Racial Differences in the Relationship of Glucose Concentrations and Hemoglobin A1c Levels.

Background: Debate exists as to whether the higher hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels observed in black persons than in white persons are due to worse glycemic control or racial differences in the glycation of hemoglobin. Objective: To determine whether a racial difference exists in the relationship of mean glucose and HbA1c. Design: Prospective, 12-week observational study. Setting: 10 diabetes centers in the United States. Participants: 104 black persons and 104 white persons aged 8 years or older who had had type 1 diabetes for at least 2 years and had an HbA1c level of 6.0% to 12.0%. Measurements: Mean glucose concentration, measured by using continuous glucose monitoring and compared by race with HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine values. Results: The mean HbA1c level was 9.1% in black persons and 8.3% in white persons. For a given HbA1c level, the mean glucose concentration was significantly lower in black persons than in white persons (P = 0.013), which was reflected in mean HbA1c values in black persons being 0.4 percentage points (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6 percentage points) higher than those in white persons for a given mean glucose concentration. In contrast, no significant racial differences were found in the relationship of glycated albumin and fructosamine levels with the mean glucose concentration (P > 0.20 for both comparisons). Limitation: There were too few participants with HbA1c levels less than 6.5% to generalize the results to such individuals. Conclusion: On average, HbA1c levels overestimate the mean glucose concentration in black persons compared with white persons, possibly owing to racial differences in the glycation of hemoglobin. However, because race only partially explains the observed HbA1c differences between black persons and white persons, future research should focus on identifying and modifying barriers impeding improved glycemic control in black persons with diabetes. Primary Funding Source: Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The relationship between neuropsychological assessment, numeracy, and functional status in older adults with type 1 diabetes.

While data are accumulating on the association between neuropsychological performance and real-world endpoints, less is known about the association with medical self-management skills. The self-management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is often complex, and mismanagement can result in hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and associated morbidity and mortality. The T1D Exchange conducted a case-control study evaluating factors associated with severe hypoglycaemia in older adults (≥ 60 years old) with longstanding T1D (≥ 20 years). A battery of neuropsychological and functional assessments was administered, including measures of diabetes-specific self-management skill (diabetes numeracy) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). After adjusting for confounding variables, diabetes numeracy was related to memory and complex speeded attention; while IADL were associated with simple processing speed, executive functioning, complex speeded attention and dominant hand dexterity. The severity of overall cognitive deficit was uniquely associated with both diabetes numeracy and IADL, when controlling for age, education, frailty and depression. This study demonstrates that the cognitive deficits in older adults with T1D have functional implications for both diabetes management and IADL. Further research is needed to determine specific interventions to maximise diabetes self-management in older adults with declining cognition.

Benefits and barriers to participating in longitudinal research of youth-onset type 2 diabetes: Results from the TODAY retention survey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Conducting longitudinal research related to chronic illness in adolescents is inherently challenging due to developmental changes and psychosocial stressors. Participants in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth clinical trial were socioeconomically disadvantaged as well. This study assessed attitudes and beliefs about retention in Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth to shed light on the factors that potentially promote and detract from the likelihood of sustained participation. METHODS: After an average 7.3 years of follow-up (range 4.9-9.5), Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth participants completed a survey examining their perceptions of the benefits and barriers to sustained involvement in the protocol. RESULTS: The most common reasons for staying in Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth included having a strong relationship with the medical team, getting study-provided diabetes care, access to free diabetes medicine and supplies, and being part of a large study to learn more about how to care for youth-onset type 2 diabetes. The most commonly endorsed challenges included scheduling conflicts, possibly disappointing others, difficulties getting to study visits, and the occurrence of other medical issues. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other published reports, a supportive relationship with study staff was commonly endorsed as a benefit of engagement in the longitudinal study, suggesting that rapport, staff consistency, and relationship quality are important components of optimal retention. Moreover, our findings suggest the value of trying to remove logistical barriers, such as transportation and scheduling challenges, in order to promote long-term participation in research. Further research is recommended to evaluate factors that contribute to attrition versus retention in an a priori manner within longitudinal studies, especially protocols involving cohorts that are more vulnerable to attrition due to developmental transitions and/or socioeconomic challenges. Additional efforts to optimize quantitative and qualitative measurement of barriers would also help to expand our understanding of how to optimally retain participants in longitudinal protocols.

A Randomized Comparison of Postprandial Glucose Excursion Using Inhaled Insulin Versus Rapid-Acting Analog Insulin in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Using Multiple Daily Injections of Insulin or Automated Insulin Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare postprandial glucose excursions following a bolus with inhaled technosphere insulin (TI) or subcutaneous rapid-acting analog (RAA) insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A meal challenge was completed by 122 adults with type 1 diabetes who were using multiple daily injections (MDI), a nonautomated pump, or automated insulin delivery (AID) and who were randomized to bolus with their usual RAA insulin (n = 61) or TI (n = 61). RESULTS: The primary outcome, the treatment group difference in area under the curve for glucose >180 mg/dL over 2 h, was less with TI versus RAA (adjusted difference -12 mg/dL, 95% CI -22 to -2, P = 0.02). With TI, the glucose excursion was smaller (P = 0.01), peak glucose lower (P = 0.01), and time to peak glucose shorter (P = 0.006). Blood glucose <70 mg/dL occurred in one participant in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Postmeal glucose excursion was smaller with TI than with RAA insulin in a cohort that included both AID and MDI users.

Longitudinal Changes in Depression Symptoms and Glycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed longitudinal change in depression symptoms over ≥4 years in adults with type 1 diabetes and examined the association between change in depression symptom status and glycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Adults in the T1D Exchange registry with HbA1c and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) at 1 year (baseline) and 5 years post-enrollment (follow-up; n = 2,744, mean age, 42 years; 57% female, 92% white; mean HbA1c, 7.6% [58 mmol/mol]) were included. Depression status was defined as Persistent Elevated Depression Symptoms (EDS) (EDS at baseline and follow-up), Resolved EDS (EDS at baseline, no EDS at follow-up), New Onset EDS (no EDS at baseline, EDS at follow-up), and Not Depressed (no EDS at baseline or follow-up). RESULTS: Overall, 131 (5%) had Persistent EDS, 122 (4%) had Resolved EDS, 168 (6%) had New Onset EDS, and 2,323 (85%) were Not Depressed. Of those with EDS (PHQ ≥ 10) at baseline, 53% had EDS at follow-up; of those not depressed at baseline, 7% had EDS at follow-up. An increase in PHQ-8 was associated with an increase in HbA1c (P < 0.001). Although HbA1c increased in all groups, the increase was less in the Resolved EDS and Not Depressed groups (P = 0.001). Persistent EDS and New Onset EDS groups were more likely to experience diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: T1D Exchange registry data provide evidence for relationships over time between persistently, and newly developing EDSs and worsening glycemic control, and suggest relationships between depression symptoms and the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia and DKA. Successful treatment of depression symptoms may lead to better long-term diabetes outcomes.

Use of a Smartphone Application to Reduce Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia unawareness are common in long-standing type 1 diabetes (T1D). This pilot study examined the real-world use of a smartphone application (app), which receives meter readings and logs hypoglycemic symptoms, causes, and treatments to reduce hypoglycemia. METHODS: Adults with T1D and recent hypoglycemia synchronized their glucose meter to their smartphone and used the Joslin HypoMap™ app powered by Glooko to track hypoglycemic events. At baseline, and after 6 and 12 weeks of using the app, a blinded continuous glucose monitor (CGM; Dexcom G4) was used for 2 weeks and surveys administered. RESULTS: Participants (n = 22) at baseline had mean (SD) age 43 (14) years, duration of diabetes 26 (13) years, A1c 8.0% (0.87) and 21/22 had reduced hypoglycemia awareness per Clarke Hypoglycemia Unawareness survey scores; 13 (59%) were "CGM completers" (CGM data available at baseline and follow-up). Most noncompletion related to time required/difficulties using the mobile app. After 6 weeks, 8/13 completers (62% of CGM completers, 36% of total participants) had reduced daytime minutes with glucose <54 mg/dL (mean ↓331 minutes) and 10/13 (77% of CGM completers; 45% of total participants) had reduced time ≤ 70 mg/dL (mean ↓449 minutes). This was not sustained at 12 weeks, at which time half of the completers had less time ("improved"). Five participants reported improved hypoglycemia awareness; 9 stated the app helped them better recognize hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Use of this phone app has the potential to help reduce daytime hypoglycemia in a subset of T1D adults with reduce hypoglycemia awareness; larger studies are needed.