Accurate Carbohydrate Counting Is an Important Determinant of Postprandial Glycemia in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes on Insulin Pump Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate (CHO) counting is a key nutritional intervention utilized in the management of diabetes to optimize postprandial glycemia. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of accuracy of CHO counting on the postprandial glucose in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy. METHODS: Children/adolescents with type 1 diabetes who were on insulin pump therapy for a minimum of 6 months are enrolled in the study. Patients were instructed to record details of meals consumed, estimated CHO count per meal, and 2-hour postprandial glucose readings over 3-5 days. Meals' CHO contents were recounted by an experienced clinical dietician, and those within 20% of the dietician's counting were considered accurate. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (21 females) were enrolled. Age range (median) was 8-18 (SD 13) years. Data of 247 meals were analyzed. A total of 165 (67%) meals' CHO contents were accurately counted. Of those, 90 meals (55%) had in-target postprandial glucose ( P < .000). There was an inverse relationship between inaccurate CHO estimates and postprandial glucose. Of the 63 underestimated meals, 55 had above-target glucose, while 12 of the 19 overestimated meals were followed by low glucose. There was no association between accuracy and meal size (Spearman's rho = .019). CONCLUSION: Accuracy of CHO counting is an important determining factor of postprandial glycemia. However, other factors should be considered when advising on prandial insulin calculation. Underestimation and overestimation of CHO result in postprandial hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, respectively. Accuracy does not correlate with meal size.

Important determinants of diabetes control in insulin pump therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Insulin pumps are equipped with advanced functions. Intensive training and adherence are required for optimum use of the technology. We aimed to assess the association of various key elements in insulin pump functions on blood glucose control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients on insulin pump therapy were enrolled. Insulin pumps were downloaded (CareLink(®) Pro 3 software; Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, CA), and data were collected over an 8-12-week period. Glycemic control of patients was classified as controlled (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] level of 7.5% or less in adults and 8% or less in children) and uncontrolled based on HbA1c level at enrollment. Variables studied were use of sensors and duration, frequency of blood glucose monitoring, Bolus Wizard (Medtronic Minimed) use, frequency of correction boluses, and frequency of cannula changing. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled (50 children). Median age was 12 years for children and 27.5 years for adults. Respective median numbers of blood glucose checks were 4.4 and 3.2 for controlled and uncontrolled children (P<0.021) and 3.1 and 2.8 for controlled and uncontrolled adults, respectively. Respective frequency of Bolus Wizard use per day showed a median of 6 and 4.15 for controlled and uncontrolled children (P<0.001) and 3.8 and 3.5 for controlled and uncontrolled adults. Controlled children wore sensors for longer (5 vs. 2.9 days/week) and did more corrections (3.9 vs. 2.5). There was no difference in the frequency of changing the infusion cannula in children's or adults' groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the frequency of blood glucose monitoring and Bolus Wizard use have a favorable association with glycemic control. These observations were more significant in the children's groups. Our data shows that patients with better control tend to bolus more for correction and wear sensors longer.