Screening for type 2 diabetes and hypertension in seafarers' medical examinations.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study are: 1) to replace the urine glucose test for diabetes with more than 50% false negatives, with an accurate screening for type 2 diabetes and hypertension in the mandatory biannual fit-for-duty medical examinations of seafarers; 2) to produce data driven "Green Ship" health pro-motion in the ships. A new health promotion and disease prevention public health intervention programme integrated in the fit-for-duty medical examinations for seafarers is being developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lack of an accurate diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is replaced by accurate HbA1c and/or fasting glucose tests and the test for hypertension in various disease stages is based on the International Associations' Guidelines. A "Green Ship" health promotion programme is proposed for all on board, not only for diseased crew members. RESULTS: A protocol for an accurate biannual screening for diabetes and hypertension is presented. Educational programmes for medical doctors and seafarers on the management of hypertension and diabetes on board will be developed. Presuming that all crew members are potentially on their way to be pre-diseased or are diseased, the "Green Ship" health promotion programme is implemented for the whole crew. CONCLUSIONS: The International Labour Organization and the National Maritime Authorities are prompted to revise the International and the National Guidelines for Seafarers Medical Examinations, respectively. Con-certed actions are requested to implement public health promotion projects in shipping. Maritime medical doctors are prompted to use health dialogues and to report the clinical data in the Excel file. Sustainability is obtained by complying with the Sustainable Development Goals (3, 4, 8, 10, and 17).

Flash glucose monitoring and automated bolus calculation in type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections: a 26 week randomised, controlled, multicentre trial.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We aimed to compare the effects of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) and carbohydrate counting with automated bolus calculation (ABC) with usual care. METHODS: In a randomised, controlled, open-label trial carried out at five diabetes clinics in the Capital Region of Denmark, 170 adults with type 1 diabetes for ≥1 year, multiple daily insulin injections and HbA1c > 53 mmol/mol (7.0%) were randomly assigned 1:1:1:1 with centrally prepared envelopes to usual care (n = 42), ABC (n = 41), isCGM (n = 48) or ABC+isCGM (n = 39). Blinded continuous glucose monitoring data, HbA1c and patient-reported outcomes were recorded at baseline and after 26 weeks. The primary outcome was change in time in range using isCGM vs usual care. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable across arms: mean age 47 (SD 13.7) years, median (IQR) diabetes duration 18 (10-28) years and HbA1c 65 (61-72) mmol/mol (8.1% [7.7-8.7%]). Change in time in range using isCGM was comparable to usual care (% difference of 3.9 [-12-23], p = 0.660). The same was true for the ABC and ABC+isCGM arms and for hypo- and hyperglycaemia. Also compared with usual care, using ABC+isCGM reduced HbA1c (4 [95% CI 1, 8] mmol/mol) (0.4 [0.1, 0.7] %-point) and glucose CV (11% [4%, 17%]) and improved treatment satisfaction, psychosocial self-efficacy and present life quality. Treatment satisfaction also improved by using isCGM alone vs usual care. Statistical significance was maintained after multiple testing adjustment concerning glucose CV and treatment satisfaction with ABC+isCGM, and treatment satisfaction with isCGM. Discontinuation was most common among ABC only users, and among completers the ABC was used 4 (2-5) times/day and the number of daily isCGM scans was 5 (1-7) at study end. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: isCGM alone did not improve time in range, but treatment satisfaction increased in technology-naive people with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal HbA1c. The combination of ABC+isCGM appears advantageous regarding glycaemic variables and patient-reported outcomes, but many showed resistance towards ABC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03682237. FUNDING: The study is investigator initiated and financed by the Capital Region of Denmark.

Study protocol for optimising glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections: intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting with automated bolus calculation, or both? A randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: There are beneficial effects of advanced carbohydrate counting with an automatic bolus calculator (ABC) and intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in persons with type 1 diabetes. We aim to compare the effects of isCGM, training in carbohydrate counting with ABC and the combination of the two concepts with standard care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multi-centre randomised controlled trial with inclusion criteria: ≥18 years, type 1 diabetes ≥1 year, injection therapy, HbA1c >53 mmol/mol, whereas daily use of carbohydrate counting and/or CGM/isCGM wear are exclusion criteria. Inclusion was initiated in October 2018 and is ongoing. Eligible persons are randomised into four groups: standard care, ABC, isCGM or ABC+isCGM. Devices used are FreeStyle Libre Flash and smart phone diabetes application mySugr. Participants attend group courses according to treatment allocation with different educational contents. Participants are followed for 26 weeks with clinical visits and telephone consultations. At baseline and at study end, participants wear blinded CGM, have blood samples performed and fill in questionnaires on person-related outcomes, and at baseline also on personality traits and hypoglycaemia awareness. The primary outcome is the difference in time spent in normoglycaemia (4-10 mmol/L) at study end versus baseline between the isCGM group and the standard care group. Secondary outcomes will also be analysed. Results are expected in 2020. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Regional Scientific Ethics Committee approval (H-17040573). Results will be sought disseminated at conferences and in high impact journals.Trial registration numberClinicalTrial.gov registry (NCT03682237).

Use of the smartphone application "Pregnant with Diabetes".

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to evaluate the awareness and use of the smartphone application (app) "Pregnant with Diabetes" locally, nationally and internationally. METHODS: In 2013, a patient initiated collaboration with the staff at Centre for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigs-hospitalet, to develop the app "Pregnant with Diabetes". The app communicates clinically important antenatal health information to women with diabetes, based on recommendations from our centre. Women with pre-existing diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes) completed an anonymous, structured questionnaire at their first antenatal visit in early pregnancy at our centre. National and international data on numbers of downloads were obtained from Google Play, from the App Store and from Google Analytics. RESULTS: Among 139 pregnant women with diabetes (96 with Type 1 diabetes and 43 with Type 2 diabetes), 99% had a smartphone and 75% had downloaded the app, whereof 48% had obtained information from the app before their pregnancy. In July 2017, the app had been downloaded 4,465 times in Denmark and 27,361 times in a total of 183 countries. The topics most frequently visited were "diet and carbohydrates", "blood glucose" and "possible complications". CONCLUSIONS: Easily accessible patient information made available via app technology reaches the patients and may contribute to improved pregnancy planning and outcome in women with pre-existing diabetes - locally, nationally and internationally. FUNDING: The app was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, Bayer A/S, Diabetes Care, Abbott, MSD Denmark, A.D.I.P.S and Rigshospitalet. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.