Equity of PrEP uptake by race, ethnicity, sex and region in the United States in the first decade of PrEP: a population-based analysis.

Background: PrEP was approved for HIV prevention in the US in 2012; uptake has been slow. We describe relative equity with the PrEP Equity Ratio (PER), a ratio of PrEP-to-Need Ratios (PnRs). Methods: We used commercial pharmacy data to enumerate PrEP users by race and ethnicity, sex, and US Census region from 2012 to 2021. We report annual race and ethnicity-, sex-, and region-specific rates of PrEP use and PnR, a metric of PrEP equity, to assess trends. Findings: PrEP use increased for Black, Hispanic and White Americans from 2012 to 2021. By 2021, the rate of PrEP use per population was similar in Black and White populations but slightly lower among Hispanic populations. PnR increased from 2012 to 2021 for all races and ethnicities and regions; levels of PrEP use were inconsistent across regions and highly inequitable by race, ethnicity, and sex. In all regions, PnR was highest for White and lowest for Black people. Inequity in PrEP use by race and ethnicity, as measured by the PER, grew early after availability of PrEP and persisted at a level substantially below equitable PrEP use. Interpretation: From 2012 to 2021, PrEP use increased among Americans, but PrEP equity for Black and Hispanic Americans decreased. The US South lagged all regions in equitable PrEP use. Improved equity in PrEP use will be not only just, but also impactful on the US HIV epidemic; persons most at-risk of acquiring HIV should have the highest levels of access to PrEP. Prevention programs should be guided by PrEP equity, not PrEP equality. Funding: National Institutes of Health, Gilead Sciences.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Profiles in Healthy, Nondiabetic Young Children.

Context: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasingly being used both for day-to-day management in patients with diabetes and in clinical research. While data on glycemic profiles of healthy, nondiabetic individuals exist, data on nondiabetic very young children are lacking. Objective: This work aimed to establish reference sensor glucose ranges in healthy, nondiabetic young children, using a current-generation CGM sensor. Methods: This prospective observational study took place in an institutional practice with healthy, nondiabetic children aged 1 to 6 years with normal body mass index. A blinded Dexcom G6 Pro CGM was worn for approximately 10 days by each participant. Main outcome measures included CGM metrics of mean glucose, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glycemic variability. Results: Thirty-nine participants were included in the analyses. Mean average glucose was 103 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L). Median percentage time between 70 and 140 mg/dL (3.9-7.8 mmol/L) was 96% (interquartile range, 92%-97%), mean within-individual coefficient of variation was 17 ±â€…3%, median time spent with glucose levels greater than 140 mg/dL was 3.4% (49 min/day), and median time less than 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) was 0.4% (6 min/day). Conclusion: Collecting normative sensor glucose data and describing glycemic measures for young children fill an important informational gap and will be useful as a benchmark for future clinical studies.

Incident diabetes complications among women with type 1 diabetes based on parity.

OBJECTIVES: To assess risk factors and incidence of diabetes complications in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) based on parity. RESEARCH DESIGN/METHODS: Data were collected from women (16-40 years old) in the T1D Exchange completing pregnancy/childbirth questionnaires during 2011-2013 and 2016-2018. Incidence of risk factors and diabetes complications were compared between women with a first pregnancy at/within 1-year of enrollment (n = 28) and never pregnant women by year 5 (n = 469). RESULTS: There was a trend for lower HbA1c (adjusted p = .14) and higher rates of overweight/obesity, triglyceride/HDL > 2, log (triglyercide/HDL), and hypertension among parous women compared with nulliparous women. There were no significant differences in rates of advanced nephropathy, albuminuria or cardiovascular disease. CONCLUSIONS: Four-5 years after delivery, parous women with T1D tended to have lower HbA1c levels despite higher body mass indices and more frequent adverse lipid profiles and hypertension compared with nulliparous women. Further studies based on these trends are warranted.

Real-World, Patient-Reported and Clinic Data from Individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Using the MiniMed 670G Hybrid Closed-Loop System.

Background: The purpose of this study was to collect 1 year of real-world data from individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) initiating the Medtronic 670G hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system as part of usual care. We sought to expand current knowledge to understand how use of the system impacts patient-reported outcomes, in addition to clinical outcomes, for children and adults with T1D. Methods: Questionnaires were completed by the participant (and/or parent) before initiation of the 670G system (baseline) and at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months from enrollment. Clinical data were obtained at routine clinical visits. Results: Of 132 participants who initiated Auto Mode, 80 completed the 12-month questionnaires while persisting with the system. Nearly all reported receiving adequate training on the 670G. Participant and parent-reported fear of hypoglycemia decreased by 6 and 11 points, respectively, from baseline to 12 months. More than half reported issues with sleep interruption at night due to alarms and 40% did not like frequent exits from Auto Mode. For the subset who had complete continuous glucose monitor data (n = 27), mean percent time in target range (70-180 mg/dL) was 66% at baseline, and 74% and 68% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: With this study, we have captured real-time feedback from patients with T1D who initiated the 670G system and continued to use it over 12 months regarding their experience with the system. This has helped to illuminate both benefits and burdens associated with the first commercially available hybrid closed-loop system.

Health-related quality of life in parents and partners of people with type 1 diabetes: Development and validation of type 1 diabetes and life (T1DAL) measures.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the significant impact of type 1 diabetes (T1D) on family, few instruments are available to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among family members of people with T1D. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of new measures of diabetes-specific HRQOL for parents and partners of people with T1D. We report on the multistep development and validation process for the self-report Type 1 Diabetes and Life (T1DAL) measures, with versions for parents of youth age <8, 8-11, 12-17, and 18-25 years, and for partners of people age ≥18 years with T1D. METHOD: First, we conducted qualitative interviews (total parents/partners n = 38) to develop draft measures and piloted them (total n = 20). Next, we tested the measures' psychometric properties. Participants (total across versions n = 813) at six T1D Exchange Clinic Network sites completed the appropriate T1DAL measure and validated measures of related constructs. We then reduced each T1DAL measure to 20-30 items in length based on psychometric data and participant feedback. Eleven participants reviewed the final measures via cognitive debriefing. RESULTS: The T1DAL measures for parents and partners demonstrated good internal consistency (α = .80-.88) and test-retest reliability (r = .73-.86). Correlations with measures of general quality of life, generic and diabetes-specific HRQOL, and diabetes burden demonstrated construct validity. Factor analyses identified 3-4 subscales/measure. Participants reported being satisfied with the shortened measures, which took 5-10 minutes to complete. DISCUSSION: The new T1DAL measures for parents and partners of people with T1D are reliable, valid, and ready for use in research and clinical settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of Exercise and Meals on Continuous Glucose Monitor Data in Healthy Individuals Without Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of these analyses was to characterize the effect of exercise and meals on glucose concentrations in healthy individuals without diabetes. METHODS: Healthy individuals without diabetes (age ≥6 years) with nonobese body mass index were enrolled at 12 centers within the T1D Exchange Clinic Network. Participants wore a blinded Dexcom G6 for up to ten days. Throughout this sensor wear, participants completed a daily log indicating times and type of any exercise and start times of meals and snacks. RESULTS: A total of 153 participants (age 7-80 years) were included in the analyses. Exercise induced a mean change of -15 ± 18 mg/dL from baseline to nadir sensor glucose level. Mean nadir glucose concentration during nights following exercise days was 82 ± 11 mg/dL compared with 85 ± 11 mg/dL during nights following nonexercise days (P = .05). Mean change from baseline to nadir sensor glucose level during aerobic exercise was -15 ± 18 and -9 ± 12 mg/dL for resistance exercise (P = .25). Overnight nadir glucose during nights following aerobic and resistance exercise was 83 ± 12 and 76 ± 14 mg/dL, respectively (P = .25). Overall mean peak postprandial glucose per participant increased from 93 ± 10 mg/dL premeal to 130 ± 13 mg/dL with an average time to peak glucose per participant of 97 ± 31 minutes. Consumption of alcohol on the day prior did not impact overnight mean or nadir glucose. CONCLUSION: The present analysis provides important data characterizing the effect of exercise and meals on glucose in healthy individuals without diabetes. These data provide a repository to which future therapies, whether pharmacologic or technologic, can be compared.

Changes in Device Uptake and Glycemic Control Among Pregnant Women With Type 1 Diabetes: Data From the T1D Exchange.

OBJECTIVES: To examine changes in device use and glycemic outcomes for pregnant women from the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry between the years 2010-2013 and 2016-2018. METHODS: Participant-reported device use and glycemic outcomes were compared for women aged 16-40 years who were pregnant at the time of survey completion, comparing 2010-2013 (cohort 1) and 2016-2018 (cohort 2). Hemoglobin A1c results within 30 days prior to survey completion were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: There were 208 pregnant women out of 5,236 eligible participants completing the questionnaire in cohort 1 and 47 pregnant women out of 2,818 eligible participants completing the questionaire in cohort 2. Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use while pregnant trended upward among cohort 2 (70% vs 37%, P = .02), while reported continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) use while pregnant declined (76% vs 64%, P = .04). HbA1c levels trended downward (6.8% cohort 1 vs 6.5% cohort 2, P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported CGM use while pregnant increased over the studied intervals whereas CSII use decreased. Additional evaluation of device use and the potential benefits for T1D pregnancies is needed.

Design and psychometrics for new measures of health-related quality of life in adults with type 1 diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes and Life (T1DAL).

AIMS: To use a three-phase process to develop and validate new self-report measures of diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for adults with type 1 diabetes. We report on four versions of the Type 1 Diabetes and Life (T1DAL) measure for people age 18-25, 26-45, 46-60, and over 60 years. METHODS: We first conducted qualitative interviews to guide measure creation, then piloted the draft measures. We evaluated psychometric properties at six T1D Exchange Clinic Network sites via completion of T1DAL and validated measures of related constructs. Participants completed the T1DAL again in 4-6 weeks. We used psychometric data to reduce each measure to 23-27 items in length. Finally, we obtained participant feedback on the final measures. RESULTS: The T1DAL-Adult measures demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.85-0.88) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.77-0.87). Significant correlations with measures of general quality of life, generic and diabetes-specific HRQOL, diabetes burden, self-management, and glycemic control demonstrated validity. Factor analyses yielded 4-5 subscales per measure. Participants were satisfied with the final measures and reported they took 5-10 min to complete. CONCLUSIONS: The strong psychometric properties of the newly developed self-report T1DAL measures for adults with type 1 diabetes make them appropriate for use in clinical research and care.

Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes: Development and Psychometrics of the Type 1 Diabetes and Life (T1DAL) Measures.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate new measures of diabetes-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) that are brief, developmentally appropriate, and usable in clinical research and care. Here we report on the phases of developing and validating the self-report Type 1 Diabetes and Life (T1DAL) measures for children (age 8-11) and adolescents (age 12-17). METHODS: Measure development included qualitative interviews with youth and parents (n = 16 dyads) followed by piloting draft measures and conducting cognitive debriefing with youth (n = 9) to refine the measures. To evaluate the psychometric properties, children (n = 194) and adolescents (n = 257) at three T1D Exchange Clinic Network sites completed the age-appropriate T1DAL measure and previously validated questionnaires measuring related constructs. Using psychometric data, the investigators reduced the length of each T1DAL measure to 21 and 23 items, respectively, and conducted a final round of cognitive debriefing with six children and adolescents. RESULTS: The T1DAL measures for children and adolescents demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.84 and 0.89, respectively) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.78 and 0.80, respectively). Significant correlations between the T1DAL scores and measures of general quality of life, generic and diabetes-specific HRQOL, diabetes burden, and diabetes strengths demonstrated construct validity. Correlations with measures of self-management (child and adolescent) and glycemic control (adolescent only) demonstrated criterion validity. Factor analyses indicated four developmentally specific subscales per measure. Participants reported satisfaction with the measures. CONCLUSIONS: The new T1DAL measures for children and adolescents with T1D are reliable, valid, and suitable for use in care settings and clinical research.

Cognitions Associated With Hypoglycemia Awareness Status and Severe Hypoglycemia Experience in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) and recurrent severe hypoglycemia (RSH) remain problematic for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), despite major therapeutic advances. We explored beliefs around hypo- and hyperglycemia in adults with T1D with, and without, IAH and RSH. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional U.S. multicenter survey included Attitudes to Awareness of Hypoglycemia (A2A; a 19-item questionnaire concerning beliefs about hypoglycemia), the Gold score (single item: awareness of hypoglycemia), and a question about severe hypoglycemia over the preceding year. The survey was emailed to 6,200 adult participants of the annual T1D Exchange clinic registry data collection. A2A data were subjected to principal component analysis with varimax rotation. RESULTS: Among 1,978 respondents (response rate 32%), 61.7% were women, mean ± SD age was 39.6 ± 16.3 years, and T1D duration was 23.1 ± 13.8 years. Thirty-seven percent reported IAH, 16% RSH, and 9% both. A2A items segregated into three factors, differently distributed by hypoglycemia experience. Respondents with IAH or RSH expressed appropriate concern about hypoglycemia, but those with IAH were more likely to prioritize hyperglycemia concerns than those with intact awareness (P = 0.002). Those with RSH showed greater normalization of asymptomatic hypoglycemia than those without (P = 0.019) and trended toward prioritizing hyperglycemia concerns (P = 0.097), driven by those with both IAH and RSH. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with T1D with IAH and RSH report specific cognitions about hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which may act as barriers to hypoglycemia avoidance and recovery of awareness. These may be modifiable and present a target for enhancing engagement of vulnerable people with strategies to avoid future hypoglycemia.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Profiles in Healthy Nondiabetic Participants: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

CONTEXT: Use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is increasing for insulin-requiring patients with diabetes. Although data on glycemic profiles of healthy, nondiabetic individuals exist for older sensors, assessment of glycemic metrics with new-generation CGM devices is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To establish reference sensor glucose ranges in healthy, nondiabetic individuals across different age groups using a current generation CGM sensor. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective study. SETTING: Twelve centers within the T1D Exchange Clinic Network. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Nonpregnant, healthy, nondiabetic children and adults (age ≥6 years) with nonobese body mass index. INTERVENTION: Each participant wore a blinded Dexcom G6 CGM, with once-daily calibration, for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CGM metrics of mean glucose, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and glycemic variability. RESULTS: A total of 153 participants (age 7 to 80 years) were included in the analyses. Mean average glucose was 98 to 99 mg/dL (5.4 to 5.5 mmol/L) for all age groups except those over 60 years, in whom mean average glucose was 104 mg/dL (5.8 mmol/L). The median time between 70 to 140 mg/dL (3.9 to 7.8 mmol/L) was 96% (interquartile range, 93 to 98). Mean within-individual coefficient of variation was 17 ± 3%. Median time spent with glucose levels >140 mg/dL was 2.1% (30 min/d), and median time spent with glucose levels <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) was 1.1% (15 min/d). CONCLUSION: By assessing across age groups in a healthy, nondiabetic population, normative sensor glucose data have been derived and will be useful as a benchmark for future research studies.

Diabetes Technology Use Among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women with T1D in the T1D Exchange.

BACKGROUND: Gestational tight glycemic control is critical for women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Limited data exist on the adoption and retention of diabetes technologies among women in different parity strata. METHODS: We compared T1D management between T1D Exchange clinic registry participants (mean age 28 ± 9 years, 84% white non-Hispanic, and median T1D duration 13 years) who were pregnant at enrollment or year 1 follow-up ("recently pregnant" between 2010 and 2013, n = 214), ever (but not recently) pregnant (n = 1540), and never pregnant (n = 2586). We examined self-reported maternal and fetal outcomes in 130 women who delivered a baby within the last year. RESULTS: Recently pregnant women had the lowest hemoglobin A1c (6.5% pregnant vs. 7.8% ever pregnant vs. 8.0% never pregnant, P < 0.001). Recently pregnant women reported the highest use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (74% vs. 60% vs. 58%, adjusted P < 0.001) and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) (36% vs.17% vs. 12%, adjusted P < 0.001) therapies compared with ever or never pregnant women, respectively, after adjusting for age, diabetes duration, and socioeconomic status. Among women 18-25 years old, CGM use was highest among recently pregnant women (adjusted P = 0.0022). Never pregnant women 26-45 years old had a higher use of CGM compared with younger counterparts (adjusted P < 0.001). Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were common. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high uptake levels of advanced diabetes technologies among pregnant women, rates of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes remain high. More studies are needed to determine how these technologies could be best used in pregnancy and postpartum to improve health outcomes among women with T1D.

Mini-Dose Glucagon as a Novel Approach to Prevent Exercise-Induced Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with type 1 diabetes who do aerobic exercise often experience a drop in blood glucose concentration that can result in hypoglycemia. Current approaches to prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia include reduction in insulin dose or ingestion of carbohydrates, but these strategies may still result in hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. We sought to determine whether mini-dose glucagon (MDG) given subcutaneously before exercise could prevent subsequent glucose lowering and to compare the glycemic response to current approaches for mitigating exercise-associated hypoglycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a four-session, randomized crossover trial involving 15 adults with type 1 diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion who exercised fasting in the morning at ∼55% VO2max for 45 min under conditions of no intervention (control), 50% basal insulin reduction, 40-g oral glucose tablets, or 150-µg subcutaneous glucagon (MDG). RESULTS: During exercise and early recovery from exercise, plasma glucose increased slightly with MDG compared with a decrease with control and insulin reduction and a greater increase with glucose tablets (P < 0.001). Insulin levels were not different among sessions, whereas glucagon increased with MDG administration (P < 0.001). Hypoglycemia (plasma glucose <70 mg/dL) was experienced by six subjects during control, five subjects during insulin reduction, and none with glucose tablets or MDG; five subjects experienced hyperglycemia (plasma glucose ≥250 mg/dL) with glucose tablets and one with MDG. CONCLUSIONS: MDG may be more effective than insulin reduction for preventing exercise-induced hypoglycemia and may result in less postintervention hyperglycemia than ingestion of carbohydrate.

Sex- and age-dependent effects of celiac disease on growth and weight gain in children with type 1 diabetes: Analysis of the type 1 diabetes Exchange Clinic Registry.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease (CD) is common in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and effects of CD on growth in children with T1D remain unclear. METHODS: We analyzed heights, weights, and body mass index (BMI) in 215 matched pediatric CD/control pairs in the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry. CD was defined by a clinic-reported diagnosis and positive celiac serology (n = 80) and/or positive small bowel biopsy (n = 135). Cases and controls were matched by age (mean: 14 years), diabetes duration (median: 7 years), sex (57% female), and clinic site. There were 5569 height/weight measurements. RESULTS: Gluten was restricted for varying periods of time in 61% of females and 51% of males with CD. Females with CD were shorter than female controls at all ages (P = 0.01). Weight z-scores were initially lower in preschool females with CD but similar to controls by middle childhood. Males with CD were initially shorter but adult heights were similar. Height in both sexes and weight in males were lower in CD participants diagnosed at younger age. Growth in T1D children with biopsy-proven CD, 76% of them were gluten-restricted, was comparable to that of T1D controls. CONCLUSION: Concurrent CD impairs linear growth in T1D females at all stages of development and in young T1D males. Young females with CD have lower weights, but both sexes have similar weights by middle childhood. Children younger at CD onset remain shorter throughout childhood; males younger at CD onset have persistently lower weights. Long-term gluten restriction may restore weight gain and linear growth in children with CD and T1D.

Efficacy and Safety of Mini-Dose Glucagon for Treatment of Nonsevere Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Context: Standard treatment of hypoglycemia is oral carbohydrate, but it often results in hyperglycemia and entails extra caloric intake. Objective: To evaluate low-dose glucagon to treat mild hypoglycemia in ambulatory adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Design: Randomized crossover trial (two 3-week periods). Setting: Five U.S. diabetes clinics. Patients: Twenty adults with T1D using an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and experiencing frequent mild hypoglycemia. Intervention: Nonaqueous mini-dose glucagon (MDG) (150 µg) to treat nonsevere hypoglycemia. Main Outcome Measures: Successful treatment was defined as blood glucose (BG) ≥50 mg/dL 15 minutes and ≥70 mg/dL 30 minutes after intervention, on the study meter. Two authors, blinded to treatment arm, independently judged each event as a clinical success or failure. Results: Sixteen participants (mean age 39 years, 75% female, mean diabetes duration 23 years, mean hemoglobin A1c 7.2%) had 118 analyzable events with initial BG of 50 to 69 mg/dL. Successful treatment criteria were met for 58 (94%) of 62 events during the MDG period and 53 (95%) of 56 events during the glucose tablets (TABS) period (adjusted P = 0.99). Clinical assessments of success for these events were 97% and 96%, respectively. CGM-measured time in range did not differ between treatment groups during the 2 hours after events, but TABS resulted in higher maximum glucose (116 vs 102 mg/dL; P = 0.01) over the first hour. Conclusions: Low-dose glucagon can successfully treat mild hypoglycemia and may be a useful alternative to treatment with oral carbohydrate when trying to avoid unnecessary caloric intake.

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.

Hypoglycemia in Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Hypoglycemia is a major concern in older adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and there is limited knowledge in this population. We examined data from 199 adults, ≥60 years of age, who participated in a T1D Exchange study assessing factors associated with severe hypoglycemia (SH) in older adults with T1D: 100 with SH in the prior year and 99 with no SH in prior 3 years (mean age 68; mean diabetes duration 40 years; 47% female; 92% non-Hispanic white). Hypoglycemia was assessed with up to 14 days of blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Linear regression models were performed to assess the association between biochemical hypoglycemia [defined as percentage of time below specific cutoffs (<70/60/50 mg/dL)] and various factors. RESULTS: Overall, participants had CGM values <70 mg/dL for a median of 91 min per day. On 53% of days, glucose levels continuously were <70 mg/dL for ≥20 min. Hypoglycemia was found to be strongly associated with glucose variability (r = 0.76; P < 0.001). Time spent in hypoglycemia was greater in those who were younger (P = 0.004), had shorter diabetes duration (P = 0.008), lower HbA1c (P < 0.001), and undetectable C-peptide (P = 0.001), but did not differ by insulin method, education level, number of blood glucose checks per day, cognition, activities of daily living, or fear of hypoglycemia. INNOVATION: This study adds valuable data on the frequency of hypoglycemia in older adults with T1D. CONCLUSION: Future studies need to focus on how to prevent hypoglycemia in this vulnerable population of older adults with long-standing T1D.

Risk Factors Associated With Severe Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Severe hypoglycemia is common in older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes, but little is known about factors associated with its occurrence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted at 18 diabetes centers in the T1D Exchange Clinic Network. Participants were ≥60 years old with type 1 diabetes for ≥20 years. Case subjects (n = 101) had at least one severe hypoglycemic event in the prior 12 months. Control subjects (n = 100), frequency-matched to case subjects by age, had no severe hypoglycemia in the prior 3 years. Data were analyzed for cognitive and functional abilities, social support, depression, hypoglycemia unawareness, various aspects of diabetes management, C-peptide level, glycated hemoglobin level, and blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics. RESULTS: Glycated hemoglobin (mean 7.8% vs. 7.7%) and CGM-measured mean glucose (175 vs. 175 mg/dL) were similar between case and control subjects. More case than control subjects had hypoglycemia unawareness: only 11% of case subjects compared with 43% of control subjects reported always having symptoms associated with low blood glucose levels (P < 0.001). Case subjects had greater glucose variability than control subjects (P = 0.008) and experienced CGM glucose levels <60 mg/dL for ≥20 min on 46% of days compared with 33% of days in control subjects (P = 0.10). On certain cognitive tests, case subjects scored worse than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes, greater hypoglycemia unawareness and glucose variability are associated with an increased risk of severe hypoglycemia. A study to assess interventions to prevent severe hypoglycemia in high-risk individuals is needed.

Therapeutic inertia: underdiagnosed and undertreated hypertension in children participating in the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Reduction of cardiovascular risk in children with type 1 diabetes requires aggressive management of hypertension (HTN). However, the frequency of diagnosing and effectively treating HTN in youth with type 1 diabetes has not been established. To address this question, we used the data collected in >9000 youth with type 1 diabetes who enrolled in the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This analysis included data from medical records of 9362 individuals with enrolment and 1-yr follow-up visits (age 3 to <18 yr, disease duration ≥ 1 yr at follow-up). Data included the prevalence of a documented diagnosis of HTN, elevated blood pressure (BP) (systolic or diastolic ≥95th percentile for age, gender, and height), and treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-receptor inhibitor (ACE-I)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. RESULTS: HTN was diagnosed in only 1% (113/9362) of participants; yet, elevated BP was recorded at one of the two visits in 17% and at both visits in 4%. Among those with diagnosed HTN, only 52% (59/113) were receiving ACE-I/ARB therapy and only 32% (19 of 59) of those treated were at goal BP. Children with diagnosed HTN had higher HbA1c (adjusted p < 0.001) and higher BMI (p < 0.001) when compared with children without HTN. CONCLUSIONS: HTN is likely under diagnosed and undertreated even in pediatric diabetes clinics. The relatively low proportion of hypertensive children receiving ACE-I therapy and reaching BP goals probably identifies an important area for improving care in children with type 1 diabetes.