Changes in the Prescription of Antibiotics and Phytopharmaceuticals in Children Treated for Acute Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Pediatric Practices in Germany in 2013, 2018, and 2022.

Background: Little is known about the recent trends in antibiotic and phytopharmaceutical prescribing for acute upper (URIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs) in children and adolescents. Therefore, this study investigated changes in the prescription of antibiotics and phytopharmaceuticals in children diagnosed with acute URIs and LRIs in pediatric practices in Germany in 2013, 2018, and 2022. Methods: The present retrospective study included children aged 2-12 years diagnosed with acute URIs or LRIs in one of 180 pediatric practices in 2013, 2018, and 2022. The URIs included nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and tracheitis, and upper respiratory infections of multiple and unspecified sites, while the LRIs corresponded to bronchitis. The primary outcomes were the proportion of children being prescribed antibiotics and the proportion of those being prescribed phytopharmaceuticals. Results: A total of 120,894 children were diagnosed with acute URIs or LRIs in 2013 compared to 116,844 in 2018 and 127,821 in 2022. The prevalence of antibiotic prescription decreased for all diagnoses between 2013 and 2022. This decrease was statistically significant for both 2013-2018 and 2018-2022 for nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, and bronchitis. Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in the use of phytopharmaceuticals for all diagnoses between 2013 and 2018. The prevalence of phytopharmaceutical prescription decreased slightly between 2018 and 2022, but this decrease was generally not statistically significant. Conclusions: The prescription of antibiotics has decreased and that of phytopharmaceuticals has increased in children diagnosed with acute URIs and LRIs in Germany over the last decade. More data are needed to corroborate these findings in other settings.

Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pump Therapy Sensor Augmented Pump or Automated Insulin Delivery in Different Age Groups (0.5 to <26 Years) With Type 1 Diabetes From 2018 to 2021: Analysis of the German/Austrian/Swiss/Luxemburg DPV Registry.

AIM: Insulin pump, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and sensor augmented pump (SAP) technology have evolved continuously leading to the development of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. Evaluation of the use of diabetes technologies in people with T1D from January 2018 to December 2021. METHODS: A patient registry (Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Database [DPV]) was analyzed for use of SAP (insulin pump + CGM ≥90 days, no automated dose adjustment) and AID (HCL or LGS/PLGS). In total 46,043 people with T1D aged 0.5 to <26 years treated in 416 diabetes centers (Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, and Switzerland) were included and stratified into 4 groups A-D according to age. Additionally, TiR and HbA1c were analyzed. RESULTS: From 2018 to 2021, there was a significant increase from 28.7% to 32.9% (sensor augmented pump [SAP]) and 3.5% to 16.6% (AID) across all age groups, with the most frequent use in group A (<7 years, 38.8%-40.2% and 10.3%-28.5%). A similar increase in SAP and AID use was observed in groups B (7 to <11 years) and C (11 to <16 years): B: +15.8 PP, C: +15.9 PP. HbA1c improved significantly in groups C and D (16 to <26 years) (both P < .01). Time in range (TiR) increased in all groups (A: +3 PP; B: +5 PP; C: +5 PP; D: +5 PP; P < 0.01 for each group). Insulin pumps (61.0% versus 53.4% male) and SAP (33.5% versus 28.9% male) are used more frequently in females. CONCLUSION: In recent years, we found an increasing use of new diabetes technologies and an improvement in metabolic control (TiR) across all age groups.

Type 1 diabetes incidence in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents (<20 years of age) during the COVID-19 pandemic (3/2020 to 12/2021) in Germany. METHODS: The present study was based on the IQVIA longitudinal prescription database (LRx), All persons (age ≤ 20 years) with new insulin prescriptions from 2016 to 2021 (index date) were selected and stratified by age group. Weekly (age-specific) data were used to forecast the prescription incidence for the pandemic period based on pre-pandemic data and to explore the relationship between weekly reported age-specific COVID-19 incidences and type 1 diabetes incidence and rate ratios of observed vs. predicted diabetes incidence respectively. RESULTS: During the pre-pandemic period, there was a stable higher insulin prescription incidence during the winter period and a lower insulin prescription incidence during summer. During the pandemic period, there was less seasonal variation in incidence related to the finding that the observed incidence during summer in 2002 and 2021 was 44 % and 65 %, higher, respectively, than the expected incidence based on pre-pandemic year. We did not find any cross-correlations between the COVID-19 incidence and the type 1 diabetes incidence for any age group. Likewise, there were no cross-correlations between the COVID-19 incidence and the incidence rate ratios of observed incidences to predicted incidences. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was less seasonal variation in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (defined by new insulin prescriptions), with higher observed than expected incidences during summer. We found no evidence that the increase in type 1 diabetes incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic relates to direct effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Multimorbidity Among Adult Outpatients With Type 1 Diabetes in Germany.

AIM: The aim of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to estimate the prevalence of different physical and psychiatric disorders as well as multimorbidity in outpatients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Germany. METHODS: A total of 6967 adult patients with T1D from 958 general or diabetologist practices in Germany between January 2015 and December 2019 from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) were included. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of different diabetes-related and nondiabetes-related disorders within 12 months prior to the last outpatient visit. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted with multimorbidity differently defined as >2, >3, >4, and >5 different disorders as a dependent variable and age, sex, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, and insulin pump therapy as impact variables. RESULTS: Mean age (standard deviation [SD]) was 45.3 (16.7) years; 42.9% were women, the mean HbA1c was 7.9% (SD: 1.4%). The most frequent disorder was arterial hypertension (31.2%), followed by dyslipidemia (26.4%), dorsalgia (20.4%), diabetic neuropathy (17.3%), and depression (14.6%). The proportion of thyroid gland disorders, retinopathy, urethritis, iron deficiency anemia, and psychiatric disorders was higher in women than in men. Hypertension and mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of tobacco were higher in men. On average, each patient was diagnosed with 3.1 different disorders. Age had the strongest association with multimorbidity, followed by HbA1c value and female sex. CONCLUSION: In summary, patients with T1D are often multimorbid, and the multimorbidity is associated with higher gender, female sex, and high HbA1c values. Understanding all of these factors can help practitioners create a risk profile for every patient.

Patterns of insulin therapy and insulin daily doses in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in Germany.

AIM: To describe the different insulin therapy patterns and insulin daily doses in children and adolescents (aged 1-17 years) with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study based on the longitudinal prescription (LRx) database (IQVIA) included children and adolescents who received at least two insulin prescriptions of the same drug from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019. The study outcomes included the proportion of patients with insulin pumps and multiple daily injection therapy, human insulin and insulin analogue use, as well as insulin daily doses. A multivariable linear regression model was used to study the association between age, sex, insulin drugs, and daily dose. RESULTS: A total of 22 512 children and adolescents (mean age: 13.5 years, 47.1% female) were included. The proportion of patients using insulin pump therapy decreased with age, from 72.6% (females) and 73.0% (males) in the age group of younger than 6 years to 30.8% (females) and 26.1% (males) in adolescents. Insulin aspart was the most common short-acting insulin, with the proportion of users increasing from 56% in the age group of younger than 6 years to 69%-70% in the 13-17 years age group. The daily dose of insulin pump therapy was 10 units lower than multiple daily injection (MDI) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: We found a marked age dependency for pump use, with a strong increase observed in the youngest age group. Insulin aspart was the most frequently used analogue insulin. A higher total daily insulin dose was shown in patients on MDI versus insulin pump, along with a significant age dependency.

Safe use of a once-a-week glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist in a 16-year-old girl with type 2 diabetes when approved therapy options fail.

This case report demonstrates that using a non-approved long-acting GLP-1-RA (dulaglutide) in adolescents with T2D is possible and feasible under special circumstances when approved therapeutic options for the pediatric population fail to achieve adequate glycemic control.

Prevalence of urinary system, pelvic organ, and genital tract disorders among women with type 1 diabetes in Germany.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes can lead to various long-term complications including macro- and microvascular disorders and osteoporosis. However, published data on the association between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and urinary system and genital tract disorders is limited. The aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of urinary system- and genital tract disorders among women with T1D treated in gynecological practices in Germany. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included women aged 16 years or older with T1D diagnosis between January 2015 and December 2018 from 268 gynecological practices in Germany (IMS Disease Analyzer database). T1D patients were matched 1:5 by age and physician with non-diabetic patients. The main outcome of the study was the prevalence of different urinary system, pelvic organ and genital tract disorders documented between the first documentation of T1D diagnosis and the last outpatient visit. All study disorders were included as dependent variables in multivariate logistic regression models, while T1D was applied as an impact variable. In each model, the effect of T1D on the defined disorder was adjusted for all other study disorders. RESULTS: The present study included 1357 women with and 6785 women without T1D (mean age 45.6 years). T1D was significantly associated with acute vulvitis (OR: 2.12 (95% CI: 1.56-2.90), other specified urinary incontinence (OR: 1.64 (95% CI: 1.19-2.26), acute cystitis (OR: 1.46 (95% CI: 1.10-1.95), and absent, scanty and rare menstruation (OR: 1.37 (95% CI: 1.13-1.67). CONCLUSION: These findings may have implications for the future care of women with T1D. Firstly, the focus should not be on diabetes management alone, but also on identifying and handling additional associated comorbidities including urinary system and genital tract disorders. Secondly, the data suggest that patients with T1D should be asked specifically about symptoms they may be experiencing that are related to the associated disorders identified.

Safely finishing a half marathon by an adult with type 1 diabetes using a commercially available hybrid closed-loop system.

Glycemic targets are often difficult to achieve in people with type 1 diabetes, especially during exercise. Consequently, many people with type 1 diabetes avoid sports as a result of fear of hypoglycemia. Strenuous physical activity, such as a half marathon, imposes difficulties on people with type 1 diabetes. The first commercial hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system with the potential to facilitate better diabetes management during exercise has recently been marketed. So far, no data on HCL performance during strenuous exercise have been published. A woman with well-controlled type 1 diabetes participated in and safely finished a half marathon while undergoing HCL therapy. HCL could safely establish glycemic control without causing either hypo- or relevant hyperglycemia, and without the need for rescue carbohydrates while running. In the days after the half marathon, there was no change in glycemic control compared with the period before.

Glucose management for exercise using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) systems in type 1 diabetes: position statement of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) endorsed by JDRF and supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Physical exercise is an important component in the management of type 1 diabetes across the lifespan. Yet, acute exercise increases the risk of dysglycaemia, and the direction of glycaemic excursions depends, to some extent, on the intensity and duration of the type of exercise. Understandably, fear of hypoglycaemia is one of the strongest barriers to incorporating exercise into daily life. Risk of hypoglycaemia during and after exercise can be lowered when insulin-dose adjustments are made and/or additional carbohydrates are consumed. Glycaemic management during exercise has been made easier with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems; however, because of the complexity of CGM and isCGM systems, both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare professionals may struggle with the interpretation of given information to maximise the technological potential for effective use around exercise (i.e. before, during and after). This position statement highlights the recent advancements in CGM and isCGM technology, with a focus on the evidence base for their efficacy to sense glucose around exercise and adaptations in the use of these emerging tools, and updates the guidance for exercise in adults, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Graphical abstract.

Glucose management for exercise using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) systems in type 1 diabetes: position statement of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) endorsed by JDRF and supported by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Physical exercise is an important component in the management of type 1 diabetes across the lifespan. Yet, acute exercise increases the risk of dysglycaemia, and the direction of glycaemic excursions depends, to some extent, on the intensity and duration of the type of exercise. Understandably, fear of hypoglycaemia is one of the strongest barriers to incorporating exercise into daily life. Risk of hypoglycaemia during and after exercise can be lowered when insulin-dose adjustments are made and/or additional carbohydrates are consumed. Glycaemic management during exercise has been made easier with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) systems; however, because of the complexity of CGM and isCGM systems, both individuals with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare professionals may struggle with the interpretation of given information to maximise the technological potential for effective use around exercise (ie, before, during and after). This position statement highlights the recent advancements in CGM and isCGM technology, with a focus on the evidence base for their efficacy to sense glucose around exercise and adaptations in the use of these emerging tools, and updates the guidance for exercise in adults, children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Changes in the utilization of blood glucose test strips among patients using intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring in Germany.

AIM: To compare the daily consumption of blood glucose test strips (BGTSs) prior to and after the initiation of intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring (iscCGM). METHODS: This study included 1343 adults (≥18 years) with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D; mean age 51.4 years; 39.1% women) from the IMS Disease Analyzer database with an initial prescription of iscCGM in Germany between January 2015 and July 2018 (index date). We compared the average daily BGTS consumption after the index date versus prior to the index date. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between predefined variables and the probability of no longer using BGTSs after the index date. RESULTS: The mean (SD) daily BGTS consumption per patient decreased from 2.7 (3.0) prior to the index date to 1.4 (2.4) after the index date, and was similar in patients with T1D and those with T2D, in women and men, and across different age groups, as well in patients treated in diabetologist practices and those treated in general practices. In total, 40% of patients continued to use BGTSs, and 30% used them at least once daily. Male sex and glycated haemoglobin concentration (<6.5%), as well as less frequent use of BGTSs prior to the index date, were positively associated with non-use of BGTS after the index date. CONCLUSION: The daily consumption of BGTS was greatly reduced after the initiation of iscCGM use in patients with diabetes. However, some patients still used BGTSs in addition to iscCGM.

Temporal Trends and Contemporary Use of Insulin Pump Therapy and Glucose Monitoring Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Between 1995 and 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate temporal trends and contemporary use of insulin pump therapy and glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In a population-based study, we analyzed the use of insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) from 1995 to 2017 in patients with type 1 diabetes identified from the Diabetes Prospective Follow-up (DPV) database in Germany and Austria. Patients were stratified by age, sex, migration background, and country. RESULTS: Among 96,547 patients with type 1 diabetes (median age 17.9 years, 53% males), the percentage using insulin pump therapy increased from 1% in 1995 to 53% in 2017, with the highest rates in the youngest patients (92% in preschoolers, 74% in children, 56% in adolescents aged <15 years, 46% in adolescents aged ≥15 years, 37% in adults). The percentage of patients using CGM increased from 3% in 2006 to 38% in 2017, with the highest rates in the youngest patients (58%, 52%, 45%, 33%, and 15% of respective age-groups). Daily SMBG frequencies increased from 1995 to 2016 and decreased afterward, most prominently in the youngest patients. Between 2015 and 2017, pump therapy was more frequently used in female versus male adolescents and adults (all P < 0.001), while no sex differences were observed for pump use in children <10 years (all P = 1.0) and for CGM use in all age-groups (all P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Since 1995, insulin pump use has continuously increased, and insulin pump therapy is now standard in patients aged <15 years. CGM use sharply rose in recent years, particularly in young children.