New therapies towards a better glycemic control in youths with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most frequent form of diabetes in pediatric age, affecting more than 1.5 million people younger than age 20 years worldwide. Early and intensive control of diabetes provides continued protection against both microvascular and macrovascular complications, enhances growth, and ensures normal pubertal development. In the absence of definitive reversal therapy for this disease, achieving and maintaining the recommended glycemic targets is crucial. In the last 30 years, enormous progress has been made using technology to better treat T1D. In spite of this progress, the majority of children, adolescents and young adults do not reach the recommended targets for glycemic control and assume a considerable burden each day. The development of promising new therapeutic advances, such as more physiologic insulin analogues, pioneering diabetes technology including continuous glucose monitoring and closed loop systems as well as new adjuvant drugs, anticipate a new paradigm in T1D management over the next few years. This review presents insights into current management of T1D in youths.

Safety, metabolic and psychological outcomes of Medtronic MiniMed 670G in children, adolescents and young adults: a systematic review.

Hybrid closed loop (HCL) systems are the combination of a pump for insulin delivery and a glucose sensor for continuous glucose monitoring. These systems are managed by an algorithm, which delivers insulin on the basis of the interstitial glucose levels. The MiniMed™ 670G system was the first HCL system available for clinical purpose. In this paper, we reviewed the literature about metabolic and psychological outcomes in children, adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes treated with MiniMed™ 670G. Only 30 papers responded to the inclusion criteria and thus were considered. All the papers show that the system is safe and effective in managing glucose control. Metabolic outcomes are available up to 12 months of follow-up; longer study period are lacking. This HCL system may improve HbA1c up to 7.1% and time in range up to 73%. The time spent in hypoglycaemia is almost neglectable. Better improvement in blood glucose control is observed in patients with higher HbA1c at HCL system start and larger daily use of auto-mode functionality.     Conclusion: The Medtronic MiniMed™ 670G is safe and well accepted, without any increase in the burden for patients. Some papers report an improvement in the psychological outcomes, but other papers do not confirm this finding. So far, it significantly improves the management of diabetes mellitus in children, adolescents and young adults. Proper training and support by the diabetes team are mandatory. Studies for a period longer than 1 year would be appreciated to better understand the potentiality of this system. What is Known: • The Medtronic MiniMedTM 670G is a hybrid closed loop system which combines a continuous glucose monitoring sensor with an insulin pump. • It has been the first hybrid closed loop system available for clinical purpose. Adequate training and patients support play a key role in diabetes management. What is New: • The Medtronic MiniMedTM 670G may improve HbA1c and CGM metrics up to 1-year of follow-up, but the improvement appears lower than advanced hybrid closed loop systems. This system is effective to prevent hypoglycaemia. • The psychosocial effects remain less understood in terms of improvement of psychosocial outcomes. The system has been considered to provide flexibility and independence by the patients and their caregivers. The workload required to use this system is perceived as a burden by the patients who decrease the use of auto-mode functionality over time.

Psychometric analysis of the cross-cultural Spanish version of the diabetes management questionnaire.

Evaluation of the degree of adherence to self-care among Spanish type 1 diabetes (T1DM) pediatric population lacks of a validated tool. PURPOSE: To cross-culturally adapt and determine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Diabetes Management Questionnaire to assess the degree of adherence to self-care among children with T1DM. METHODS: Translation, back-translation, and patient suggestions, were considered to obtain the Spanish version (DMQ-Sp). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 323 children (aged 8-18 years) with T1DM and their parents to determine internal reliability, structural validity, and external validity. Responsiveness to change was analyzed through a prospective longitudinal study involving 102 newly diagnosed T1DM patients. Psychometrics were evaluated for the entire sample and stratified by age (8-12 and 13-18 years). RESULTS: A total of 323 children with T1DM [49.8% female; age 13.3 ± 2.8 years; 155 aged 8-12; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value 7.7 ± 1.0%] answered the Spanish final version. The internal consistency Cronbach's alpha was 0.76 and intraclass correlation coefficient 0.84. Test-retest reliability was r = 0.84 (p < 0.001). Fit index of structural validity was >0.7. External validity correlated inversely with HbA1c (r = -0.39; p < 0.001). The DMQ-Sp score increased significantly after 6 months of receiving the full therapeutic education program (TEP) (baseline 57.07 ± 10.81 vs. 6 months 78.80 ± 10.31; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The DMQ-Sp is reliable, valid, and sensitive to change in a large sample of children (aged 8-18 years) with T1DM and their parents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: DMQ-Sp can be a useful tool for diabetes teams to identify adherence to different tasks and to evaluate TEPs.

Twenty years of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes Science Schools programs: Assessment of their impact on the participants' personal careers and networking development.

OBJECTIVE: The following report describes the evaluation of the ISPAD Science School for Physicians (ISSP) and for Healthcare Professionals (ISSHP) in terms of their efficiency and success. METHODS: All past attendees from 2000-2019 ISSP and 2004-2019 ISSHP programs were invited to respond to an online survey to assess perceived outcomes of the programs on career development, scientific enhancement, scientific networking, and social opportunities. RESULTS: One-third of the past ISSP (129/428), and approximately 43% of the past ISSHP attendees (105/245) responded to the surveys. Most of ISSP attendees reported that the programs supported their career (82%) by helping to achieve a research position (59%), being engaged with diabetes care (68%) or research (63%) or starting a research fellowship (59%). Responders indicated that ISSP was effective in increasing interest in diabetes research (87%) and enhancing the number (66%) and quality (83%) of scientific productions, and promotion of international collaborations (86%). After the ISSP, 34% of responders received research grants. From the first round of the ISSHP survey (2004-2013), responders reported have improved knowledge (60%), gained more confidence in research (69%), undertaken a research project (63%), and achieved a higher academic degree (27%). From the second round (2014-2019), participants indicated that the program was valuable/useful in workplace (94%) through understanding (89%) and conducting (68%) research and establishing communication from other participants (64%) or from faculty (42%). After the ISSHP, 17% had received awards. CONCLUSIONS: From the participants' viewpoint, both programs were effective in improving engagement with diabetes research, supporting career opportunities, increasing scientific skills, and enhancing networking and research activities.

Children and youth with diabetes are not at increased risk for hospitalization due to COVID-19.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), responsible for the coronavirus disease COVID-19, was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Diabetes, as well as other cardiovascular comorbidities, has been recognized as a major risk factor for outcomes and mortality in adults with COVID-19, particularly in the elderly with type 2 diabetes. Based on these conclusions, COVID-19 data on adults have been generalized to youth with diabetes. Nevertheless, experience from pediatric diabetes practices in China (Wuhan), Italy, Spain (Catalonia), and the United States (San Francisco Bay Area) consistently report only a single severe case of COVID-19 in a 20-year-old female youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that was hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia and was subsequently discharged without complications. In Italy, information on COVID-19 in all children with diabetes is collected on a weekly basis and those with positive swab test or infection-related symptoms reported to a dedicated national registry. Of a total of 15 500 children tested, 11 subjects with T1D (age 8-17y) tested positive for COVID-19; 6/11 were asymptomatic and the rest presented with mild symptoms. In the rest of locations, youths with T1D diagnosed with COVID-19 were based on clinical suspicion and a confirmatory PCR test (Wuhan:0; Catalonia-HSJD:3; California-Stanford:2). All of them were asymptomatic or had a mild course. We suggest that COVID-19 data from adults should not be generalized to children, adolescents, and youth with diabetes as their outcomes and prognosis seem to be similar to their non-diabetic-peers and consistently milder than adults with diabetes.

Telemedicine and COVID-19 pandemic: The perfect storm to mark a change in diabetes care. Results from a world-wide cross-sectional web-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine for routine care of people with diabetes (PwD) during the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly increased in many countries, helping to address the several barriers usually seen. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experience on telemedicine use in diabetes care and investigate the changes and challenges associated with its implementation. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed through the global network of JENIOUS members of ISPAD. Respondents' professional and practice profiles, clinic sizes, their country of practice, and data regarding local telemedicine practices during COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. RESULTS: Answers from 209 HCPs from 33 countries were analyzed. During the pandemic, the proportion of PwD receiving telemedicine visits increased from <10% (65.1% of responders) to >50% (66.5%). There was an increase in specific privacy requirements for remote visits (37.3% to 75.6%), data protection policies (42.6% to 74.2%) and reimbursement for remote care (from 41.1% to 76.6%). Overall, 83.3% HCPs reported to be satisfied with the use of telemedicine. Some concerns (17.5%) about the complexity and heterogeneity of the digital platforms to be managed in everyday practice remain, feeding the need for unifying and making interoperable the tools for remote care. Also, 45.5% of professionals reported to feel stressed by the need for extra-time for telemedicine consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine was rapidly and broadly adopted during the pandemic globally. Some issues related to its use were promptly addressed by local institutions. Challenges with the use of different platforms and for the need of extra-time still remain to be solved.

Association of diabetic ketoacidosis and HbA1c at onset with year-three HbA1c in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: Data from the International SWEET Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or HbA1c at onset is associated with year-three HbA1c in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: Children with T1D from the SWEET registry, diagnosed <18 years, with documented clinical presentation, HbA1c at onset and follow-up were included. Participants were categorized according to T1D onset: (a) DKA (DKA with coma, DKA without coma, no DKA); (b) HbA1c at onset (low [<10%], medium [10 to <12%], high [≥12%]). To adjust for demographics, linear regression was applied with interaction terms for DKA and HbA1c at onset groups (adjusted means with 95% CI). Association between year-three HbA1c and both HbA1c and presentation at onset was analyzed (Vuong test). RESULTS: Among 1420 children (54% males; median age at onset 9.1 years [Q1;Q3: 5.8;12.2]), 6% of children experienced DKA with coma, 37% DKA without coma, and 57% no DKA. Year-three HbA1c was lower in the low compared to high HbA1c at onset group, both in the DKA without coma (7.1% [6.8;7.4] vs 7.6% [7.5;7.8], P = .03) and in the no DKA group (7.4% [7.2;7.5] vs 7.8% [7.6;7.9], P = .01), without differences between low and medium HbA1c at onset groups. Year-three HbA1c did not differ among HbA1c at onset groups in the DKA with coma group. HbA1c at onset as an explanatory variable was more closely associated with year-three HbA1c compared to presentation at onset groups (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Year-three HbA1c is more closely related to HbA1c than to DKA at onset; earlier hyperglycemia detection might be crucial to improving year-three HbA1c.

The influence of treatment, age at onset, and metabolic control on height in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes-A SWEET collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the association between height, demographics, and treatment in youths with type 1 diabetes participating in an international network for pediatric diabetes centers (SWEET). METHODS: Data were collected from 55 centers with documented patients' height. All subjects below 20 years of age, diabetes duration >1 year, and without celiac disease were included. World Health Organization growth charts were used to calculate height and body mass index z-scores. Multiple hierarchic regression models adjusting for known confounders were applied. RESULTS: Data on 22 941 subjects (51.8% male) were analyzed with a median and interquartile range for age 14.8 years (11.2, 17.6), diabetes duration 5.6 years (3.1, 8.9), and height z-score 0.34 (-0.37, 1.03). Children were taller in the youngest age groups: adjusted height z-scores of 0.31 (±0.06) and 0.39 (±0.06), respectively; with shorter diabetes duration (<2 years: 0.36 [±0.06]; 2-<5 years: 0.34 [±0.06]; ≥5 years: 0.21 [±0.06]) and if they were pump users: 0.35 ± 0.05 vs 0.25 ± 0.05 (>three injections/day and 0.19 ± 0.06 [0-3 injections daily]), respectively. High hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and low to normal weight were associated with a lower height z-score. Trends were identical in all models except for gender. No gender differences were found except in the final height model where females exhibited higher z-score than males. CONCLUSION: For youths treated at centers offering modern diabetes management, major growth disturbances are virtually eliminated. For children with a young age at onset, high HbA1c, injections, and/or non-intensive diabetes, treatment still requires attention in order to attain normal growth.

Insulin pump therapy in children with type 1 diabetes: analysis of data from the SWEET registry.

BACKGROUND: Intensified insulin delivery using multiple daily injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is recommended in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to achieve good metabolic control. OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency of pump usage in T1D children treated in SWEET (Better control in Paediatric and Adolescent diabeteS: Working to crEate CEnTers of Reference) centers and to compare metabolic control between patients treated with CSII vs MDI. METHODS: This study included 16 570 T1D children participating in the SWEET prospective, multicenter, standardized diabetes patient registry. Datasets were aggregated over the most recent year of treatment for each patient. Data were collected until March 2016. To assess the organization of pump therapy a survey was carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 44.4% of T1D children were treated with CSII. The proportion of patients with pump usage varied between centers and decreased with increasing age compared with children treated with MDI. In a logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, gender and diabetes duration, the use of pump was associated with both: center size [odd ratio 1.51 (1.47-1.55), P < .0001) and the diabetes-related expenditure per capita [odd ratio 1.55 (1.49-1.61), P < .0001]. Linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender, and diabetes duration showed that both HbA1c and daily insulin dose (U/kg/d) remained decreased in children treated with CSII compared to MDI (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin pump therapy is offered by most Sweet centers. The differences between centers affect the frequency of use of modern technology. Despite the heterogeneity of centers, T1D children achieve relatively good metabolic control, especially those treated with insulin pumps and those of younger age.

Influence of socioeconomic factors on glycemic control, therapeutic adherence and quality of life in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To stablish the relationship between socioeconomic status of a cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with glycemic control, therapeutic adherence and diabetes quality of life (DQoL). PATIENTS Y METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study with consecutive inclusion was carried out. Participants aged 8-18 years with T1D duration >1 year. Data on family structure, family income, parents' educational level and parental role on primary diabetes care supervision were registered. Adherence (DMQ-Sp) and DQoL (PedsQl) were analyzed. Linear and logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, family structure and parental role on primary diabetes care responsibility were applied. RESULTS: A total of 323 patients (T1D duration 5,3 ±â€¯3,3 years; HbA1c 7,7 ±â€¯1,0%; age 13,3 ±â€¯2,8 years; 49,8% females) were included. Patients living in a nuclear family and those whose main diabetes care supervision was shared by both parents showed lower HbA1c [adjusted for demographics and family structure (7,06; CI 95% 6,52-7,59); adjusted for demographics and role on primary diabetes care supervision (7,43; CI 95% 6,57-8,28)]. DMQ-Sp score (adjusted for demographics and role on main supervision) was higher in patients whose parents shared the diabetes care supervision (84,56; CI 95% 73,93-95,19). Parents sharing diabetes care supervision showed a significantly higher PedsQl score (both 74,63 ±â€¯12,70 vs mother 68,53 ±â€¯14,59; p = 0,001). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with T1D had lower HbA1c, better therapeutic adherence and better DQoL when lived in a nuclear family, with higher socioeconomic status and the responsibility for supervising diabetes care was shared by both parents.

Expert Recommendations for Using Time-in-Range and Other Continuous Glucose Monitoring Metrics to Achieve Patient-Centered Glycemic Control in People With Diabetes.

New metrics for assessing glycemic control beyond HbA1c have recently emerged due to the increasing use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetes clinical practice. Among them, time in range (TIR) has appeared as a simple and intuitive metric that correlates inversely with HbA1c and has also been newly linked to the risk of long-term diabetes complications. The International Consensus on Time in Range established a series of target glucose ranges (TIR, time below range and time above range) and recommendations for time spent within these ranges for different diabetes populations. These parameters should be evaluated together with the ambulatory glucose profile (AGP). Using standardized visual reporting may help people with diabetes and healthcare professionals in the evaluation of glucose control in frequent clinical situations. The objective of the present review is to provide practical insights to quick interpretation of patient-centered metrics based on flash glucose monitoring data, as well as showing some visual examples of common clinical situations and giving practical recommendations for their management.

Association of Achieving Time in Range Clinical Targets With Treatment Modality Among Youths With Type 1 Diabetes.

Importance: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have demonstrated efficacy in adults and more recently in youths and older adults with type 1 diabetes. In adults with type 1 diabetes, the use of real-time CGM compared with intermittently scanned CGM was associated with improved glycemic control, but there are limited data available for youths. Objective: To assess real-world data on achievement of time in range clinical targets associated with different treatment modalities in youths with type 1 diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multinational cohort study included children, adolescents, and young adults younger than 21 years (hereinafter referred to collectively as youths) with type 1 diabetes for a duration of at least 6 months who provided CGM data between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Participants were enrolled from the international Better Control in Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes: Working to Create Centers of Reference (SWEET) registry. Data from 21 countries were included. Participants were divided into 4 treatment modalities: intermittently scanned CGM with or without insulin pump use and real-time CGM with or without insulin pump use. Exposures: Type 1 diabetes and the use of CGM with or without an insulin pump. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of individuals in each treatment modality group achieving recommended CGM clinical targets. Results: Among the 5219 participants (2714 [52.0%] male; median age, 14.4 [IQR, 11.2-17.1] years), median duration of diabetes was 5.2 (IQR, 2.7-8.7) years and median hemoglobin A1c level was 7.4% (IQR, 6.8%-8.0%). Treatment modality was associated with the proportion of individuals achieving recommended clinical targets. Adjusted for sex, age, diabetes duration, and body mass index standard deviation score, the proportion achieving the recommended greater than 70% time in range target was highest with real-time CGM plus insulin pump use (36.2% [95% CI, 33.9%-38.4%]), followed by real-time CGM plus injection use (20.9% [95% CI, 18.0%-24.1%]), intermittently scanned CGM plus injection use (12.5% [95% CI, 10.7%-14.4%]), and intermittently scanned CGM plus insulin pump use (11.3% [95% CI, 9.2%-13.8%]) (P < .001). Similar trends were observed for less than 25% time above (real-time CGM plus insulin pump, 32.5% [95% CI, 30.4%-34.7%]; intermittently scanned CGM plus insulin pump, 12.8% [95% CI, 10.6%-15.4%]; P < .001) and less than 4% time below range target (real-time CGM plus insulin pump, 73.1% [95% CI, 71.1%-75.0%]; intermittently scanned CGM plus insulin pump, 47.6% [95% CI, 44.1%-51.1%]; P < .001). Adjusted time in range was highest among real-time CGM plus insulin pump users (64.7% [95% CI, 62.6%-66.7%]). Treatment modality was associated with the proportion of participants experiencing severe hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis events. Conclusions and Relevance: In this multinational cohort study of youths with type 1 diabetes, concurrent use of real-time CGM and an insulin pump was associated with increased probability of achieving recommended clinical targets and time in range target as well as lower probability of severe adverse events compared with other treatment modalities.

Type 1 Diabetes Patient Experiences Before and After Transfer from a Paediatric to an Adult Hospital.

Introduction: The management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is especially complex during adolescence when youths are transferred to adult care centres. The objectives of this qualitative study were to: a) determine the expectations of young T1D patients prior to transfer, b) evaluate the transfer process between the 2 centres, and c) evaluate the therapeutic education and care programme (TECP) in the adult centre from their point of view. Material and Methods: Opinion sampling of adolescents from 2018-2019 was performed: Phase 1: adolescents with T1D prior to transfer to the adult hospital; Phase 2: adolescents with T1D one or two years after transfer and having undergone TECP. A focus group (1.5h) and semi-structured interviews (45 min) were performed and taped, transcribed, and sent to the participants for confirmation. Date analysis was performed of the transcriptions of the focus group and interviews. Fragments were selected and meta-categories created. Results: Eleven youths accepted to participate: 7 in Phase 1, 4 repeated in Phase 2 and 4 more transferred 2 years previously were added. The meta-categories obtained were: 1) perception of the quality of care and therapeutic education in the paediatric hospital. 2) transfer to the adult hospital. 3) experience of the youths 1-2 years after transfer and having undergone TECP. The data are presented in narrative form and are supported with text fragments of the participants' discussions. Discussion and conclusions: Analysis of patients' experience complemented by clinical-educational evaluation of TECP provides understanding of the perspectives of youths on the complexity of living with a chronic disease since childhood. It also provides information regarding the factors favouring quality care and therapeutic education, the complexity of transfer from paediatric to adult care, determination of the strong and weak points and the establishment of strategies to improve the programme.

Increased Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Changes in Age and Month of Type 1 Diabetes at Onset during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain.

Objective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the presenting characteristics (age at diagnosis, severity, monthly distribution) of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Spanish children. Research Design and Methods: An ambispective observational multicenter study was conducted in nine Spanish tertiary-level hospitals between January 2015 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria: new cases of type 1 diabetes in children (0-14 years) recording age, sex, date of diagnosis, presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset, and severity of DKA. Data were compared before and during the pandemic. Results: We registered 1444 new cases of type 1 diabetes in children: 1085 in the pre-pandemic period (2015-2019) and 359 during the pandemic (2020-March 2021). There was a significant increase in the group aged ≤4 years in the pandemic period (chi-squared = 10.986, df 2, p = 0.0041). In 2020-2021, cases of DKA increased significantly by 12% (95% CI: 7.2-20.4%), with a higher percentage of moderate and severe DKA, although this increase was not significant. In 2020, there was a sharp decrease in the number of cases in March, with a progressive increase from May through November, higher than in the same months of the period 2015-2019, highlighting the increase in the number of cases in June, September, and November. The first three months of 2021 showed a different trend to that observed both in the years 2015-2019 and in 2020, with a marked increase in the number of cases. Conclusions: A change in monthly distribution was described, with an increase in DKA at onset of type 1 diabetes. No differences were found in severity, although there were differences in the age distribution, with an increase in the number of cases in children under 4 years of age.

Glycemic Outcome Associated With Insulin Pump and Glucose Sensor Use in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes. Data From the International Pediatric Registry SWEET.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin delivery methods, glucose-monitoring modalities, and related outcomes were examined in a large, international, diverse cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes from the Better Control in Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes: Working to Create Centers of Reference (SWEET) -Registry. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants with type 1 diabetes of ≥1 year, aged ≤18 years, and who had documented pump or sensor usage during the period August 2017-July 2019 were stratified into four categories: injections-no sensor (referent); injections + sensor; pump-no sensor; and pump + sensor. HbA1c and proportion of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or severe hypoglycemia (SH) were analyzed; linear and logistic regression models adjusted for demographics, region, and gross domestic product per capita were applied. RESULTS: Data of 25,654 participants were analyzed. The proportions of participants (adjusted HbA1c data) by study group were as follows: injections-no sensor group, 37.44% (8.72; 95% CI 8.68-8.75); injections + sensor group, 14.98% (8.30; 95% CI 8.25-8.35); pump-no sensor group, 17.22% (8.07; 95% CI 8.03-8.12); and pump + sensor group, 30.35% (7.81; 95% CI 7.77-7.84). HbA1c was lower in all categories of participants who used a pump and/or sensor compared with the injections-no sensor treatment method (P < 0.001). The proportion of DKA episodes was lower in participants in the pump + sensor (1.98%; 95% CI 1.64-2.48; P < 0.001) and the pump-no sensor (2.02%; 95% CI 1.64-2.48; P < 0.05) groups when compared with those in the injections-no sensor group (2.91%; 95% CI 2.59-3.31). The proportion of participants experiencing SH was lower in pump-no sensor group (1.10%; 95% CI 0.85-1.43; P < 0.001) but higher in the injections + sensor group (4.25%; 95% CI 3.65-4.95; P < 0.001) compared with the injections-no sensor group (2.35%; 95% CI 2.04-2.71). CONCLUSIONS: Lower HbA1c and fewer DKA episodes were observed in participants using either a pump or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) or both. Pump use was associated with a lower rate of SH. Across SWEET centers, use of pumps and CGM is increasing. The concomitant use of pump and CGM was associated with an additive benefit.

Collaboration for rare diabetes: understanding new treatment options for Wolfram syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Wolfram Syndrome is a very rare genetic disease causing diabetes mellitus, blindness, deafness, diabetes insipidus, and progressive brainstem degeneration. Neurologic symptoms of affected patients include ataxia, sleep apnea, loss of bladder control, dysphagia, loss of taste, and accompanying psychiatric symptoms as a sign of progressive neurodegeneration. Its genetic cause is mainly biallelic mutations of the Wolframin endoplasmatic reticulum transmembrane glycoprotein gene Wfs1. These result in increased ER stress, which in turn induces apoptosis and leads to the depletion of the corresponding cells and a loss of their physiological functions. Though diabetes mellitus is mostly treated by insulin, there is still no proven cure for the disease in general. It leads to premature death in affected individuals-usually within the 4th decade of live. CURRENT RESEARCH AND TREATMENT TRIALS: Clinical studies are currently being conducted at various locations worldwide to test a therapy for the disease using various approaches. POTENTAIL OF VIRTUAL NETOWRKING: As rare diseases in general represent a major challenge for individual clinicians and researchers due to the rarity of diagnosis, the lack of evidence and of value of existing research, international cooperation, coordination and networking leading to an alignment of different stakeholders is necessary to support patients and increase knowledge about these diseases, like wolfram syndrome. CONCLUSION: ENDO-ERN and EURRECA are two EU-funded networks that aim to promote knowledge sharing, education and research on rare endocrine diseases.

Results of a specific and structured program in the transition of young patients with type 1 diabetes from the paediatric center to an adult hospital. The experience of a decade. / Resultados de un programa específico y estructurado en la transición de pacientes jóvenes con diabetes tipo 1 desde pediatría a un hospital de adultos. La experiencia de una década.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the results of a healthcare and therapeutic education programme (TEP) aimed at young patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) transferred from a paediatric centre. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective, pre-postest in young T1D patients transferred from 2005-2015. The programme has four phases: coordinated transfer, evaluation and objective pacting, knowledge (DKQ2) adherence (SCI-R.es) and quality of life (DQoL and SF12). Results were compared according to Multiple Daily Injections (MDI) vs. Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusión (CSII) and adherence (SCI-R.es < 65 vs. > 65%). RESULTS: A total of 330 patients were transferred (age 18.19 ± 0.82 years, 49% females, glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 8.6 ± 1.4%). The programme was completed by 68%, and 61% did a group course. While no changes in HbA1c were observed at one year (8.3 ± 1.4 vs. 8.2 ± 1.4%), there were changes in severe hypoglycaemias/patient/year (0.23 ± 0.64 to 0.05 ± 0.34 p < 0.001) and mild > 5 hypoglycaemias/patient/week (6.9% vs. 3.9% p = 0.09). DQK2 knowledge increased (25.7 ± 3.6 vs. 27.8 ± 3.8 p < 0.001), with no changes in quality of life or grade of adherence. Patients with CSII (n = 21) performed more blood glucose controls and showed greater programme adherence with no changes in metabolic control. Patients with the best initial adherence presented the best control (p < 0.0001). A lower initial HbA1c and receiving the group course were associated with better clinical HbA1c results ≥ 0.5% (p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: The TEP improved some parameters of metabolic control without modifying the quality of life in young T1D patients. When comparing patients on MDI vs. CSII, there were no differences in metabolic control but there were when differences were evaluated considering treatment adherence.

COVID-19 associated with diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases led to a global health crisis.

COVID-19 has gravely threatened high-risk populations, such as people with diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases, leading to disproportionate hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. It is well documented from previous outbreaks that diabetes increases the risk for poor outcomes due to SARS infection. In the present review, we bring evidence that the country and global level health crisis caused by COVID-19 could have been avoided or extremely minimized if measures to protect high-risk populations were implemented timely. In addition to general lockdowns, testing, tracing, isolation and hygiene measures, other specific interventions for diabetes and comorbidities management were shown crucial to allow the continuation of care services during the pandemic. These interventions included: teleconsultation, digital remote education andmonitoring, e-prescriptions, medicine delivery options, mobile clinics, and home point-of-care tests. In conclusion, we recommend prompt actions to protect the most vulnerable groups, valuing knowledge and experiences from previous outbreaks and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to shield communities, health systems and the global economy.