Sara Charleer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between fear and perceived frequency of hypoglycemia and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics in adults with type 1 diabetes using diabetes technology over 12 months. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective explorative analysis evaluated correlations between hypoglycemia fear, perceived hypoglycemia frequency, and CGM metrics in 1,370 adults with type 1 diabetes using real-time CGM (Comparing Continuous With Flash Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes [ALERTT1] study, n = 254) or hybrid closed-loop (The Impact of Hybrid Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery in Type 1 Diabetes on Glycemic Control and PROMs [INRANGE] studies, n = 1,116) for 12 months. Hypoglycemia fear was assessed with the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey II worry (HFS-worry) and behavior (HFS-behavior) subscales and perceived hypoglycemia frequency with the hypoglycemia subscale of the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire–status (DTSQs-hypo). Data are reported as mean ± SD. RESULTS: At baseline (before the start of technology), mean age was 41.0 ± 13.7 years, 55.9% were women, diabetes duration was 21.6 ± 12.7 years, HbA1c was 7.6 ± 1.0% (59.0 ± 10.8 mmol/mol), and time in 3.9–10.0 mmol/L was 61.1 ± 15.5%. Over 12 months, time <3.9/<3.0 mmol/L decreased from 3.4 ± 3.5%/0.8 ± 1.4% to 2.3 ± 2.2%/0.5 ± 0.7%, while HFS-worry (21.0 ± 12.9 to 16.8 ± 12.1) and DTSQs-hypo (3.3 ± 1.5 to 2.7 ± 1.4) also decreased. HFS-worry, HFS-behavior, and DTSQs-hypo showed no clear correlations with time in hypoglycemia or other CGM metrics at baseline, at 12 months, or over 12-month change. CONCLUSIONS: In adults using diabetes technology over 12 months, fear and perceived frequency of hypoglycemia showed no clear correlations with CGM metrics, suggesting both are influenced by more than glycemic profiles alone.

Aims/hypothesis This multicentre prospective observational cohort study aimed to evaluate real-world changes in glycaemic and person-reported outcomes after 1 year’s use of Control-IQ technology in adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods Adults who started with Control-IQ between December 2021 and December 2022 were consecutively recruited in 13 Belgian diabetes centres. Data were collected at start and after 4, 8 and 12 months. The primary endpoint was the evolution of time in range (TIR; glucose levels of 3.9–10.0 mmol/l). Data are reported as mean ± SD or least-squares mean (95% CI). Results A total of 473 adults were included, with a mean age of 38.5 ± 13.1 years and of whom 57.3% were female. TIR increased from 58.8% (95% CI 56.7, 60.9) at start to 70.9% (69.1, 72.8) at 12 months (p1c decreased from 57.3 mmol/mol (56.1, 58.5) (7.4% [7.3, 7.5]) to 49.5 mmol/mol (48.5, 50.6) (6.7% [6.6, 6.8]) and time ppp=0.002) and work absenteeism days (116.3 [42.8, 315.5] vs 69.3 [25.4, 189.2] days per 100 person-years, p=0.034) decreased. Conclusions/interpretation One-year use of Control-IQ was associated with better glucose management, improved diabetes-related quality of life, more treatment satisfaction, less severe hypoglycaemia and less work absenteeism in adults with type 1 diabetes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04414280 Graphical Abstract

Context: Limited evidence is available on the real-world effect of insulin degludec (IDeg) in type 1 diabetes (T1D), using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived metrics. Objective: To assess the real-world effect of switching to IDeg from other long-acting insulins on time in ranges (TIRs) measured by CGM, metabolic control, and insulin dose for people with T1D. Design: This retrospective multicenter study encompassed five time points during a 12-month pre-switch of IDeg and a 12-month follow-up period. For each visit, clinical and CGM data were collected to evaluate temporal trends in glycemic outcomes. Participants: Of 753 persons with T1D who were assessed for eligibility, 486 persons were included, mostly men (61.5%), 47.4 (16.9) years old and diabetes duration of 23.8 (14.2) years at IDeg-initiation. Main Outcome Measure: Primary outcome was the evolution of percent TIR (70–180 mg/dL or 3.9–10.0 mmol/L, TIR) before versus after switch to IDeg. Results: TIR over 24 h increased at 12 months versus baseline (56.7% vs. 52.3%, P < 0.001), mostly during daytime. Time P < 0.001), mostly during nighttime. Glycated hemoglobin (7.9% vs. 8.1%, P < 0.001) and coefficient of variation (40.0% vs. 41.5%, P < 0.001) improved at 12 months versus baseline. Mean daily basal, bolus and total insulin doses decreased at 12 months ( P < 0.001 for all vs. baseline). Conclusions: This retrospective real-world study reports that switching basal insulin significantly improved time spent in glucometric ranges and glycemic variability in the studied population of people with T1D. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT05434559.

Objectives: To study real-world effect of switching to Insulin Glargine 300 U/mL (Gla-300) on glucose metrics in people with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This retrospective secondary-use study compared 151 adults who switched to Gla-300 from first-generation long-acting insulins (Switchers) to 281 propensity-score matched controls (Non-switchers) who continued first-generation long-acting insulins. Primary endpoint was difference in time in range (TIR) evolution. A fictive “switching” date was assigned to Non-switchers to facilitate between-group comparisons. Results: In the period before switching, TIR decreased numerically for people in whom Gla-300 was eventually initiated (−0.05%/month [−0.16 to 0.07]), while it increased for matched controls (0.08%/month [0.02 to 0.015]; between-group difference P = 0.047). After Gla-300-initiation, Switchers had similar TIR increase compared to Non-switchers ( P = 0.531). Switchers used higher basal dose than before switch (Δ0.012 U/[kg·d] [0.006 to 0.018]; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: In real-life, Gla-300 was typically initiated in people where TIR was decreasing, which was reversed after switch using slightly higher basal insulin dose. ClinicalTrials: ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT05109520.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of chronic complications with time in tight range (TITR: 3.9-7.8 mmol/l) and time in range (TIR: 3.9-10.0 mmol/l) in people with type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of microvascular complications (diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy [DPN]) and macrovascular complications according to sensor-measured TITR/TIR was analysed cross-sectionally in 808 adults with type 1 diabetes. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between TITR/TIR and the presence of complications without adjustment, with adjustment for HbA_1c, and with adjustment for HbA_1c and other confounding factors (sex, age, diabetes duration, BMI, BP, lipid profile, smoking, and use of statins and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors). The mean TITR and TIR were 33.9 ± 12.8% and 52.5 ± 15.0%, respectively. Overall, 46.0% had any microvascular complication (34.5% diabetic retinopathy, 23.8% diabetic nephropathy, 16.0% DPN) and 16.3% suffered from any macrovascular complication. The prevalence of any microvascular complication, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) decreased with increasing TITR/TIR quartiles (all p_trend1c. Similar results were obtained when controlling for HbA_1c and other confounding factors. TITR and TIR are inversely associated with the presence of microvascular complications and CVA in people with type 1 diabetes. Although this study was not designed to establish a causal relationship, this analysis adds validity to the use of TITR and TIR as key measures in glycaemic management. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02601729 and NCT02898714.

In adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), time in range (TIR) [70–180 mg/dL] has been proposed as an additional metric besides glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This retrospective monocentric cohort study determined the correlation between HbA1c and TIR during the 2, 4, and 12 weeks (TIR _2w , TIR _4w , and TIR _12w ) before consultation in a pediatric T1D population. A total of 168 children with T1D were included. Continuous glucose monitoring data, HbA1c, and demographic variables were collected. We found strong linear correlations between HbA1c and TIR _2w ( R = −0.571), HbA1c and TIR _4w ( R = −0.603), and between HbA1c and TIR _12w ( R = −0.624). A strong correlation exists between TIR _2w and TIR _12w , HbA1c and time above range (TAR), and between TIR and TAR at different time points. In conclusion, a strong correlation was found between HbA1c and TIR, making TIR a potentially complementary metric to HbA1c. TIR _2w seems a viable alternative to TIR _12w . TAR also seems promising in assessing glycemic control.

Introduction and objective: Patients with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) frequently display cardiological and psychiatric diseases, but are also at increased risk for endocrine manifestations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the screening, prevalence, and management of hypoparathyroidism and thyroid disease in patients with 22q11DS, to evaluate the metabolic profile, and to compare these results with current literature and guidelines. Design: We performed a retrospective study of patients with genetically confirmed 22q11DS, followed at the center for human genetics of the University Hospitals Leuven, resulting in a cohort of 75 patients. Medical history, medication, and laboratory results concerning hypoparathyroidism, thyroid dysfunction, and the metabolic profile were collected. Results: Of the total cohort, 26 patients (35%) had at least one hypocalcaemic episode. During hypocalcaemia, parathyroid hormone (PTH) was measured in only 12 patients with 11 having normal or low PTH, confirming a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism. Recurrent episodes of hypocalcaemia occurred in seventeen patients (23%). Adherence to the guidelines was low, with 13% of patients having a yearly serum calcium evaluation, 12% receiving daily calcium supplements, and 20% receiving non-active vitamin D. Hypothyroidism was present in 31 patients (44%) and hyperthyroidism in 6 patients (8%). Information on body mass index (BMI) was available in 52 patients (69%), of which 38% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Conclusion: Hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and obesity are common endocrine manifestations in patients with 22q11DS but are probably underdiagnosed and undertreated, indicating the need for multidisciplinary follow-up including an endocrinologist.

Background: The greatest change in the treatment of people living with type 1 diabetes in the last decade has been the explosion of technology assisting in all aspects of diabetes therapy, from glucose monitoring to insulin delivery and decision making. As such, the aim of our systematic review was to assess the utility of these technologies as well as identify any precision medicine-directed findings to personalize care. Methods: Screening of 835 peer-reviewed articles was followed by systematic review of 70 of them (focusing on randomized trials and extension studies with ≥50 participants from the past 10 years). Results: We find that novel technologies, ranging from continuous glucose monitoring systems, insulin pumps and decision support tools to the most advanced hybrid closed loop systems, improve important measures like HbA1c, time in range, and glycemic variability, while reducing hypoglycemia risk. Several studies included person-reported outcomes, allowing assessment of the burden or benefit of the technology in the lives of those with type 1 diabetes, demonstrating positive results or, at a minimum, no increase in self-care burden compared with standard care. Important limitations of the trials to date are their small size, the scarcity of pre-planned or powered analyses in sub-populations such as children, racial/ethnic minorities, people with advanced complications, and variations in baseline glycemic levels. In addition, confounders including education with device initiation, concomitant behavioral modifications, and frequent contact with the healthcare team are rarely described in enough detail to assess their impact. Conclusions: Our review highlights the potential of technology in the treatment of people living with type 1 diabetes and provides suggestions for optimization of outcomes and areas of further study for precision medicine-directed technology use in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: Nationwide reimbursement of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) was introduced in Belgium (2016). This real-world observational study investigates the impact of isCGM over 24 months on adults with type 1 diabetes with impaired or normal awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH or NAH). Methods: We included 1905 people who started first-generation 14-day FreeStyle Libre (without alerts). Sixteen percent had IAH. Primary endpoint was evolution of quality of life (QOL); secondary endpoints were evolution of severe hypoglycemia, work absenteeism, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and sensor-measured outcomes. Results: At baseline, people with IAH ( n = 308) had significantly worse QOL than people with NAH ( n = 1594). Only people with IAH improved on the hypoglycemia fear survey-worry subscale after 24 months (22.8 [95% confidence interval: 21.4–24.2] at baseline; 20.6 [19.0–22.1] at 24 months, P = 0.002). For both groups, Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Scale improved over 24 months (IAH: +3.1 [2.1–4.1], P < 0.001; NAH: +2.3 [1.9–2.7], P < 0.001), whereas general QOL, diabetes distress, and HbA1c remained stable. People with IAH showed the strongest decline in work absenteeism and severe hypoglycemia (36.4% having an event 6 months before isCGM initiation; 16.0% having an event during last 6 months of follow-up, P < 0.001), with similar observations for hypoglycemia hospitalization and hypoglycemia coma. Over 24 months, people with IAH spent more time in hypoglycemia, but less time in hyperglycemia than people with NAH. Conclusion: These data show sustained improvement of severe hypoglycemia, work absenteeism, and hypoglycemia fear after isCGM reimbursement, mostly driven by people with IAH. Together with improved treatment satisfaction, irrespective of hypoglycemia awareness level, isCGM without alerts is a valuable tool under long-term real-world conditions. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT02898714.

Background: ALERTT1 showed that switching from intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) without alerts to real-time CGM (rtCGM) with alert functionality improved time in range (TIR; 70-180 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), time <54 mg/dL, and Hypoglycemia Fear Survey version II worry subscale (HFS-worry) score after six months in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Moderator analyses aimed to identify certain subgroups that would benefit more from switching to rtCGM than others. Methods: Post hoc analyses of ALERTT1 evaluated the impact of 14 baseline characteristics on the difference (delta) in mean TIR, HbA1c, time <54 mg/dL, and HFS-worry score at six months between rtCGM and isCGM. Therefore, the delta was allowed to depend on each of these variables by including interactions in the moderator analysis model. Analyses were performed separately for each variable; variables with P < .10 in the univariable analysis were combined into a single model. Results: Univariable analyses showed no dependency of delta TIR, HbA1c, or time <54 mg/dL on variables other than CGM type. Only delta HFS-worry score depended on baseline HbA1c ( P = .0059), indicating less worries with rtCGM in people with baseline HbA1c <6.5% or ≥8%. Given P < .10 for dependency of delta TIR on insulin therapy type (favoring multiple daily injections), baseline HbA1c, and baseline TIR, these variables were combined into a multivariable analysis; interactions were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Except for HFS-worry score, no interactions between 14 baseline characteristics and the six-month intervention effect of rtCGM on TIR, HbA1c, or time <54 mg/dL were observed, supporting the conclusion of ALERTT1 that switching from isCGM without alerts to rtCGM with alert functionality is beneficial for a wide range of people with T1D.