance of the technology, having gained firsthand experience.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

After possible influencers of AP technology adoption were considered, a 34-question questionnaire was developed. The survey assessed current treatment satisfaction, dimensions of clinical trial participant motivation, and variables of the technology acceptance model (TAM). Forty-seven subjects were contacted to complete the survey. The reliability of the survey scales was tested using Cronbach's α. The relationship of the factors to the likelihood of AP technology adoption was explored using regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six subjects (76.6%) completed the survey. Of the respondents, 86.1% were either highly likely or likely to adopt the technology once available. Reliability analysis of the survey dimensions revealed good internal consistency, with scores of >0.7 for current treatment satisfaction, convenience (motivation), personal health benefit (motivation), perceived ease of use (TAM), and perceived usefulness (TAM). Linear modeling showed that future acceptance of the AP was significantly associated with TAM and the motivation variables of convenience plus the individual item benefit to others (R(2)=0.26, P=0.05). When insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor use were added, the model significance improved (R(2)=0.37, P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated that individuals with direct AP technology experience expressed high likelihood of future acceptance. Results support the factors of personal benefit, convenience, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use as reliable scales that suggest system adoption in this highly motivated patient population.

Impact of intensive lifestyle intervention on depression and health-related quality of life in type 2 diabetes: the Look AHEAD Trial

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), compared with a diabetes support and education (DSE) control intervention, on long-term changes in depression symptoms, antidepressant medication (ADM) use, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Look AHEAD was a multisite randomized controlled trial of 5,145 overweight/obese participants assigned to ILI (designed to produce weight loss) or DSE and followed for a median of 9.6 years. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered at baseline, annually at years 1-4, and again at year 8. Mean BDI scores and incidence of BDI scores ≥10, indicative of likely mild or greater depression, were examined. Annually through year 10, participants reported their ADM use and completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, which yields physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores.

RESULTS

ILI significantly reduced the incidence of mild or greater depression symptoms (BDI scores ≥10) compared with DSE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85; 95% CI 0.75-0.97; P = 0.0145). Although SF-36 PCS scores worsened over time in both groups, ILI participants reported better physical function than DSE throughout the first 8 years (all P values <0.01). There were no significant differences between treatment arms in the proportion of participants who used ADMs or in SF-36 MCS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

ILI for overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of developing clinically significant symptoms of depression and preserve physical HRQoL. These findings should be considered when evaluating the potential benefits of ILIs.

Examining behavioral processes through which lifestyle interventions promote weight loss: results from PREMIER

OBJECTIVE

To examine the behavioral processes through which lifestyle interventions impacted weight loss.

METHODS

The analyses were limited to overweight and obese Black and White adults randomized to a PREMIER lifestyle intervention (N = 501). Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the direct and indirect relationships of session attendance, days of self-monitoring diet and exercise, change in diet composition and exercise, and 6-month weight change.

RESULTS

Greater session attendance was associated with increased self-monitoring, which was in turn significantly related to reduction in percent energy from total fat consumed. Change in percent energy from fat and self-monitoring was associated with 6-month percent change in weight. Both a decrease in fat intake and increase in self-monitoring are potential mediators of the relationship between attendance and weight change.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide a reasonable model that suggests regular session attendance and use of behavioral strategies like self-monitoring are associated with improved behavioral outcomes that are associated with weight loss.

Options for prandial glucose management in type 2 diabetes patients using basal insulin: addition of a short-acting GLP-1 analogue versus progression to basal-bolus therapy

Integrating patient-centered diabetes care and algorithmic medicine poses particular challenges when optimized basal insulin fails to maintain glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Multiple entwined physiological, psychosocial and systems barriers to insulin adherence are not easily studied and are not adequately considered in most treatment algorithms. Moreover, the limited number of alternatives to add-on prandial insulin therapy has hindered shared decision-making, a central feature of patient-centered care. This article considers how the addition of a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogue to basal insulin may provide new opportunities at this stage of treatment, especially for patients concerned about weight gain and risk of hypoglycaemia. A flexible framework for patient-clinician discussions is presented to encourage development of decision-support tools applicable to both specialty and primary care practice.

Patient-reported outcomes in the practice-based opportunities for weight reduction (POWER) trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate effects of two behavioral weight-loss interventions (in-person, remote) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) compared to a control intervention.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty-one obese US adults with at least one cardiovascular risk factor completed five measures of HRQOL and depression: MOS SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary; EuroQoL-5 dimensions single index and visual analog scale; PHQ-8 depression symptoms; and PSQI sleep quality scores at baseline and 6 and 24 months after randomization. Change in each outcome was analyzed using outcome-specific mixed-effects models controlling for participant demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

PCS-12 scores over 24 months improved more among participants in the in-person active intervention arm than among control arm participants (P < 0.05, ES = 0.21); there were no other statistically significant treatment arm differences in HRQOL change. Greater weight loss was associated with improvements in most outcomes (P < 0.05 to < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants in the in-person active intervention improved more in physical function HRQOL than participants in the control arm did. Greater weight loss during the study was associated with greater improvement in all PRO except for sleep quality, suggesting that weight loss is a key factor in improving HRQOL.

Impact of diagnosis of diabetes on health-related quality of life among high risk individuals: the Diabetes Prevention Program outcomes study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess if diagnosis of type 2 diabetes affected health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program/Diabetes Prevention Program Outcome Study and changes with treatment or diabetes duration.

METHODS

3,210 participants with pre-diabetes were randomized to metformin (MET), intensive lifestyle intervention (ILS), or placebo (PLB). HRQoL was assessed using the SF-36 including: (1) 8 SF-36 subscales; (2) the physical component (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores; and (3) the SF-6D. The sample was categorized by diabetes free versus diagnosed. For diagnosed subgroup, mean scores in the diabetes-free period, at 6 months, 2, 4 and 6 years post-diagnosis, were compared.

RESULTS

PCS and SF-6D scores declined in all participants in all treatment arms (P < .001). MCS scores did not change significantly in any treatment arm regardless of diagnosis. ILS participants reported a greater decrease in PCS scores at 6 months post-diagnosis (P < .001) and a more rapid decline immediately post-diagnosis in SF-6D scores (P = .003) than the MET or PLB arms. ILS participants reported a significant decrease in the social functioning subscale at 6 months (P < .001) and two years (P < .001) post-diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants reported a decline in measures of overall health state (SF-6D) and overall physical HRQoL, whether or not they were diagnosed with diabetes during the study. There was no change in overall mental HRQoL. Participants in the ILS arm with diabetes reported a more significant decline in some HRQoL measures than those in the MET and PLB arms that developed diabetes.

Four-year analysis of cardiovascular disease risk factors, depression symptoms, and antidepressant medicine use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial of weight loss in diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of depressive symptoms or antidepressant medicine (ADM) use with subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor status in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial of weight loss in type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Participants (n = 5,145; age [mean ± SD] 58.7 ± 6.8 years; BMI 35.8 ± 5.8 kg/m(2)) in two study arms (intensive lifestyle [ILI], diabetes support and education [DSE]) completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), reported ADM use, and were assessed for CVD risk factors at baseline and annually for 4 years. Risk factor-positive status was defined as current smoking, obesity, HbA1c >7.0% or insulin use, and blood pressure or cholesterol not at levels recommended by expert consensus panel or medicine to achieve recommended levels. Generalized estimating equations assessed within-study arm relationships of elevated BDI score (≥11) or ADM use with subsequent year CVD risk status, controlled for demographic variables, CVD history, diabetes duration, and prior CVD risk status.

RESULTS

Prior year elevated BDI was associated with subsequent CVD risk factor-positive status for the DSE arm (A1C [odds ratio 1.30 (95% CI 1.09-1.56)]; total cholesterol [0.80 (0.65-1.00)]; i.e., protective from high total cholesterol) and the ILI arm (HDL [1.40 (1.12-1.75)], triglyceride [1.28 (1.00-1.64)]). Prior year ADM use predicted subsequent elevated CVD risk status for the DSE arm (HDL [1.24 (1.03-1.50)], total cholesterol [1.28 (1.05-1.57)], current smoking [1.73 (1.04-2.88)]) and for the ILI arm (A1C [1.25 (1.08-1.46)], HDL [1.32 (1.11-1.58)], triglycerides [1.75 (1.43-2.14)], systolic blood pressure [1.39 (1.11-1.74)], and obesity [1.46 (1.22-2.18)]).

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive monitoring of CVD risk in diabetic patients with depressive symptoms or who are treated with ADM may be warranted.

The impact of treatment non-compliance on mortality in people with type 1 diabetes

AIMS

To determine if a diagnostic record of poor treatment compliance (medication non-compliance and/or non-attendance at medical appointments) was associated with all-cause mortality in people with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

This is an observational cohort study of data extracted from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database, comprising data on patients served by over 350 primary care practices in the U.K. Participants were included in the study if they had diagnostic codes indicative of type 1 diabetes. Treatment non-compliance was defined as missing one or more scheduled appointment, or one or more codes indicating medication non-compliance.

RESULTS

Of 2946 patients with type 1 diabetes, 867 (29.4%) had a record of either appointment non-attendance or medication non-compliance in the 30 month compliance assessment period. The crude, unadjusted mortality rate for those patients who were treatment non-compliant was 1.462 (95% CI 0.954-2.205). Following adjustment for confounding factors, treatment non-compliance was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR=1.642; 95% CI 1.055-2.554).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment non-compliance was associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with type 1 diabetes. Understanding and addressing factors that contribute to patient treatment non-compliance will be important in improving the life expectancy of patients with type 1 diabetes.

Treatment satisfaction in the sensor-augmented pump therapy for A1C reduction 3 (STAR 3) trial

AIM

To identify insulin delivery system perceptions that contributed to improvements in overall satisfaction with insulin therapy (treatment satisfaction) that were larger in those using sensor-augmented pump therapy than those using multiple daily injections with self monitoring of blood glucose.

METHODS

The Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy for A1C Reduction 3 (STAR 3), a randomized 12-month clinical trial, compared sensor-augmented pump therapy to multiple daily injections + self monitoring of blood glucose in adult and paediatric patients. The Insulin Delivery System Rating Questionnaire measured perceptions of convenience, problems, interference with daily activities, blood glucose monitoring burden, social burden, clinical efficacy, diabetes worries and psychological well-being, as well as treatment satisfaction. We conducted separate multiple regression analyses for the 334 adult patients and 147 paediatric patients and their caregivers to assess the independent associations (P < 0.05) between change from baseline to follow-up in user perceptions and treatment satisfaction.

RESULTS

Increased convenience was associated with improved treatment satisfaction in all user groups. Reduced interference with daily activities (caregivers), reduced social burden (adults) and increased efficacy (both) also were associated with improved treatment satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment satisfaction among children was primarily a function of convenience, while perceived clinical efficacy was also a primary determinant among adults, reflecting different emphases on the treatment process itself vs. treatment consequences. Among adult patients and caregivers, improved treatment satisfaction was also a function of reductions in social burden and interference with daily activities (respectively), reflecting concern with the broader psychosocial impact of sensor-augmented pump therapy on their lives.

Depression as a predictor of weight regain among successful weight losers in the diabetes prevention program

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether depression symptoms or antidepressant medication use predicts weight regain in overweight individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) who are successful with initial weight loss.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,442 participants who successfully lost at least 3% of their baseline body weight after 12 months of participation in the randomized controlled Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) continued in their assigned treatment group (metformin, intensive lifestyle, or placebo) and were followed into the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcome Study (DPPOS). Weight regain was defined as a return to baseline DPP body weight. Participant weight and antidepressant medication use were assessed every 6 months. Depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] score ≥11) were assessed every 12 months.

RESULTS

Only 2.7% of the overall cohort had moderate to severe depression symptoms at baseline; most of the participants with BDI score ≥11 had only mild symptoms during the period of observation. In unadjusted analyses, both depression symptoms (hazard ratio 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67], P = 0.03) and antidepressant medication use at either the previous visit (1.72 [1.37-2.15], P < 0.0001) or cumulatively as percent of visits (1.005 [1.002-1.008], P = 0.0003) were predictors of subsequent weight regain. After adjustment for multiple covariates, antidepressant use remained a significant predictor of weight regain (P < 0.0001 for the previous study visit; P = 0.0005 for the cumulative measure), while depression symptoms did not.

CONCLUSIONS

In individuals with IGT who do not have severe depression and who initially lose weight, antidepressant use may increase the risk of weight regain.

Impact of lifestyle intervention and metformin on health-related quality of life: the diabetes prevention program randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Adults at high risk for diabetes may have reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in HRQoL after interventions aimed at diabetes risk reduction.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A randomized clinical trial, the Diabetes Prevention Program, was conducted in 27 centers in the United States, in 3,234 non-diabetic persons with elevated fasting and post-load plasma glucose, mean age 51 years, mean BMI 34 Kg/m(2); 68 % women, and 45 % members of minority groups.

INTERVENTIONS

Intensive lifestyle (ILS) program with the goals of at least 7 % weight loss and 150 min of physical activity per week, metformin (MET) 850 mg twice daily, or placebo (PLB).

MEASUREMENTS

HRQoL using the 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) health survey to evaluate health utility index (SF-6D), physical component summaries (PCS) and mental component summaries (MCS). A minimally important difference (MID) was met when the mean of HRQoL scores between groups differed by at least 3 %.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years, there were significant improvements in the SF-6D (+0.008, p=0.04) and PCS (+1.57, p<0.0001) scores in ILS but not in MET participants (+0.002 and +0.15, respectively, p=0.6) compared to the PLB group. ILS participants showed improvements in general health (+3.2, p<0.001), physical function (+3.6, p<0.001), bodily pain (+1.9, p=0.01), and vitality (+2.1, p=0.01) domain scores. Treatment effects remained significant after adjusting sequentially for baseline demographic factors, and for medical and psychological comorbidities. Increased physical activity and weight reduction mediated these ILS treatment effects. Participants who experienced weight gain had significant worsening on the same HRQoL specific domains when compared to those that had treatment-related (ILS or MET) weight loss. No benefits with ILS or MET were observed in the MCS score.

CONCLUSION

Overweight/obese adults at high risk for diabetes show small improvement in most physical HRQoL and vitality scores through the weight loss and increased physical activity achieved with an ILS intervention.

Validation of a tool to assess medication treatment satisfaction in patients with Type 2 diabetes: the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire (DMSRQ)

AIM

To assess the reliability and validity of the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire among 537 US adults with Type 2 diabetes using five different diabetes medication regimens (oral agents with and without insulin; insulin only by syringe and by pen; glucagon-like peptide 1 agents).

METHODS

The Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire assesses the treatment experience of patients using any diabetes medication system that uses nine measures (Convenience, Negative Events, Interference, Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Burden, Efficacy, Social Burden, Psychological Well-Being, Treatment Satisfaction, Treatment Preference). It was administered via an initial online survey, along with other validated measures of treatment satisfaction and medication adherence, with a retest administered within 2 weeks. Participants were 52.5% male, 57.4% aged 40-64 years, 83.6% white and 95.2% non-Hispanic. Most (75.6%) had attended college and 58.3% had been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 10 years.

RESULTS

Median inter-item agreement was 0.86. Median test-retest reliability was also 0.86. All correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire measures and criterion measures of treatment satisfaction and adherence were statistically significant (P<0.01) in the expected direction. Correlations between Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire and the corresponding criterion measures of treatment satisfaction ranged from 0.349 to 0.629 (absolute values; interpolated median 0.568); correlations of the same measures with adherence ranged from 0.384 to 0.450 (absolute values; mean 0.411). Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire measures differentiated among groups taking different medications and those using different delivery systems for the same medication.

CONCLUSIONS

  This study suggests that the Diabetes Medication System Rating Questionnaire has good reliability and validity and provides a more comprehensive set of measures than existing medication satisfaction questionnaires.

The impact of treatment noncompliance on mortality in people with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association of compliance with treatment (medication and clinic appointments) and all-cause mortality in people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were extracted from U.K. general practice records and included patients (N = 15,984) who had diagnostic codes indicative of type 2 diabetes or who had received a prescription for an oral antidiabetic agent and were treated with insulin. Records in the 30 months before the index date were inspected for clinical codes (recorded at consultation) indicating medication noncompliance or medical appointment nonattendance. Noncompliance was defined as missing more than one scheduled visit or having at least one provider code for not taking medications as prescribed. Relative survival postindex date was compared by determining progression to all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Those identified as clinic nonattenders were more likely to be smokers, younger, have higher HbA(1c), and have more prior primary care contacts and greater morbidity (P < 0.001). Those identified as medication noncompliers were more likely to be women (P = 0.001), smokers (P = 0.014), and have higher HbA(1c), more prior primary care contacts, and greater morbidity (all P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, medication noncompliance (hazard ratio 1.579 [95% CI 1.167-2.135]), clinic nonattendance of one or two missed appointments (1.163 [1.042-1.299]), and clinic nonattendance of greater than two missed appointments (1.605 [1.356-1.900]) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication noncompliance and clinic nonattendance, assessed during routine care by primary care physicians or their staff, were independently associated with increased all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving insulin.

Bidirectional association between depression and metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological studies have repeatedly investigated the association between depression and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the results have been inconsistent. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current evidence from cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies that evaluated this association.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published up to January 2012. Cross-sectional and cohort studies that reported an association between the two conditions in adults were included. Data on prevalence, incidence, unadjusted or adjusted odds ratio (OR), and 95% CI were extracted or provided by the authors. The pooled OR was calculated separately for cross-sectional and cohort studies using random-effects models. The I(2) statistic was used to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The search yielded 29 cross-sectional studies (n = 155,333): 27 studies reported unadjusted OR with a pooled estimate of 1.42 (95% CI 1.28-1.57; I(2) = 55.1%); 11 studies reported adjusted OR with depression as the outcome (1.27 [1.07-1.57]; I(2) = 60.9%), and 12 studies reported adjusted OR with MetS as the outcome (1.34 [1.18-1.51]; I(2) = 0%). Eleven cohort studies were found (2 studies reported both directions): 9 studies (n = 26,936 with 2,316 new-onset depression case subjects) reported adjusted OR with depression as the outcome (1.49 [1.19-1.87]; I(2) = 56.8%), 4 studies (n = 3,834 with 350 MetS case subjects) reported adjusted OR with MetS as the outcome (1.52 [1.20-1.91]; I(2) = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate a bidirectional association between depression and MetS. These results support early detection and management of depression among patients with MetS and vice versa.

One-year changes in symptoms of depression and weight in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes in the Look AHEAD study

Depressed individuals are frequently excluded from weight loss trials because of fears that weight reduction may precipitate mood disorders, as well as concerns that depressed participants will not lose weight satisfactorily. The present study examined participants in the Look AHEAD study to determine whether moderate weight loss would be associated with incident symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation, and whether symptoms of depression at baseline would limit weight loss at 1 year. Overweight/obese adults with type 2 diabetes (n = 5,145) were randomly assigned to an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) or a usual care group, Diabetes Support and Education (DSE). Of these, 5,129 participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and had their weight measured at baseline and 1 year. Potentially significant symptoms of depression were defined by a BDI score ≥10. Participants in ILI lost 8.6 ± 6.9% of initial weight at 1 year, compared to 0.7 ± 4.8% for DSE (P < 0.001, effect size = 1.33), and had a reduction of 1.4 ± 4.7 points on the BDI, compared to 0.4 ± 4.5 for DSE (P < 0.001, effect size = 0.23). At 1 year, the incidence of potentially significant symptoms of depression was significantly lower in the ILI than DSE group (6.3% vs. 9.6%) (relative risk (RR) = 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5, 0.8; P < 0.001). In the ILI group, participants with and without symptoms of depression lost 7.8 ± 6.7% and 8.7 ± 6.9%, respectively, a difference not considered clinically meaningful. Intentional weight loss was not associated with the precipitation of symptoms of depression, but instead appeared to protect against this occurrence. Mild (or greater) symptoms of depression at baseline did not prevent overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes from achieving significant weight loss.

Health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction in the Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy for A1C Reduction 3 (STAR 3) trial

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and treatment satisfaction in sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAPT) compared with optimal conventional therapy-multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)-in adults and children with type 1 diabetes and children's caregivers. Patient acceptance of new therapies is essential to their adoption and effective use.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

STAR 3, a randomized 12-month clinical trial, compared SAPT with MDI+SMBG in 485 adult and pediatric patients. Within- and between-treatment arm changes in generic HRQOL, diabetes-specific HRQOL (fear of hypoglycemia), and treatment satisfaction were assessed (significance criterion P<0.01).

RESULTS

In adults, children, and caregivers, there were no significant between-arm changes in generic HRQOL: SF-36 Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores in adults and the PedsQL Physical Health Summary and Psychosocial Health Summary scores in children or caregivers. Diabetes-specific HRQOL (Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Worry and Behavior subscale scores) improved more in SAPT than in MDI adults. Hypoglycemia Behavior scores improved more in SAPT caregivers. Key treatment satisfaction measures (Insulin Delivery System Rating Questionnaire measures of Convenience, Efficacy, and Overall Preference) improved more in SAPT adults, children, and caregivers (all P<0.001); all exceeded the criterion for minimal detectable difference.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first-ever large-scale study of SAPT compared with optimal conventional therapy, SAPT had significant advantages for hypoglycemia fear in adults and caregivers and for treatment satisfaction in adults, children, and caregivers.

Patient-reported outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes using mealtime inhaled technosphere insulin and basal insulin versus premixed insulin

AIMS

This study assessed patient-reported outcomes in a multicenter study of adults with type 2 diabetes taking mealtime Technosphere(®) inhaled insulin (MannKind Corp., Valencia, CA) and basal insulin (insulin glargine) or premixed aspart insulin 70/30.

METHODS

Subjects were 618 non-smoking adults with starting hemoglobin A1c >7.0%: 302 in the Technosphere+glargine (TI+G) arm and 316 in the biphasic rapid-acting insulin arm (premixed aspart insulin 70/30). Subjects (47% male; mean age, 56 years; mean duration of diagnosed diabetes, 13.4 years) completed a measure of health-related quality of life (the SF-36) and a measure of treatment satisfaction (the Inhaled Insulin Treatment Questionnaire [IITQ]) before starting insulin treatment and approximately 45 weeks later.

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in either treatment arm for SF-36 Physical or Mental Component Summary measures. IITQ Diabetes Worries declined significantly in the TI+G arm (P=0.008), and Perceptions of Insulin Therapy, Treatment Satisfaction, and Treatment Preference improved in both arms (all P<0.001); there were no significant between-arm differences in change on any of these measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with inhaled Technosphere insulin was implemented without a negative impact on health-related quality of life and with a reduction in diabetes worries. Improvements in perceptions of insulin therapy, treatment satisfaction, and treatment preference did not differ from treatment with premixed aspart insulin.

Comparative effectiveness of weight-loss interventions in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Obesity and its cardiovascular complications are extremely common medical problems, but evidence on how to accomplish weight loss in clinical practice is sparse.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to examine the effects of two behavioral weight-loss interventions in 415 obese patients with at least one cardiovascular risk factor. Participants were recruited from six primary care practices; 63.6% were women, 41.0% were black, and the mean age was 54.0 years. One intervention provided patients with weight-loss support remotely--through the telephone, a study-specific Web site, and e-mail. The other intervention provided in-person support during group and individual sessions, along with the three remote means of support. There was also a control group in which weight loss was self-directed. Outcomes were compared between each intervention group and the control group and between the two intervention groups. For both interventions, primary care providers reinforced participation at routinely scheduled visits. The trial duration was 24 months.

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) for all participants was 36.6, and the mean weight was 103.8 kg. At 24 months, the mean change in weight from baseline was -0.8 kg in the control group, -4.6 kg in the group receiving remote support only (P<0.001 for the comparison with the control group), and -5.1 kg in the group receiving in-person support (P<0.001 for the comparison with the control group). The percentage of participants who lost 5% or more of their initial weight was 18.8% in the control group, 38.2% in the group receiving remote support only, and 41.4% in the group receiving in-person support. The change in weight from baseline did not differ significantly between the two intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In two behavioral interventions, one delivered with in-person support and the other delivered remotely, without face-to-face contact between participants and weight-loss coaches, obese patients achieved and sustained clinically significant weight loss over a period of 24 months. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00783315.).

An observational study to validate the Satisfaction Measure of the Injection of Growth Hormone Therapy (SMIGHTy) questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to psychometrically evaluate a tool to measure adult caregivers' level of satisfaction with the delivery device used to administer injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) to a child - the Satisfaction Measure of the Injection of Growth Hormone Therapy (SMIGHTy*) questionnaire.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

One hundred caregivers who administer rhGH to a child using an injection device completed the SMIGHTy questionnaire at baseline and 7-14 days later, and also completed other measures of treatment adherence and treatment satisfaction at baseline.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

SMIGHTy reliability (inter-item and test-retest) and external validity (association with other study measures) were assessed.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed good inter-item agreement and test-retest reliability for the SMIGHTy questionnaire. External validity, measured by associations with adherence and other measures of treatment satisfaction, was high.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

This study assessed only adult caregivers; the instrument was not validated for use by young or adult patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The SMIGHTy instrument is more comprehensive than existing instruments for assessing the growth hormone treatment experience. It is multidimensional, assesses both positive and negative aspects of the treatment experience (Device Satisfaction, Negative Events, Benefits), and has separate measures of overall satisfaction and preference.

Exercise and type 2 diabetes: American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: joint position statement. Exercise and type 2 diabetes

Although physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), many with this chronic disease do not become or remain regularly active. High-quality studies establishing the importance of exercise and fitness in diabetes were lacking until recently, but it is now well established that participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay T2DM, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality, and quality of life. Structured interventions combining PA and modest weight loss have been shown to lower T2DM risk by up to 58% in high-risk populations. Most benefits of PA on diabetes management are realized through acute and chronic improvements in insulin action, accomplished with both aerobic and resistance training. The benefits of physical training are discussed, along with recommendations for varying activities, PA-associated blood glucose management, diabetes prevention, gestational diabetes, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complications.

Associations between improved glucose control and patient-reported outcomes after initiation of insulin pump therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the relationship between changes in glucose control and changes in patient-reported outcomes (PRO)--health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and treatment satisfaction (TxSat)--in patients with type 2 diabetes initiating insulin pump therapy.

METHODS

Patients (n = 54) initiating insulin pump therapy (Animas(®) 2020, Animas Corp., West Chester, PA) were studied for 16 weeks. Glucose control was measured with patient-blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (SEVEN(™), DexCom, San Diego, CA) and unblinded glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and seven-point self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) profiles. HR-QoL was measured using the Diabetes Symptom Checklist-Revised (DSC-R) and the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). TxSat was measured using the Insulin Delivery System Rating Questionnaire (IDSRQ) clinical efficacy and treatment preference scales. Bivariate correlations assessed associations between measures of change from baseline.

RESULTS

Decreased A1C was associated only with improvement in IDSRQ clinical efficacy. For CGM and SMBG, reductions in mean glucose concentrations were associated with decreased DSC-R symptoms, improved EQ-5D health utility, and increased IDSRQ perceived clinical efficacy and treatment preference. Reduced glycemic variability was associated with improved EQ-5D health utility and increased IDSRQ treatment preference. CGM and SMBG readings from different times of day/night were differentially associated with all PRO.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that A1C, representing an "average" of both high and low blood glucose values throughout the day, may not capture aspects of glucose control with the greatest impact on HR-QoL. Although TxSat was more strongly associated with A1C and mean glucose readings than with glycemic variability, HR-QoL was more strongly associated with glycemic variability.

Factors associated with physician perceptions of and willingness to recommend inhaled insulin

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of physician perceptions of an inhaled insulin, willingness to prescribe that insulin, and estimates of patient initiation of therapy with that insulin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was an Internet survey of a US national sample (n = 602) of physicians who treat adults with diabetes. Respondents were given a brief description of potential clinical benefits and administration procedures for the study inhaled insulin (SII).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Measures included clinical beliefs, benefit ratings and overall evaluation of SII relative to other mealtime insulins, willingness to recommend SII, and estimates of patient initiation of therapy with that insulin. Multivariate regression assessed significant independent associations controlling for respondent and patient case-mix characteristics.

RESULTS

Physicians who self-identified as medical innovators or who reported high levels of involvement with patients tended to rate the SII higher, while respondents who self-identified as diabetes experts or who avoided using insulin tended to rate the SII lower. Medical innovators and those who rated the SII high on efficacy in avoiding discomfort and inconvenience were more likely to say they would recommend the SII to their patients and that their patients would use it. Family physicians were most likely and endocrinologists least likely to say they would recommend the SII for a variety of patient profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians see a variety of important benefits for the SII, and would recommend inhaled insulin to patients with different treatment regimens and treatment needs, especially those patients who are hesitant to initiate insulin therapy or concerned about taking more insulin injections. These findings should be considered in light of study limitations, including the fact that responses were based on expected benefits, and not on benefits actually experienced by physicians in the study, the fact that no information was provided about the cost of the SII, though this could have an important influence on prescription decisions, and the fact that the study sample was a self-selected group, rather than a representative sample of all physicians treating patients with diabetes.

Weight-related quality of life, health utility, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with exenatide once weekly compared with sitagliptin or pioglitazone after 26 weeks of treatment

OBJECTIVE

To assess change in patient-reported outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide once weekly compared with those treated with sitagliptin or pioglitazone.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this 26-week randomized, multicenter, double-dummy study, 491 subjects received 2 mg of exenatide once weekly or maximum daily doses of sitagliptin (100 mg) or pioglitazone (45 mg) on a background of metformin. Weight-related quality of life, health utility, psychological well-being, and diabetes treatment satisfaction were assessed at baseline and week 26. Mean group changes from baseline to week 26 were estimated by ANCOVA.

RESULTS

Weight-related quality of life total scores improved significantly in the exenatide once weekly and sitagliptin arms only; the exenatide once weekly group experienced significantly greater improvement than the pioglitazone group in weight-related quality of life total scores and in several domain scores. Health utility scores improved significantly for exenatide once weekly and sitagliptin groups (P < 0.05) with no significant difference between the exenatide once weekly group and either comparison group. All groups experienced significant improvements on the psychological well-being global scale and all six domain scores, with no significant difference between the exenatide once weekly group and either comparator. All groups experienced significant improvements in total diabetes treatment satisfaction scores. The exenatide once weekly group experienced greater improvement than the sitagliptin group in treatment satisfaction total scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In combination with clinical outcomes from this study, these results indicate it is possible for patients treated with metformin to initiate exenatide therapy with potential benefits in both clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Crossing the technology divide: practical strategies for transitioning patients from multiple daily insulin injections to sensor-augmented pump therapy

PURPOSE

To describe the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) systems compared with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy; to assess the benefits of sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAPT) in patients with type 1 diabetes; and to present an evidence-based practical protocol for introducing SAPT in patients with no prior pump or CGM experience.

CONCLUSION

Continuous glucose monitoring and CSII have advantages over SMBG and MDI, respectively, in terms of A1C and hypoglycemia reduction. The Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy for A1C Reduction (STAR) 3 trial demonstrated that initiating both CGM and CSII in selected adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes unable to meet glycemic goals with intensive insulin injection therapy significantly improved glucose control. In all subjects using SAPT, A1C levels fell rapidly from baseline to 3 months and remained significantly lower than among subjects in the SMBG+MDI group for 1 year. A distinguishing feature of the STAR 3 study was its stepwise protocol for systematizing education and self-management support using Web-based training modules and therapy management software. The demonstrated strengths of this education protocol recommend it as a model for implementing SAPT in the broader population of patients with type 1 diabetes who have not achieved their glycemic goals with optimized MDI therapy.

Factors associated with persistence and resumption of insulin pen use for patients with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

this study assessed patient-related factors associated with persistence and resumption of using pens as insulin delivery devices.

METHODS

patients (n = 549; 300 current pen users, 249 former pen users) were recruited from national panels to participate in computer-assisted telephone interviews. Measures included demographic characteristics, diabetes treatment and self-care factors, physician recommendation for pen use, perceptions of pen convenience, clinical efficacy, facilitation of self-care, cost, patient reasons for terminating pen use, and likelihood of resuming pen use among those who had terminated use.

RESULTS

current and former pen users rated the pen higher (P < 0.05) than vial and syringe on convenience, efficacy, facilitation of self-care, and cost, except for former users' ratings of cost. Current pen users rated pens higher (P < 0.05) than former users on all these measures. In addition to more positive pen perceptions, multivariate analysis showed that current users were more likely (P < 0.05) than former users to have received a pen recommendation from their physician, have better insurance coverage, and be working. Cost was the major reason reported for terminating pen use. Self-assessed likelihood of resuming pen use was higher (P < 0.05) among those with longer duration of pen use and more positive perceptions of pen cost and convenience.

CONCLUSIONS

results suggest that physician recommendations of pen use, patient perceptions of pens, and cost and insurance coverage of pens may play an important role in persistence of pen use. Among former pen users, duration of pen use and perceptions of pens may be important factors in likelihood of patients' resuming pen use.

Perceived medication benefits and their association with interest in using inhaled insulin in type 2 diabetes: a model of patients' cognitive framework

OBJECTIVE

To examine predictors of patient perceived relevance of different diabetes medication benefits, and to determine how medication benefit ratings of an inhaled insulin were associated with evaluation of, and interest in that inhaled insulin.

METHODS

The study was an Internet survey of a US sample (n = 1094) of adults with type 2 diabetes using different medication regimens. Patients were given a brief description of potential clinical benefits and administration procedures for the inhaled insulin described in this study (based on MannKind Corporation's Technosphere insulin). Measures included indicators of medication benefits, needs and relevance, benefit ratings and overall evaluation of the studied inhaled insulin relative to current medication, and interest in the study medication. Multivariate regression assessed significant (P < 0.05) independent associations, controlling for demographic and disease characteristics.

RESULTS

Relevance of potential medication benefits (avoidance of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, weight gain, discomfort/inconvenience) was significantly associated with objective and subjective indicators of patients' needs. Most need indicators were associated only with the specific benefit to which they apply; concerns about weight and lifestyle were associated with multiple benefits. Ratings of the studied inhaled insulin for avoiding postprandial hyperglycemia and discomfort/inconvenience were associated with overall evaluation of and interest in the inhaled insulin described in this study; rating of this medication for avoiding weight gain was associated with overall evaluation ratings.

CONCLUSIONS

Relevance of different potential benefits was based on objective and subjective indicators of need. Perceived efficacy of the inhaled insulin described in this study for avoiding postprandial hyperglycemia and discomfort/inconvenience were the benefits most strongly related to the evaluation of and interest in this medication.

Antidepressant medicine use and risk of developing diabetes during the diabetes prevention program and diabetes prevention program outcomes study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between antidepressant medicine use and risk of developing diabetes during the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

DPP/DPPOS participants were assessed for diabetes every 6 months and for antidepressant use every 3 months in DPP and every 6 months in DPPOS for a median 10.0-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Controlled for factors associated with diabetes risk, continuous antidepressant use compared with no use was associated with diabetes risk in the placebo (adjusted hazard ratio 2.34 [95% CI 1.32-4.15]) and lifestyle (2.48 [1.45-4.22]) arms, but not in the metformin arm (0.55 [0.25-1.19]).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous antidepressant use was significantly associated with diabetes risk in the placebo and lifestyle arms. Measured confounders and mediators did not account for this association, which could represent a drug effect or reflect differences not assessed in this study between antidepressant users and nonusers.

Exercise and type 2 diabetes: the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association: joint position statement

Although physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, many with this chronic disease do not become or remain regularly active. High-quality studies establishing the importance of exercise and fitness in diabetes were lacking until recently, but it is now well established that participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality, and quality of life. Structured interventions combining PA and modest weight loss have been shown to lower type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58% in high-risk populations. Most benefits of PA on diabetes management are realized through acute and chronic improvements in insulin action, accomplished with both aerobic and resistance training. The benefits of physical training are discussed, along with recommendations for varying activities, PA-associated blood glucose management, diabetes prevention, gestational diabetes mellitus, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complications.

Patient-reported outcomes from a 16-week open-label, multicenter study of insulin pump therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

This study assessed patient-reported outcomes (PRO) for patients with type 2 diabetes treated by insulin pump therapy.

METHODS

This 16-week, open-label, multicenter study was conducted with adults (averaging 57 years old, 50% women, 68% white non-Hispanic, with duration of diabetes of 13 years) treated at baseline with oral antidiabetes agents (OAD) only (OAD cohort, n = 17), basal insulin with or without OAD (Basal cohort, n = 17), or multiple daily injections (MDI) with or without OAD (MDI cohort, n = 20). All diabetes medications except metformin were discontinued at baseline, and insulin pump therapy was initiated. PRO were measured at baseline and end of study using two measures of health-related quality of life (QOL)--the Diabetes Symptom Checklist-Revised (DSC-R) and the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D)--and a measure of treatment satisfaction--the Insulin Delivery System Rating Questionnaire (IDSRQ).

RESULTS

The combined study population (n = 54) experienced significant reductions in DSC-R total symptoms, as well as a significant increase in the EQ-5D Visual Analog Scale score. The OAD cohort experienced no changes in any QOL measure; the Basal and MDI cohorts each experienced significant improvements in several QOL measures. The combined study population experienced significant improvements in all IDSRQ measures except treatment interference, for which change was not significant. The OAD cohort experienced significant improvements in perceived clinical efficacy and overall treatment preference; the Basal and MDI cohorts each experienced significant improvements in five of the seven IDSRQ measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin pump therapy improved QOL and treatment preference in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Depression predicts first but not recurrent diabetic foot ulcers

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

This study examined the relationship between symptoms of depression and the development of diabetic foot ulcers.

METHODS

Participants were 333 patients (71% male; mean age 62 years; 73% with type 2 diabetes) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), but without peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Severity of DPN and the presence of PVD were assessed by clinical examination. Depression, other diabetes complications and foot self-care were assessed by self-report. Cox regression tested whether depression was an independent predictor of foot ulceration over 18 months, whether this relationship was moderated by foot ulcer history, and whether foot self-care mediated this relationship.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 63 patients developed a foot ulcer. Those with prior foot ulcers had more than four-fold greater risk of subsequent foot ulceration compared with those without a history of foot ulcer. A significant interaction effect showed that depression was significantly related to the development of first but not recurrent foot ulcers. This relationship was independent of biological risk factors. In the final model, each standard deviation increase in depression symptoms was significantly associated with increased risk of developing first foot ulcers (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.20-2.35), while foot self-care was associated with lower risk (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40-0.94). Foot self-care did not mediate the relationship between depression and foot ulceration.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These data suggest that depression is associated with increased risk of first foot ulcers in DPN patients and that this relationship is independent of biological risk factors and foot self-care. Interventions that target depression and foot self-care before the development of foot ulcers may maximise the likelihood of successful prevention of foot ulceration.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, depression symptoms and antidepressant medicine use in the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) clinical trial of weight loss in diabetes

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

To determine the associations of baseline depression symptoms and use of antidepressant medicines (ADMs) with baseline cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial participants.

METHODS

Look AHEAD participants (n = 5,145; age 58.7 +/- 6.8 years; BMI 35.8 +/- 5.8 kg/m(2)) were assessed for CVD risk factors (elevated HbA(1c) or insulin use, elevated BP or antihypertensive use, elevated lipid levels or lipid-lowering medication, current smoking, BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2), lower peak exercise capacity assessed as metabolic equivalents [METs], and ankle-brachial index <0.9 or >1.3). Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and reported their use of ADMs.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 14.7% had BDI scores > or = 11, consistent with mild-moderate depression, and 16.5% took ADMs; 4.4% had both depression markers (i.e. elevated symptom scores and took ADMs). In logistic regression analyses of CVD risk (elevated risk factor or use of medication to control the risk factor), controlled for demographic factors, continuous BDI scores and ADM use were each independently associated with elevated BP (or medication), current smoking, BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2) and lower MET values. ADM use was also associated with elevated serum lipids or use of lipid-lowering medication.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Among Look AHEAD participants, depression symptoms or ADM use on entry to the study were each independently associated with a wide range of CVD risk factors. Future research should assess the temporal dynamics of the relationships of depression symptoms and ADM use with CVD risk factors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00017953

FUNDING

This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health with additional support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Patient-reported outcomes and diabetes technology: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Advanced diabetes technology should have benefits not only in terms of clinical outcomes, but also in terms of patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to review the methodology and findings of studies that assessed the effects of diabetes technologies such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and integrated CSII/CGM on patientreported outcomes.

DATA

The existing literature in pediatric and adult patients is limited, so there is no conclusive evidence that use of CSII, CGM, or integrated CSII/CGM systems produce improved patient-reported outcomes, but most studies provide evidence that these technologies yield some patient-reported outcomes advantages, and few indicate any disadvantages.

CONCLUSION

We expect that more robust studies in the future will provide further evidence regarding the impact of these technologies for patient-reported outcomes, including general health-related quality-of-life, diabetesspecific quality-of-life, treatment satisfaction, and treatment preference.

Patient reported outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin randomized to addition of mealtime pramlintide or rapid-acting insulin analogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether treatment satisfaction and quality of life were affected by adding mealtime pramlintide or rapid-acting insulin analogs (RAIAs) to basal insulin therapy for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this 24-week open-label, multicenter study of adults with type 2 diabetes, mealtime pramlintide (PRAM) (120 microg fixed dose; n = 56) or titrated RAIAs (n = 56) was added to basal insulin therapy with or without oral antidiabetic medications.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT00467649.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quality of life (Diabetes Distress Scale - DDS, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI), and treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire - DTSQ, and Pramlintide Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire - PRAM-TSQ) were assessed at baseline and week 24. Mixed-effect models estimated mean group changes from baseline to week 24 (adjusted for baseline scores) in patient reported outcomes.

RESULTS

PRAM patients experienced significant improvement in total diabetes distress, while RAIA patients did not; both groups experienced significant improvement in regimen-related distress and physician-related distress. Between-group differences in DDS measures were not significant. PRAM patients experienced significant improvement in sleep latency and daytime dysfunction, while RAIA patients did not; the difference between groups was significant for daytime dysfunction. Both treatment groups experienced significant improvement in most individual DTSQ items and total diabetes treatment satisfaction, while only PRAM patients experienced significant improvement in perceived hypoglycemia. Between-group differences in DTSQ measures were not significant. Both treatment groups experienced significant improvement in most individual PRAM-TSQ items and total treatment satisfaction; RAIA patients experienced increased eating flexibility and reduced perceived weight control. PRAM patients experienced significantly better perceived weight and appetite control than RAIA patients.

LIMITATIONS

The sample size was relatively small and there were few non-white subjects. The schedule for implementation of change in therapy may have affected study outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding pramlintide on a background of basal insulin improved some aspects of treatment satisfaction and quality of life relative to adding rapid-acting insulin analogs.

STAR 3 randomized controlled trial to compare sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy with multiple daily injections in the treatment of type 1 diabetes: research design, methods, and baseline characteristics of enrolled subjects

BACKGROUND

Sensor-augmented pump therapy (SAPT) integrates real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and offers an alternative to multiple daily injections (MDI). Previous studies provide evidence that SAPT may improve clinical outcomes among people with type 1 diabetes. Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy for A1c Reduction (STAR) 3 is a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of SAPT to that of MDI in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

Subjects were randomized to either continue with MDI or transition to SAPT for 1 year. Subjects in the MDI cohort were allowed to transition to SAPT for 6 months after completion of the study. SAPT subjects who completed the study were also allowed to continue for 6 months. The primary end point was the difference between treatment groups in change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) percentage from baseline to 1 year of treatment. Secondary end points included percentage of subjects with HbA1c < or =7% and without severe hypoglycemia, as well as area under the curve of time spent in normal glycemic ranges. Tertiary end points include percentage of subjects with HbA1c < or =7%, key safety end points, user satisfaction, and responses on standardized assessments.

RESULTS

A total of 495 subjects were enrolled, and the baseline characteristics similar between the SAPT and MDI groups. Study completion is anticipated in June 2010.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this randomized controlled trial should help establish whether an integrated RT-CGM and CSII system benefits patients with type 1 diabetes more than MDI.

Psychometric properties of an instrument for assessing the experience of patients treated with inhaled insulin: the inhaled insulin treatment questionnaire (IITQ)

BACKGROUND

Along with general measures of treatment satisfaction, treatment-specific and device-specific treatment satisfaction should be assessed in clinical trials, because these latter measures may be more strongly correlated with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Study participants were 1076 adults (type 1 = 509, type 2 = 567) in clinical trials of Technosphere Insulin(R), who completed the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire and the Inhaled Insulin Treatment Questionnaire (IITQ), a new instrument assessing diabetes worries, perceptions of insulin therapy, treatment satisfaction, treatment preference, and inhaler performance. The IITQ was administered twice prior to treatment initiation in the clinical trials, 1-2 weeks apart, and several times during the trials. Inhaler performance was assessed at follow-up visits, after participants had used the device.

RESULTS

IITQ subscales had acceptable reliability (alpha = 0.68-0.87, median 0.83) and test-retest correlations (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.67-0.90, median 0.82); floor effects (0.2-2.8%) and ceiling effects (0-9.3%) were minimal. Reliabilities for inhaler performance measures were acceptable (alpha = 0.73-0.90, median 0.85); there were no floor effects (0.0%) and ceiling effects (4.9-39.0%) were moderate. There were several modest associations between IITQ scores and measures of health status. Diabetes worries were lower for participants who had better mental health (type 2) and for those with higher BMI; perceptions of insulin therapy were more favorable for participants who had better physical and mental health; treatment satisfaction was higher for patients who had lower BMI (type 2), lower A1c levels, and better physical health (type 2); treatment preference was higher for patients with lower BMI (type 2) and better mental health (type 1). CONCLUSIONS -: Preliminary findings suggest that the IITQ is a comprehensive, reliable measure of the experience of patients treated with inhaled insulin.

Barriers to insulin injection therapy: patient and health care provider perspectives

OBJECTIVE

To compare patients' perceptions of injection-related problems with clinicians' estimates of those problems.

METHODS

Data were obtained through 2 Internet surveys, one of US adults self-identified as taking insulin to treat diabetes and the second of health care professionals who treat people with diabetes who inject insulin, including primary care physicians, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators.

RESULTS

A substantial majority of patients would like to reduce the number of injections they take each day; almost half said that they would be more likely to take their insulin injections regularly if a product were available to ease the pain. A much smaller proportion of patients reported that (1) injections were a serious burden, (2) they were dissatisfied with the way they took insulin, (3) injections had a substantial negative impact on quality of life, (4) they skipped injections they should take, or (5) injection-related problems affected the number of injections they were willing to take. Half of the patients said they mentioned injection-related problems to their provider; a similar number reported that their providers had not given them a solution to problems with injection-related pain and bruising. Although awareness of products to ease injection pain was high among providers (especially diabetes educators), this information was not effectively transmitted to patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients should be encouraged to discuss their injection-related concerns, and providers should regularly ask about injection-related problems. Providers should offer patients information about tools to reduce injection-related worries, preferably by having them available to show and demonstrate.

Correlates of insulin injection omission

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with patient frequency of intentionally skipping insulin injections.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were obtained through an Internet survey of 502 U.S. adults self-identified as taking insulin by injection to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Multiple regression analysis assessed independent associations of various demographic, disease, and injection-specific factors with insulin omission.

RESULTS

Intentional insulin omission was reported by more than half of respondents; regular omission was reported by 20%. Significant independent risk factors for insulin omission were younger age, lower income and higher education, type 2 diabetes, not following a healthy diet, taking more daily injections, interference of injections with daily activities, and injection pain and embarrassment. Risk factors differed between type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, with diet nonadherence more prominent in type 1 diabetes and age, education, income, pain, and embarrassment more prominent in type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas most patients did not report regular intentional omission of insulin injections, a substantial number did. Our findings suggest that it is important to identify patients who intentionally omit insulin and be aware of the potential risk factors identified here. For patients who report injection-related problems (interference with daily activities, injection pain, and embarrassment), providers should consider recommending strategies and tools for addressing these problems to increase adherence to prescribed insulin regimens. This could improve clinical outcomes.

Effect of technosphere inhaled insulin on quality of life and treatment satisfaction

AIMS

This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of Technosphere insulin (MannKind Corp., Valencia, CA) delivered via the MedTone inhaler (MannKind Corp.) on quality of life and treatment satisfaction in adults with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Subjects were 119 insulin-naive subjects with starting hemoglobin A1c >6.5%: 58 in the active inhaled insulin arm and 61 in the inhaled placebo arm (67% male; mean age 55 years; mean duration of diagnosed diabetes 7 years). Subjects completed a measure of health-related quality of life (the SF-36) and a measure of treatment satisfaction (the Insulin Treatment Questionnaire [ITQ]) before starting insulin treatment and approximately 12 weeks later. The ITQ assesses Diabetes Worries, Perceptions of Insulin Therapy, and Inhaler Performance.

RESULTS

There was no significant change in any SF-36 factor or Diabetes Worries during the trial in either arm, and there were no significant between-arm differences in change on any of these measures. Perceptions of Insulin Therapy improved significantly during the trial in the active medication arm (effect size for composite measure = 0.56, P = 0.002) but not in the placebo arm; there were no significant between-arm differences in change. The majority of subjects gave positive ratings of Inhaler Performance on all items (median = 93% positive ratings).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study treatment with inhaled Technosphere insulin was well tolerated, clinically efficacious, and associated with positive patient-reported outcomes, including improved attitudes toward insulin therapy and high treatment satisfaction. This treatment strategy was implemented without a negative impact on health-related quality of life or worries about diabetes.

Treatment satisfaction and quality of life for an integrated continuous glucose monitoring/insulin pump system compared to self-monitoring plus an insulin pump

BACKGROUND

Little is known about how the most advanced technology affects treatment satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with diabetes. This study was designed to assess treatment satisfaction and HRQOL among users of an integrated real-time (RT) continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)/continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) system compared with those using self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with CSII.

METHODS

Participants were 311 adult respondents to an Internet survey, 162 using RT-CGM/CSII, 149 using SMBG + CSII (median age 43 years; type 1 diabetes 94%; diabetes duration >15 years 61%; median insulin use 15 years). Respondents completed instruments assessing glucose monitoring system and insulin delivery system convenience, interference, burden, glucose control efficacy, cost satisfaction, overall satisfaction, and treatment preference, as well as quality of life (diabetes-related worries, social burden, and psychological well-being). Real-time CGM/CSII users also assessed specific elements of the RT-CGM/CSII system. Group differences were assessed using analysis of covariance controlling for respondent characteristics.

RESULTS

The RT-CGM/CSII group gave significantly better ratings than the SMBG + CSII group for their glucose monitoring system's glucose control efficacy, overall satisfaction, desire to switch, and willingness to recommend, and significantly worse ratings for interference with daily activities. The RT-CGM/CSII group gave significantly better ratings than the SMBG + CSII group for their insulin delivery system's convenience and glucose control efficacy, overall satisfaction, desire to switch, and willingness to recommend. Real-time CGM/CSII users gave positive ratings of all system features.

CONCLUSIONS

Users of the integrated RT-CGM/CSII system reported more benefits of treatment, higher treatment satisfaction and quality of life, and greater preference for this system than SMBG + CSII users.

How does treatment satisfaction work?: Modeling determinants of treatment satisfaction and preference

OBJECTIVE This study tested a model hypothesizing that treatment affects objective clinical outcomes, which in turn affect perceived consequences, which in turn affect satisfaction and preference judgments. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The model was tested in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which 266 patients with type 1 diabetes added active or placebo pramlintide to their insulin regimens. Objective clinical outcomes included changes in glucose and weight control, insulin requirements, incidence of hypoglycemia, and study drug tolerance. At the end of the trial, patients completed the validated PRAM-TSQ questionnaire measuring treatment satisfaction and preference and perceived medication benefits and side effects. RESULTS Statistical modeling demonstrated that active pramlintide was significantly associated with greater treatment satisfaction, preference, and perceived benefits (all except hypoglycemia prevention), as well as objective clinical outcomes (weight loss, lower postprandial glucose [PPG], lower medication tolerance, more hypoglycemia). Perceptions of treatment consequences were sensitive and specific to their cognate objective clinical outcomes (no halo effects). Clinical outcomes (especially PPG) accounted for almost half of the effect of the study medication on treatment satisfaction and preference. Treatment satisfaction and preference were strongly related to the perceived benefits/side effects of the study medication, and these perceptions (especially glucose control) mediated most of the association of clinical outcomes with satisfaction and preference. CONCLUSIONS This model received substantial empirical support. Improvements in objective clinical outcomes accounted for a large part of the association of pramlintide treatment with higher treatment satisfaction and preference. Perceived treatment consequences mediated the effect of objective clinical benefits on satisfaction with and preference for the study medication.

Predictors of depressive symptoms in persons with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a longitudinal study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of the study was to determine whether diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a risk factor for depressive symptoms and examine the potential mechanisms for this relationship.

METHODS

This longitudinal study (9 and 18 month follow-up) of 338 DPN patients (mean age 61 years; 71% male; 73% type 2 diabetes) examined the temporal relationships between DPN severity (mean +/- SD; neuropathy disability score [NDS], 7.4 +/- 2.2; mean vibration perception threshold, 41.5 +/- 9.5 V), DPN somatic experiences (symptoms and foot ulceration), DPN psychosocial consequences (restrictions in activities of daily living [ADL] and social self-perception) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression subscale measuring depressive symptoms (HADS-D; mean 4.9 +/- 3.7).

RESULTS

Controlling for baseline HADS-D and demographic/disease variables, NDS at baseline significantly predicted increased HADS-D over 18 months. This association was mediated by baseline unsteadiness, which was significantly associated with increased HADS-D. Baseline ADL restrictions significantly predicted increased HADS-D and partly mediated the association between baseline unsteadiness and change in HADS-D. Increased pain, unsteadiness and ADL restrictions from baseline to 9 months each significantly predicted increased HADS-D over 18 months. Change in social self-perception from baseline to 9 months significantly predicted increased HADS-D and partly mediated the relationships of change in unsteadiness and ADL restrictions with change in HADS-D.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These results confirm that neuropathy is a risk factor for depressive symptoms because it generates pain and unsteadiness. Unsteadiness is the symptom with the strongest association with depression, and is linked to depressive symptoms by perceptions of diminished self-worth as a result of inability to perform social roles.

Improved treatment satisfaction and weight-related quality of life with exenatide once weekly or twice daily

AIMS

To assess treatment satisfaction and weight-related quality of life (QOL) in subjects with Type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide once weekly (QW) or twice daily (BID).

METHODS

In this 52-week randomized, multi-centre, open-label study, 295 subjects managed with diet and exercise and/or oral glucose-lowering medications received either exenatide QW or BID during weeks 1-30; thereafter, subjects receiving exenatide BID were switched to exenatide QW, with 258 total subjects receiving exenatide QW during weeks 30-52. Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire-status (DTSQ-s) and Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) were assessed at baseline and weeks 30 and 52. Mean group changes from baseline to week 30 were estimated by ancova; changes from week 30 to week 52 were assessed by Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Statistically significant improvements from baseline to week 30 were observed in both treatment groups for DTSQ-s and IWQOL-Lite measures, with significantly greater reduction in perceived frequency of hyperglycaemia and greater satisfaction with continuing treatment in the QW group compared with the BID group. Effect sizes for change in DTSQ-s total scores were 0.84 QW, 0.64 BID; for IWQOL-Lite: 0.96 QW, 0.82 BID. Treatment satisfaction and QOL improved significantly between weeks 30 and 52 for those switching from BID to QW. Occurrence of adverse events did not affect patients' improvements in treatment satisfaction and QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients treated with exenatide QW or BID experienced significant and clinically meaningful improvements in treatment satisfaction and QOL. Patients who switched from exenatide BID to exenatide QW administration reported further significant improvements.

Access to diabetes self-management education: results of national surveys of patients, educators, and physicians

PURPOSE

To examine factors related to access to diabetes self-management education (DSME), including services delivered and sought; patient, physician, and program barriers to access; educator outreach and expansion efforts; and perceptions of alternative DSME delivery strategies.

METHODS

Internet surveys were completed by 1169 adults with diabetes (661 with prior DSME, 508 with no prior DSME) from a national community survey panel, 1871 educators who were AADE members, and 629 physicians (212 diabetes specialists, 417 primary care practitioners) from a national physician survey panel.

RESULTS

Physicians want patients to receive more self-management support, but some report that patients are told to do things with which the physician does not agree. Provider (physician and educator)-delivered DSME is more highly regarded among those who have received it than among those who have not received it. Physicians generally have positive perceptions of provider-delivered DSME, and educators see physicians as key to encouraging DSME use in patients. Some physicians are concerned about losing patients sent to DSME, and 11% of patients report changing physicians as a result of DSME. Most DSME programs have grown recently as a result of recruiting efforts and adding new programs/services; most programs plan more such efforts. Patients prefer traditional DSME sources/settings and are moderately accepting of media sources.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional efforts are required to guarantee that all people with diabetes receive the DSME they need. This will require increased referral by physicians, increased follow-through by patients, and increased availability of DSME in forms that make it appealing to patients and physicians.

Patient-reported outcomes for an integrated real-time continuous glucose monitoring/insulin pump system

BACKGROUND

A 16-week, two-site study evaluated outcomes for a new device (the Paradigm 722 System, Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA) that combines a "smart" continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump with real-time (RT) continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and CareLinktrade mark data management software (DMS).

METHODS

CSII-naive adults with type 1 diabetes in suboptimal control (mean glycosylated hemoglobin [A1C] = 8.6%) were randomized to the control arm, consisting of multiple daily injections (MDI) and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), or the study arm (CSII with RT-CGM as an adjunct to SMBG). Participants (n = 28) completed the validated Insulin Delivery System Rating Questionnaire (IDSRQ) and the parallel Blood Glucose (BG) Monitoring System Rating Questionnaire (BGMSRQ) at study start and end. Participants in the study arm (n = 14) also completed newly developed User Acceptance Questionnaires (UAQs) for CSII, RT-CGM, and DMS at study end.

RESULTS

A1C reduction from study start to end was significant (P < 0.05) in both arms (-1.7% for study arm;-1.0% for control arm); there was no significant change in weight in either arm. The IDSRQ showed significantly (P < 0.05) greater benefit for the study arm in convenience, acceptability of BG monitoring requirements, BG control efficacy, diabetes worries, and interpersonal hassles, as well as higher overall satisfaction/preference. The BGMSRQ showed significantly (P < 0.05) greater benefit for the study arm in the BG monitoring system's ability to help manage glycemic control and less interest in changing to another BG monitoring system. The Study Arm UAQs showed positive ratings of system features.

CONCLUSIONS

Several patient-reported outcomes were significantly more positive in the study arm than the control arm; none was significantly more positive in the control arm. The features of the integrated RT-CGM/CSII system were frequently used and highly rated by participants, with high user satisfaction.