BMI variability and cardiovascular outcomes within clinical trial and real-world environments in type 2 diabetes: an IMI2 SOPHIA study.

BACKGROUND: BMI variability has been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes, however comparison between clinical studies and real-world observational evidence has been lacking. Furthermore, it is not known whether BMI variability has an effect independent of HbA1c variability. METHODS: We investigated the association between BMI variability and 3P-MACE risk in the Harmony Outcomes trial (n = 9198), and further analysed placebo arms of REWIND (n = 4440) and EMPA-REG OUTCOME (n = 2333) trials, followed by real-world data from the Tayside Bioresource (n = 6980) using Cox regression modelling. BMI variability was determined using average successive variability (ASV), with first major adverse cardiovascular event of non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death (3P-MACE) as the primary outcome. RESULTS: After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, a + 1 SD increase in BMI variability was associated with increased 3P-MACE risk in Harmony Outcomes (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08-1.17, P < 0.001). The most variable quartile of participants experienced an 87% higher risk of 3P-MACE (P < 0.001) relative to the least variable. Similar associations were found in REWIND and Tayside Bioresource. Further analyses in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial did not replicate this association. BMI variability's impact on 3P-MACE risk was independent of HbA1c variability. CONCLUSIONS: In individuals with type 2 diabetes, increased BMI variability was found to be an independent risk factor for 3P-MACE across cardiovascular outcome trials and real-world datasets. Future research should attempt to establish a causal relationship between BMI variability and cardiovascular outcomes.

Clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and persistence in individuals with type 2 diabetes initiating a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist: A retrospective analysis of the Diabetes Prospective Follow-Up Registry.

AIMS: To describe clinical characteristics, treatment patterns and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) persistence in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) initiating their first GLP-1 RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A real-world analysis of adults with T2D initiating GLP-1 RA therapy between 2007 and June 2020 from the multicentre Diabetes Prospective Follow-Up (DPV) Registry, stratified by antidiabetes therapy at the time of GLP-1 RA initiation: oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD), insulin ± OAD or lifestyle modification (LM). GLP-1 RA treatment persistence in individuals with ≥12 months follow-up was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 15 111 individuals with T2D initiating GLP-1 RA therapy (55% men) were identified; median [interquartile range (IQR)] age [58.7 (50.6-66.7) years], diabetes duration [8.5 (3.6-14.7) years], glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c; 8.2 (7.1-9.8)%]. Median (95% confidence interval) GLP-1 RA persistence in eligible individuals (n = 5189) was 11 (10-12) months; OAD 12 (11-14) months (n = 2453); insulin ± OAD 11 (9-12) months (n = 2204); and LM 7 (5-9) months (n = 532). Median treatment persistence tended to increase from 2007-2012 to 2017-2020. Median (IQR) HbA1c decreased from baseline [8.2 (7.1-9.8)%] to discontinuation [7.5 (6.6-8.7)%], with a greater decrease observed in individuals with persistence >12 months versus ≤12 months. Individuals who discontinued GLP-1 RA therapy predominantly switched to insulin (if not already using) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Real-world registry data revealed improved outcomes with longer median GLP-1 RA persistence; ~50% of patients overall achieved HbA1c <7% at 12 months. Persistence was highest with baseline OAD and/or insulin, and tended to increase over the period 2007-2020.

Clinical characteristics and cardiovascular risk profile in children and adolescents with latent autoimmune diabetes: Results from the German/Austrian prospective diabetes follow-up registry.

AIMS: To characterize children and adolescents with latent autoimmune diabetes of the young (LADY), and to assess the utility of classifying individuals as LADYs regarding their cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. METHODS: Data from 25,520 individuals (age at diagnosis <18 years) of the Prospective Diabetes Follow-up Registry Diabetes-Patienten Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV) were analyzed. LADY was defined as positivity of ≥one islet autoantibody (iAb+) and an insulin-free interval of ≥6 months upon diabetes diagnosis. LADYs were compared to iAb+ individuals immediately requiring insulin ("immunologically confirmed" type 1 diabetes, T1DM), iAb-/Ins- individuals ("classical" T2DM) and to those clinically defined as T2DM (iAbs not measured). RESULTS: Clinical characteristics of LADYs (n = 299) fell in between those with T1DM (n = 24,932) and T2DM (iAb-/Ins-, n = 152) or suspected T2DM (iAB not measured, n = 137). Stratifying LADYs according to their clinical diagnosis however revealed two distinct populations, highly resembling either T1DM or T2DM. Particularly, CV risk profile, precisely prevalence rates of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia, was significantly higher in LADYs clinically classified as T2DM compared to LADYs classified as T1DM, and did not differ from those with "classical" T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of CV risk, classifying children and adolescents with diabetes as LADYs provides no additional benefit. Instead, clinical diagnosis seems to better assign individuals to appropriate risk groups for increased CV risk profiles.

Ketone bodies: from enemy to friend and guardian angel.

During starvation, fasting, or a diet containing little digestible carbohydrates, the circulating insulin levels are decreased. This promotes lipolysis, and the breakdown of fat becomes the major source of energy. The hepatic energy metabolism is regulated so that under these circumstances, ketone bodies are generated from ß-oxidation of fatty acids and secreted as ancillary fuel, in addition to gluconeogenesis. Increased plasma levels of ketone bodies thus indicate a dietary shortage of carbohydrates. Ketone bodies not only serve as fuel but also promote resistance to oxidative and inflammatory stress, and there is a decrease in anabolic insulin-dependent energy expenditure. It has been suggested that the beneficial non-metabolic actions of ketone bodies on organ functions are mediated by them acting as a ligand to specific cellular targets. We propose here a major role of a different pathway initiated by the induction of oxidative stress in the mitochondria during increased ketolysis. Oxidative stress induced by ketone body metabolism is beneficial in the long term because it initiates an adaptive (hormetic) response characterized by the activation of the master regulators of cell-protective mechanism, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), sirtuins, and AMP-activated kinase. This results in resolving oxidative stress, by the upregulation of anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, improved mitochondrial function and growth, DNA repair, and autophagy. In the heart, the adaptive response to enhanced ketolysis improves resistance to damage after ischemic insults or to cardiotoxic actions of doxorubicin. Sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may also exert their cardioprotective action via increasing ketone body levels and ketolysis. We conclude that the increased synthesis and use of ketone bodies as ancillary fuel during periods of deficient food supply and low insulin levels causes oxidative stress in the mitochondria and that the latter initiates a protective (hormetic) response which allows cells to cope with increased oxidative stress and lower energy availability. KEYWORDS: Ketogenic diet, Ketone bodies, Beta hydroxybutyrate, Insulin, Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Cardiovascular disease, SGLT2, Hormesis.

Increased spontaneous CCL2 (MCP-1) and CCL5 (RANTES) secretion in vitro in LADA compared to type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes: Action LADA 14.

AIMS: Immune-mediated type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adulthood and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) share similar pathological mechanisms but differ clinically in disease progression. The aim of this study was to acquire insights into spontaneous and stimulated chemokine secretion of immune cells in different diabetes types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated in vitro spontaneous, mitogen (PI) and antigen (HSP60, p277, pGAD, pIA2) stimulated chemokine secretion of leucocytes from patients with T1D (n = 32), LADA (n = 22), type 2 diabetes (T2D; n = 49), and glucose-tolerant individuals (n = 13). Chemokine concentration in supernatants was measured for CCL2 (MCP-1), CXCL10 (IP10) and CCL5 (RANTES) using a multiplex bead array assay. RESULTS: Spontaneous secretion of CCL2 and CCL5 were higher in LADA compared to T1D and T2D (all p < 0.05) while CXCL10 was similar in the groups. Mitogen-stimulated secretion of CCL2 in LADA was lower compared to T1D and T2D (all p < 0.05) while CXCL10 and CCL5 were similar in all groups. Upon stimulation with pIA2 the secretion of CCL2 in LADA was lower compared to T2D (p < 0.05). Spontaneous CXCL10 secretion in LADA was positively associated with body mass index (r2  = 0.35; p = 0.0035) and C-peptide (r2  = 0.30; p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Chemokine secretion is altered between different diabetes types. Increased spontaneous secretion of CCL2 and CCL5 and decreased secretion of CCL2, upon stimulation with PI and pIA2, in LADA compared to T1D and T2D could reflect altered immune responsiveness in LADA patients in association with their slower clinical progression compared to insulin dependence.

Dulaglutide treatment results in effective glycaemic control in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): A post-hoc analysis of the AWARD-2, -4 and -5 Trials.

AIMS: Patients with a type-2-diabetes (T2D) phenotype positive for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) represent the majority of cases of latent autoimmune diabetes of the adult (LADA). The GLP-1 receptor agonist dulaglutide, recently introduced for treatment of T2D, has yet to be evaluated in LADA patients. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of dulaglutide on glycaemic control (HbA1c) in GADA-positive LADA vs GADA-negative T2D patients. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis was performed using data from 3 randomized phase 3 trials (AWARD-2,-4,-5; patients with GADA assessment) which were part of the dulaglutide clinical development programme in T2D. LADA patients were identified by GADA ≥5 IU/mL (ELISA). Changes in HbA1c during 12 months of treatment with dulaglutide or comparator were analysed using mixed-effect model repeated measures. RESULTS: Of 2466 adults tested for GADA (dulaglutide, 1710; glargine, 298; sitagliptin, 294; placebo, 164), 2278 (92.4%) were GADA-negative and 188 (7.6%) were GADA-positive, including 58 GADA-high patients (> 200 IU/mL) and 130 GADA-low patients (≤200 and ≥5 IU/mL). Overall, baseline parameters were comparable between the groups. Dulaglutide resulted in comparable HbA1c reductions in GADA-negative (LS mean change [95%CI], -1.09% [-1.15, -1.03]) and GADA-positive patients (-0.94% [-1.15, -0.72]) at 12 months. HbA1c reductions were numerically, but not statistically, significantly larger in GADA-low patients (-1.02% [-1.26, -0.78]) vs GADA-high patients (-0.72% [-1.21,-0.24]) at 12 months. Similar outcomes were observed at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These data are the first to indicate that dulaglutide was effective in reducing HbA1c in LADA patients.

Relative contribution of type 1 and type 2 diabetes loci to the genetic etiology of adult-onset, non-insulin-requiring autoimmune diabetes.

BACKGROUND: In adulthood, autoimmune diabetes can present as non-insulin-requiring diabetes, termed as 'latent autoimmune diabetes in adults' (LADA). In this study, we investigated established type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) genetic loci in a large cohort of LADA cases to assess where LADA is situated relative to these two well-characterized, classic forms of diabetes. METHODS: We tested the association of T1D and T2D GWAS-implicated loci in 978 LADA cases and 1057 non-diabetic controls of European ancestry using a linear mixed model. We then compared the associations of T1D and T2D loci between LADA and T1D and T2D cases, respectively. We quantified the difference in genetic risk between each given disease at each locus, and also calculated genetic risk scores to quantify how genetic liability to T1D and T2D distinguished LADA cases from controls. RESULTS: Overall, our results showed that LADA is genetically more similar to T1D, with the exception of an association at the T2D HNF1A locus. Several T1D loci were associated with LADA, including the major histocompatibility complex region, as well as at PTPN22, SH2B3, and INS. Contrary to previous studies, the key T2D risk allele at TCF7L2 (rs7903146-T) had a significantly lower frequency in LADA cases, suggesting that this locus does not play a role in LADA etiology. When constrained on antibody status, the similarity between LADA and T1D became more apparent; however, the HNF1A and TCF7L2 observations persisted. CONCLUSION: LADA is genetically closer to T1D than T2D, although the genetic load of T1D risk alleles is less than childhood-onset T1D, particularly at the major histocompatibility complex region, potentially accounting for the later disease onset. Our results show that the genetic spectrum of T1D extends into adult-onset diabetes, where it can clinically masquerade as T2D. Furthermore, T2D genetic risk plays a small role in LADA, with a degree of evidence for the HNF1A locus, highlighting the potential for genetic risk scores to contribute towards defining diabetes subtypes.

Diabetes at the crossroads: relevance of disease classification to pathophysiology and treatment.

Diabetes is not a single homogeneous disease but composed of many diseases with hyperglycaemia as a common feature. Four factors have, historically, been used to identify this diversity: the age at onset; the severity of the disease, i.e. degree of loss of beta cell function; the degree of insulin resistance and the presence of diabetes-associated autoantibodies. Our broad understanding of the distinction between the two major types, type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus, are based on these factors, but it has become apparent that they do not precisely capture the different disease forms. Indeed, both major types of diabetes have common features, encapsulated by adult-onset autoimmune diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young. As a result, there has been a repositioning of our understanding of diabetes. In this review, drawing on recent literature, we discuss the evidence that autoimmune type 1 diabetes has a broad clinical phenotype with diverse therapeutic options, while the term non-autoimmune type 2 diabetes obscures the optimal management strategy because it encompasses substantial heterogeneity. Underlying these developments is a general progression towards precision medicine with the need for precise patient characterisation, currently based on clinical phenotypes but in future augmented by laboratory-based tests.

Risk of severe hypoglycemia in sulfonylurea-treated patients from diabetes centers in Germany/Austria: How big is the problem? Which patients are at risk?

BACKGROUND: We investigated the rate of severe hypoglycemic events and confounding factors in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sulfonylurea at specialized diabetes centers, documented in the German/Austrian DPV-Wiss database. METHODS: Data from 29 485 sulfonylurea-treated patients were analyzed (median[IQR] age 70.8[62.2-77.8] years, diabetes duration 8.2[4.3-12.8] years). The primary objective was to estimate the event rate of severe hypoglycemia (requiring external help, causing unconsciousness/coma/convulsion and/or emergency hospitalization). Secondary objectives included exploration of confounding risk factors through group comparison and Poisson regression. RESULTS: Severe hypoglycemic events were reported in 826(2.8%) of all patients during their most recent year of sulfonylurea treatment. Of these, n = 531(1.8%) had coma, n = 501(1.7%) were hospitalized at least once. The adjusted event rate of severe hypoglycemia [95%CI] was 3.9[3.7-4.2] events/100 patient-years (coma: 1.9[1.8-2.1]; hospitalization: 1.6[1.5-1.8]). Adjusted event rates by diabetes treatment were 6.7 (sulfonylurea + insulin), 4.9 (sulfonylurea + insulin + other OAD), 3.1 (sulfonylurea + other OAD) and 3.8 (sulfonylurea only). Patients with ≥1 severe event were older (p < 0.001) and had longer diabetes duration (p = 0.020) than patients without severe events. Participation in educational diabetes-programs and indirect measures of insulin-resistance (increased BMI, plasma-triglycerides) were associated with fewer events (all p < 0.001). Impaired renal function was common (n = 3113 eGFR; ≤30 mL/min) and associated with an increased rate of severe events (≤30 mL/min: 7.7; 30-60 mL/min: 4.8; >60 mL/min: 3.9). CONCLUSIONS: These real-life data showed a rate of severe hypoglycemia of 3.9/100 patient-years in sulfonylurea-treated patients from specialized diabetes centers. Higher risk was associated with known risk factors including lack of diabetes education, older age and decreased eGFR but also with lower BMI and lower triglyceride levels, suggesting that sulfonylurea treatment in those patients should be considered with caution.

Triple hormone receptor agonist retatrutide for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized phase 2a trial.

Retatrutide is a novel triple agonist of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucagon receptors. A 48-week phase 2 obesity study demonstrated weight reductions of 22.8% and 24.2% with retatrutide 8 and 12 mg, respectively. The primary objective of this substudy was to assess mean relative change from baseline in liver fat (LF) at 24 weeks in participants from that study with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and ≥10% of LF. Here, in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants (n = 98) were randomly assigned to 48 weeks of once-weekly subcutaneous retatrutide (1, 4, 8 or 12 mg dose) or placebo. The mean relative change from baseline in LF at 24 weeks was -42.9% (1 mg), -57.0% (4 mg), -81.4% (8 mg), -82.4% (12 mg) and +0.3% (placebo) (all P < 0.001 versus placebo). At 24 weeks, normal LF (<5%) was achieved by 27% (1 mg), 52% (4 mg), 79% (8 mg), 86% (12 mg) and 0% (placebo) of participants. LF reductions were significantly related to changes in body weight, abdominal fat and metabolic measures associated with improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. The ClinicalTrials.gov registration is NCT04881760 .

DiaPep277® and immune intervention for treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic immune-mediated disease resulting in destruction of insulin-producing ß-cells. Several studies have been performed aiming to halt disease progression after diagnosis; to reduce the increased diabetes risk in islet-autoantibody positive subjects; and to prevent the onset of ß-cell autoimmunity in subjects genetically at risk but without autoantibodies. Whereas secondary prevention trials failed, trials in newly diagnosed patients have shown partial success in preserving C-peptide. These studies target T-cells and inflammation and make use of antigen-specific immune modulation or stem cell approaches. However, thus far no immune-based therapeutic regimen has cured type 1 diabetes after its clinical onset or has stabilized the decline of C-peptide to achieve the status of an approved drug. This review summarizes immune intervention trials and the current knowledge of DiaPep277® peptide as a form of immune intervention in type 1 diabetes.

Serum adipokines as biomarkers of beta-cell function in patients with type 1 diabetes: positive association with leptin and resistin and negative association with adiponectin.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the adipokines adiponectin, leptin and resistin as serum biomarkers of beta-cell function in patients with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with type 1 diabetes (20.3 ± 7.5 years) diagnosed <5 years underwent standardized mixed meal test (MMTT) for 2 h. Systemic concentrations of C-peptide, adiponectin, leptin and resistin obtained during MMTT were measured and compared between patient groups by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients were divided by their adipokine levels in subgroups above or below the median level ('high versus low'). High adiponectin levels (>10.6 µg/mL) were associated with lower C-peptide compared to the low adiponectin subgroup (p < 0.03). Increased leptin or resistin concentrations associated positively with beta-cell function even after adjustment for metabolic confounders (p < 0.04). The described associations between adipokines and C-peptide concentrations persisted in Spearman correlation tests (p < 0.05). Serum adipokines fell during MMTT (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum adipokine levels differentially correlate with beta-cell function in type 1 diabetes independent of BMI or metabolic control. Serum adipokines should be investigated as biomarkers of beta-cell function in prospective studies and intervention trials in type 1 diabetes.

Characterizing Diabetes Empowerment and Motivation for Changing Health Behaviors Among People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Effectively engaging people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) earlier in their health journeys is critical to prevent downstream complications. Digitally based diabetes programs are a growing component of care delivery that have the potential to engage individuals outside of traditional clinic-based settings and use personalized data to pair people to tailored diabetes self-management interventions. Knowing an individuals' diabetes empowerment and health-related motivation can help drive appropriate recommendations for personalized interventions. We aimed to characterize diabetes empowerment and motivation towards changing health behaviors among participants in Level2, a T2D specialty care organization in the USA that combines wearable technology with personalized clinical support. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among people enrolled in Level2 (February-March 2021). Distributions of respondent-reported diabetes empowerment and health motivation were analyzed using Motivation and Attitudes Toward Changing Health (MATCH) and Diabetes Empowerment Scale Short Form (DES-SF) scales, respectively. Associations between MATCH and DES-SF scores with Level2 engagement measures and glycemic control were analyzed. RESULTS: The final analysis included 1258 respondents with T2D (mean age 55.7 ± 8.4 years). Respondents had high average MATCH (4.19/5) and DES-SF (4.02/5) scores. The average MATCH subscores for willingness (4.43/5) and worthwhileness (4.39/5) were higher than the average ability subscore (3.73/5). Both MATCH and DES-SF scores showed very weak correlations with Level2 engagement measures and glycemic control (ρ = - 0.18-0.19). CONCLUSIONS: Level2 survey respondents had high average motivation and diabetes empowerment scores. Further research is needed to validate sensitivity of these scales to detect changes in motivation and empowerment over time and to determine whether differences in scores can be used to pair people to personalized interventions.

Stratification of obesity phenotypes to optimize future therapy (SOPHIA).

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is considered a poor lifestyle choice. 'Obesity' is not a sufficient definition for patients, any more than 'cancer' or 'arthritis' would be. A major obstacle is the lack of understanding of pathogenesis. The disease of obesity is considered homogenous, while response to treatment is thought of as heterogeneous. This can change if pathogenesis, risk profiles for complications, and treatment responses are viewed within the context of obesity consisting of several subsets of disease. AREAS COVERED: The European Union-funded Innovative Medicine Initiative project Stratification of Obesity Phenotypes to Optimize Future Obesity Therapy is part of a momentum shift. Operational variables are being used to develop tests and therapies which may allow the prediction of risk of obesities and the prediction of response to obesity treatments. However, changing stakeholder perspectives on obesity may require more than high-quality data and analysis. EXPERT OPINION: For patients to benefit, clinicians need to integrate evidence-based treatments and payers need to reimburse the management of the disease of obesity. This will generate commercial opportunities for industry. We need to involve stakeholders (patients, clinicians, regulators, payer, patient organisations) to create a shared value for mutual gain.

Cellular interferon-γ and interleukin-13 immune reactivity in type 1, type 2 and latent autoimmune diabetes: action LADA 6.

OBJECTIVE: Type 1 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) are thought to result from immune-mediated ß-cell destruction. It remains unclear why LADA is clinically less severe compared to type 1 diabetes. This study aimed to compare the pro-inflammatory (interferon-γ, IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin-13, IL-13) T-cell responses in humans with LADA and type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: IFN-γ and IL-13 T-cell responses to a panel of 16 (auto)-antigens were tested using an enzyme linked immune-spot technique and peripheral T-cells from 35 patients with type 1 diabetes, 59 patients with type 2 diabetes, 23 LADA patients, and 42 control subjects. RESULTS: LADA and type 1 diabetes patients did not display any statistically significant differences in the frequency of IFN-γ or IL-13 responses to auto-antigenic stimuli, positive control or mitogen. Overall very low T cell reactivity to autoantigens was detected in all groups. IL-13 responses but not IFN-γ responses to recall antigen tetanus toxoid were higher in healthy control subjects compared to patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or LADA (P<0.05). Diabetes, independent of type, was associated with weaker response to recall antigen tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSIONS: LADA patients are indistinguishable from type 1 diabetes patients for cellular IFN-γ and IL-13 responses upon mitogen and recall antigen stimulation. These results extend previous findings showing that systemic cytokine/chemokine and humoral responses in type 1 diabetes and LADA are similar.

Digital Diabetes Management: A Literature Review of Smart Insulin Pens.

Digital health management is increasingly pivotal in the care of patients with diabetes. The aim of this review was to evaluate the clinical benefits of using smart insulin pens with connectivity for diabetes management. The search was performed using PubMed and PubMed Central on May 15, 2019, to identify publications investigating the use of insulin pens. Studies evaluating insulin pens with connectivity via Bluetooth/Near Field Communication, with an associated electronic device enabling connectivity, or with a memory function were included in the review. Nine studies were identified in the search. Overall, these studies lacked data on smart insulin pens with a connectivity function, with eight of the available studies investigating only pens with a memory function. The studies focused primarily on assessing patient preference, usability, and technical accuracy. The number of studies assessing clinical outcomes was small (n = 3). However, the majority of studies (n = 8) reported that patients preferred smart insulin pens because they increased confidence with regard to diabetes self-management. These results suggest a lack of published data regarding smart insulin pens with connectivity for the management of diabetes. However, the available published data on usability and patient preference suggest that the use of smart insulin pens holds promise for improving and simplifying diabetes self-management.

Circulating cytokines are associated with human islet graft function in type 1 diabetes.

Islet cell transplantation has considerable potential as a cure for type 1 diabetes, but recurrent autoimmunity and allograft rejection in which both cytokines play an important role are major obstacles. Using a new approach considering confounders by regression analysis, we investigated circulating cytokines and their association with graft function in type 1 diabetes patients who underwent either simultaneous islet kidney (SIK) or islet after kidney (IAK) transplantation. After transplantation, interleukin (IL)-10 was lower in SIK recipients with subsequent loss of graft function in comparison to recipients maintaining graft function. Before transplantation, high IL-13 and IL-18 concentrations were prospectively associated for subsequent loss of graft function in IAK recipients, whereas in SIK recipients, high macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) concentrations were associated with subsequent loss of graft function. Circulating cytokines are associated with islet graft function in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes when considering confounders.

Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Ultra Rapid Lispro (URLi) in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The PRONTO-T1D Extension.

INTRODUCTION: The PRONTO-T1D study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), met the primary endpoint of noninferiority of HbA1c change from baseline compared to lispro at 26 weeks. We present results of an additional 26-week treatment phase evaluating long-term efficacy and safety of URLi. METHODS: In this phase 3, treat-to-target study, subjects were randomized to double-blind mealtime URLi, lispro, or open-label postmeal URLi with insulin degludec or glargine for 26 weeks. Subjects in the double-blind URLi (n = 451) and lispro (n = 442) groups continued for another 26 weeks to assess long-term efficacy and safety. RESULTS: HbA1c increased marginally during the long-term maintenance period (week 26-52) in both groups to 7.47% (URLi) and 7.54% (lispro). At week 52, there were no statistically significant treatment differences in change from baseline HbA1c with a least-squares mean treatment difference (95% confidence interval) of - 0.06% (- 0.16, 0.03). Proportions of patients with HbA1c < 7% at week 52 were similar (URLi, 26.8%; lispro, 24.5%). Self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) showed that 1-h (9.23 versus 10.14 mmol/L) and 2-h (8.40 versus 9.53 mmol/L) postmeal daily mean glucose was statistically significantly (p < 0.001) lower with URLi than lispro. The rate and incidence of severe, documented, and postprandial hypoglycemia (< 54 mg/dl [3.0 mmol/L]) were similar between treatments, but URLi demonstrated a 31% lower rate in the period more than 4 h after meals, (p = 0.023). Injection site reactions were reported by 3.3% of patients on URLi and 0.9% on lispro. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was similar between treatments. CONCLUSION: Overall glycemic control and improved postprandial glucose via SMBG were maintained after 52 weeks with URLi versus lispro, suggesting that the efficacy of URLi is preserved during long-term treatment in patients with T1D. No long-term safety issues were identified with URLi. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03214367.

Satisfaction, Preference and Injection Habits of Switching to 200 Units/ml Insulin Lispro Pen from 100 Units/ml: A Patient Survey in Germany.

INTRODUCTION: The study was designed to assess patient satisfaction, preferences and injection habits for patients using insulin lispro 200 units/ml pen (IL200) compared to their previously used disposable 100 units/ml mealtime insulin pen ("MTI-100 pen") in Germany. METHODS: A site-based, cross-sectional study involving a self-reported survey and medical record extraction in patients with diabetes currently using IL200 for between 3 and 12 months and had previously used any disposable MTI-100 pen. RESULTS: Of 114 patients included, 83.3% were satisfied with IL200 and 3.5% were dissatisfied; 70.2% preferred IL200 over their previous MTI-100 pen and 4.4% preferred their previous MTI-100 pen. The main reasons for IL200 preference were the amount of insulin the pen carries, longer use before discarding, number of non-empty pens discarded, injection volume and frequency replacing pens. Patients discarded (median) 4 IL200 pens per month with 5.3% discarding more than 10 units in their last pen. When insufficient insulin remained to complete a dose, 74.6% injected the remainder and completed with a new pen, 19.3% discarded the pen with remaining insulin, 7.0% saved it for future use and 1.8% left the dose incomplete. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction and preference for IL200 was high in this sample of patients using IL200 for 3-12 months. Reasons were consistent with IL200 features, explaining the better patient experience and potential resource saving transitioning from a disposable MTI-100 pen.