Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia According to Type of Diabetes: Observations During Fully Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery in Adults With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: CamAPS HX fully closed-loop (FCL) system, with no user input required at mealtimes, has been shown to be safe and effective in adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We assessed whether time spent in hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia during FCL insulin delivery in adults varied by type of diabetes over the 24-hour period. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed eight weeks of data from 52 participants (adults with type 1 diabetes and adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes) recruited to two single-center randomized controlled studies using FCL insulin delivery during unrestricted-living conditions. Key outcomes were time spent in hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL and marked hyperglycemia >300 mg/dL by type of diabetes. RESULTS: The median percentage of time spent in hypoglycemia <70 mg/dL over the 24-hour period was lower for those with type 2 diabetes than for those with type 1 diabetes (median [interquartile range (IQR)] 0.43% [0.20-0.77] vs 0.86%, [0.54-1.46]; mean difference 0.46 percentage points [95% CI 0.23-0.70]; P < .001). Median percentage time in marked hyperglycemia >300 mg/dL was lower for those with type 2 diabetes than for those with type 1 diabetes (median [IQR] 1.8% [0.6-3.5] vs 9.3% [6.9-11.8]; mean difference 7.8 percentage points [95% CI 5.5-10.0]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Using the FCL system, hypoglycemia and marked hyperglycemia exposure were lower in type 2 diabetes than in type 1 diabetes.

Lived Experience of Fully Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Introduction: The Closing the Loop in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes (CLEAR) randomized crossover study compared a novel fully closed-loop insulin delivery system with no carbohydrate entry or mealtime bolusing (CamAPS HX), with standard insulin pump therapy and glucose sensor in adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic outcomes. This qualitative substudy aimed to understand the psychosocial impact of using the fully automated system. Materials and Methods: Adults participating in the CLEAR study were invited to take part in a virtual semistructured interview after they had completed 8 weeks using the fully closed-loop system. Recruitment continued until there was adequate representation and data saturation occurred. Interviews were anonymized and transcribed for in-depth thematic analysis using an inductive-deductive approach. Study participants were also asked to complete questionnaires assessing diabetes distress, hypoglycemia confidence, and closed-loop treatment satisfaction. Results: Eleven participants (eight male and three female; age range 26-66 years) were interviewed. After an initial adjustment period, interviewees reported enjoying a reduction in diabetes burden, freed-up mental capacity, and improved mood. All were happy with overnight glycemic outcomes, with the majority reporting benefits on sleep. Although experiences of postprandial glucose outcomes varied, all found mealtimes easier and less stressful, particularly when eating out. Negatives raised by participants predominantly related to the insulin pump hardware, but some also reported increased snacking and challenges around resuming carbohydrate counting at trial closeout. Conclusions: In adults with type 1 diabetes, use of a fully closed-loop insulin delivery system had significant quality-of-life benefits and provided a welcome break from the day-to-day demands of living with diabetes. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04977908.

Postprandial Glucose Excursions with Ultra-Rapid Insulin Analogs in Hybrid Closed-Loop Therapy for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate postprandial glucose control when applying (1) faster-acting insulin aspart (Fiasp) compared to insulin aspart and (2) ultra-rapid insulin lispro (Lyumjev) compared to insulin lispro using the CamAPS FX hybrid closed-loop algorithm. Research Design and Methods: We undertook a secondary analysis of postprandial glucose excursions from two double-blind, randomized, crossover hybrid closed-loop studies contrasting Fiasp to standard insulin aspart, and Lyumjev to standard insulin lispro. Endpoints included incremental area under curve (iAUC)-2h, iAUC-4h, 4 h postprandial time in target range, time above range, and time below range. It was approved by independent research ethics committees. Results: Two trials with 8 weeks of data from 51 adults with type 1 diabetes were analyzed and 7137 eligible meals were included. During Lyumjev compared with insulin lispro, iAUC-2h and iAUC-4h were significantly decreased following breakfast (mean difference 92 mmol/L per 2 h (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56 to 127); P < 0.001 and 151 mmol/L per 4 h (95% CI: 74 to 229); P < 0.001, respectively) and the evening meal (P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). Mean time in target range (3.9-10.0 mmol/L) for 4 h postprandially significantly increased during Lyumjev with a mean difference of 6.7 percentage points (95% CI: 3.3 to 10) and 5.7 percentage points (95% CI: 1.4 to 9.9) for breakfast and evening meal, respectively. In contrast, there were no significant differences in iAUC-2h, iAUC-4h, and the other measures of postprandial glucose control between insulin aspart and Fiasp during breakfast, lunch, and evening meal (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The use of Lyumjev with CamAPS FX closed-loop system improved postprandial glucose excursions compared with insulin lispro, while the use of Fiasp did not provide any advantage compared with insulin aspart. Clinical Trial Registration numbers: NCT04055480, NCT05257460.

CamAPS FX Hybrid Closed-Loop with Ultra-Rapid Lispro Compared with Standard Lispro in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Crossover Study.

Introduction: To evaluate hybrid closed-loop with ultra-rapid insulin lispro (Lyumjev) compared with hybrid closed-loop with standard insulin lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In a single-center, double-blind, randomized, crossover study, 28 adults with type 1 diabetes (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: age 44.5 ± 10.7 years, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) 7.1 ± 0.9% [54 ± 10 mmol/mol]) underwent two 8-week periods comparing hybrid closed-loop with ultra-rapid insulin lispro and hybrid closed-loop with standard insulin lispro in random order. The same CamAPS FX closed-loop algorithm was used in both periods. Results: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the proportion of time sensor glucose was in target range (3.9-10 mmol/L [70-180 mg/dL]; primary endpoint) was greater with ultra-rapid lispro compared with standard insulin lispro (mean ± SD: 78.7 ± 9.8% vs. 76.2 ± 9.6%; mean difference 2.5 percentage points [95% confidence interval 0.8 to 4.2]; P = 0.005). Mean sensor glucose was lower with ultra-rapid lispro compared with standard insulin lispro (7.9 ± 0.8 mmol/L [142 ± 14 mg/dL] vs. 8.1 ± 0.9 mmol/L [146 ± 16 mg/dL]; P = 0.048). The proportion of time with sensor glucose <3.9 mmol/L [70 mg/dL] was similar between interventions (median [interquartile range] ultra-rapid lispro 2.3% [1.3%-2.7%] vs. standard insulin lispro 2.1% [1.4%-3.3%]; P = 0.33). No severe hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis occurred. Conclusions: The use of ultra-rapid lispro with CamAPS FX hybrid closed-loop increases time in range and reduces mean glucose with no difference in hypoglycemia compared with standard insulin lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes. ClinicalTrials.gov: Trial registration number NCT05257460.

Fully Closed-Loop Glucose Control Compared With Insulin Pump Therapy With Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes and Suboptimal Glycemic Control: A Single-Center, Randomized, Crossover Study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of fully closed-loop with ultrarapid insulin lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control compared with insulin pump therapy with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This single-center, randomized, crossover study enrolled 26 adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pump therapy with suboptimal glycemic control (mean ± SD, age 41 ± 12 years, HbA1c 9.2 ± 1.1% [77 ± 12 mmol/mol]). Participants underwent two 8-week periods of unrestricted living to compare fully closed-loop with ultrarapid insulin lispro (CamAPS HX system) with insulin pump therapy with CGM in random order. RESULTS: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the proportion of time glucose was in range (primary end point 3.9-10.0 mmol/L) was higher during closed-loop than during pump with CGM (mean ± SD 50.0 ± 9.6% vs. 36.2 ± 12.2%, mean difference 13.2 percentage points [95% CI 9.5, 16.9], P < 0.001). Time with glucose >10.0 mmol/L and mean glucose were lower during closed-loop than during pump with CGM (mean ± SD time >10.0 mmol/L: 49.0 ± 9.9 vs. 62.9 ± 12.6%, mean difference -13.3 percentage points [95% CI -17.2, -9.5], P < 0.001; mean ± SD glucose 10.7 ± 1.1 vs. 12.0 ± 1.6 mmol/L, mean difference -1.2 mmol/L [95% CI -1.8, -0.7], P < 0.001). The proportion of time with glucose <3.9 mmol/L was similar between periods (median [interquartile range (IQR)] closed-loop 0.88% [0.51-1.55] vs. pump with CGM 0.64% [0.28-1.10], P = 0.102). Total daily insulin requirements did not differ (median [IQR] closed-loop 51.9 units/day [35.7-91.2] vs. pump with CGM 50.7 units/day [34.0-70.0], P = 0.704). No severe hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Fully closed-loop insulin delivery with CamAPS HX improved glucose control compared with insulin pump therapy with CGM in adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control.

Time Spent in Hypoglycemia According to Age and Time of Day: Observations During Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery.

Objective: We aimed to assess whether percentage of time spent in hypoglycemia during closed-loop insulin delivery differs by age group and time of day. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from hybrid closed-loop studies involving young children (2-7 years), children and adolescents (8-18 years), adults (19-59 years), and older adults (≥60 years) with type 1 diabetes. Main outcome was time spent in hypoglycemia <3.9 mmol/L (<70 mg/dL). Eight weeks of data for 88 participants were analyzed. Results: Median time spent in hypoglycemia over the 24-h period was highest in children and adolescents (4.4% [interquartile range 2.4-5.0]) and very young children (4.0% [3.4-5.2]), followed by adults (2.7% [1.7-4.0]), and older adults (1.8% [1.2-2.2]); P < 0.001 for difference between age groups. Time spent in hypoglycemia during nighttime (midnight-05:59) was lower than during daytime (06:00-23:59) across all age groups. Conclusion: Time in hypoglycemia was highest in the pediatric age group during closed-loop insulin delivery. Hypoglycemia burden was lowest overnight across all age groups.

The Artificial Pancreas and Type 1 Diabetes.

Diabetes technologies represent a paradigm shift in type 1 diabetes care. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGM) improve glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, enhance time in optimal glycemic range, limit severe hypoglycemia, and reduce diabetes distress. The artificial pancreas or closed-loop system connects these devices via a control algorithm programmed to maintain target glucose, partially relieving the person living with diabetes of this constant responsibility. Automating insulin delivery reduces the input required from those wearing the device, leading to better physiological and psychosocial outcomes. Hybrid closed-loop therapy systems, requiring user-initiated prandial insulin doses, are the most advanced closed-loop systems commercially available. Fully closed-loop systems, requiring no user-initiated insulin boluses, and dual hormone systems have been shown to be safe and efficacious in the research setting. Clinical adoption of closed-loop therapy remains in early stages despite recent technological advances. People living with diabetes, health care professionals, and regulatory agencies continue to navigate the complex path to equitable access. We review the available devices, evidence, clinical implications, and barriers regarding these innovatory technologies.

Fully automated closed-loop insulin delivery in adults with type 2 diabetes: an open-label, single-center, randomized crossover trial.

In adults with type 2 diabetes, the benefits of fully closed-loop insulin delivery, which does not require meal bolusing, are unclear. In an open-label, single-center, randomized crossover study, 26 adults with type 2 diabetes (7 women and 19 men; (mean ± s.d.) age, 59 ± 11 years; baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), 75 ± 15 mmol mol-1 (9.0% ± 1.4%)) underwent two 8-week periods to compare the CamAPS HX fully closed-loop app with standard insulin therapy and a masked glucose sensor (control) in random order, with a 2-week to 4-week washout between periods. The primary endpoint was proportion of time in target glucose range (3.9-10.0 mmol l-1). Analysis was by intention to treat. Thirty participants were recruited between 16 December 2020 and 24 November 2021, of whom 28 were randomized to two groups (14 to closed-loop therapy first and 14 to control therapy first). Proportion of time in target glucose range (mean ± s.d.) was 66.3% ± 14.9% with closed-loop therapy versus 32.3% ± 24.7% with control therapy (mean difference, 35.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval (CI), 28.0-42.6 percentage points; P < 0.001). Time > 10.0 mmol l-1 was 33.2% ± 14.8% with closed-loop therapy versus 67.0% ± 25.2% with control therapy (mean difference, -35.2 percentage points; 95% CI, -42.8 to -27.5 percentage points; P < 0.001). Mean glucose was lower during the closed-loop therapy period than during the control therapy period (9.2 ± 1.2 mmol l-1 versus 12.6 ± 3.0 mmol l-1, respectively; mean difference, -3.6 mmol l-1; 95% CI, -4.6 to -2.5 mmol l-1; P < 0.001). HbA1c was lower following closed-loop therapy (57 ± 9 mmol mol-1 (7.3% ± 0.8%)) than following control therapy (72 ± 13 mmol mol-1 (8.7% ± 1.2%); mean difference, -15 mmol mol-1; 95% CI, -11 to -20 mmol l-1 (mean difference, -1.4%; 95% CI, -1.0 to -1.8%); P < 0.001). Time < 3.9 mmol l-1 was similar between treatments (a median of 0.44% (interquartile range, 0.19-0.81%) during the closed-loop therapy period versus a median of 0.08% (interquartile range, 0.00-1.05%) during the control therapy period; P = 0.43). No severe hypoglycemia events occurred in either period. One treatment-related serious adverse event occurred during the closed-loop therapy period. Fully closed-loop insulin delivery improved glucose control without increasing hypoglycemia compared with standard insulin therapy and may represent a safe and efficacious method to improve outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04701424).

Altered functional connectivity during hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes.

Behavioural responses to hypoglycaemia require coordinated recruitment of broadly distributed networks of interacting brain regions. We investigated hypoglycaemia-related changes in brain connectivity in people without diabetes (ND) and with type 1 diabetes with normal (NAH) or impaired (IAH) hypoglycaemia awareness. Two-step hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamps were performed in 14 ND, 15 NAH and 22 IAH participants. BOLD timeseries were acquired at euglycaemia (5.0 mmol/L) and hypoglycaemia (2.6 mmol/L), with symptom and counter-regulatory hormone measurements. We investigated hypoglycaemia-related connectivity changes using established seed regions for the default mode (DMN), salience (SN) and central executive (CEN) networks and regions whose activity is modulated by hypoglycaemia: the thalamus and right inferior frontal gyrus (RIFG). Hypoglycaemia-induced changes in the DMN, SN and CEN were evident in NAH (all p < 0.05), with no changes in ND or IAH. However, in IAH there was a reduction in connectivity between regions within the RIFG (p = 0.001), not evident in the ND or NAH groups. We conclude that hypoglycaemia induces coordinated recruitment of the DMN and SN in diabetes with preserved hypoglycaemia awareness which is absent in IAH and ND. Changes in connectivity in the RIFG, a region associated with attentional modulation, may be key in impaired hypoglycaemia awareness.

Personality traits of alexithymia and perfectionism in impaired awareness of hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes - An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Severe hypoglycemia complicates insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes, with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) being a major risk factor. We explored associations between the personality traits, alexithymia and perfectionism, and cognitive barriers to hypoglycemia avoidance described in IAH, and evaluated their prevalence in people with and without IAH. METHODS: Cross-sectional exploratory study. Ninety adults with type 1 diabetes, 54 hypoglycemia aware and 36 with IAH, completed validated questionnaires exploring alexithymia (Total Alexithymia Scale [TAS-20]) and perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale [FMPS]); and cognitive barriers related to hypoglycemia avoidance (Attitudes to Awareness Questionnaire [A2A]. RESULTS: Alexithymia and perfectionism scores correlated positively with cognitive barriers associated with IAH. Specifically, alexthymia scores correlated with the 'Hyperglycaemia Avoidance Prioritised' factor (r = 0.265; p = .02, n = 77) and the 'Asymptomatic Hypoglycemia Normalised' factor (r = 0.252-0.255; p = .03, n = 77). Perfectionism scores correlated with the 'Hyperglycaemia Avoidance Prioritised' factor (r = 0.525; p < .001, n = 66). Overall, IAH participants were significantly more likely to score at the high end for alexithymia (17.6% vs. 1.9%, p = .008, n = 87) and at the extreme ends (high and low) for perfectionism (69.0% vs. 40.0%, χ2 (1) = 6.24, p = .01, n = 77). CONCLUSION: These novel data showing associations between alexithymia and perfectionism scores and maladaptive health beliefs in IAH suggest the intriguing possibility that personality traits may contribute to the risk of IAH, perhaps through their influence on incentives to avoid hypoglycemia. If confirmed, measuring such traits may help tailor early adjunctive psychological intervention to reduce hypoglycemia burden for people with IAH.

Restoration of Hypoglycemia Awareness Alters Brain Activity in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a major risk factor for severe hypoglycemia (SH) and is associated with atypical responses to hypoglycemia in brain regions involved in arousal, decision making, and memory. Whether restoration of hypoglycemia awareness alters these responses is unknown. We sought to investigate the impact of awareness restoration on brain responses to hypoglycemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Twelve adults with T1D and IAH underwent pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling functional MRI during a hypoglycemic clamp (5-2.6 mmol/L) before and after a hypoglycemia avoidance program of structured education (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating), specialist support, and sensor-augmented pump therapy (Medtronic MiniMed 640G). Hypoglycemic cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses were compared pre- and postintervention using predefined region-of-interest analysis of the thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and hippocampus. RESULTS: Postintervention, Gold and Clarke scores fell (6.0 ± 1.0 to 4.0 ± 1.6, P = 0.0002, and 5.7 ± 1.7 to 3.4 ± 1.8, P = 0.0008, respectively), SH rates reduced (1.5 ± 2 to 0.3 ± 0.5 episodes per year, P = 0.03), hypoglycemic symptom scores increased (18.8 ± 6.3 to 27.3 ± 12.7, P = 0.02), and epinephrine responses did not change (P = 0.2). Postintervention, hypoglycemia induced greater increases in ACC CBF (P = 0.01, peak voxel coordinates [6, 40, -2]), while thalamic and OFC activity did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Increased blood flow is seen within brain pathways involved in internal self-awareness and decision making (ACC) after restoration of hypoglycemia awareness, suggesting partial recovery of brain responses lost in IAH. Resistance of frontothalamic networks, involved in arousal and emotion processing, may explain why not all individuals with IAH achieve awareness restoration with education and technology alone.

Hypoglycemic thalamic activation in type 1 diabetes is associated with preserved symptoms despite reduced epinephrine.

Brain responses to low plasma glucose may be key to understanding the behaviors that prevent severe hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. This study investigated the impact of long duration, hypoglycemia aware type 1 diabetes on cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 15 individuals with type 1 diabetes and 15 non-diabetic controls during a two-step hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Symptom, hormone, global cerebral blood flow and regional cerebral blood flow responses to hypoglycemia were measured. Epinephrine release during hypoglycemia was attenuated in type 1 diabetes, but symptom score rose comparably in both groups. A rise in global cerebral blood flow did not differ between groups. Regional cerebral blood flow increased in the thalamus and fell in the hippocampus and temporal cortex in both groups. Type 1 diabetes demonstrated lesser anterior cingulate cortex activation; however, this difference did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Thalamic cerebral blood flow change correlated with autonomic symptoms, and anterior cingulate cortex cerebral blood flow change correlated with epinephrine response across groups. The thalamus may thus be involved in symptom responses to hypoglycemia, independent of epinephrine action, while anterior cingulate cortex activation may be linked to counterregulation. Activation of these regions may have a role in hypoglycemia awareness and avoidance of problematic hypoglycemia.

Changing perceptions: a multicentre survey of final-year medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions of diabetes and endocrinology.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The National Health Service is experiencing a recruitment crisis across many medical specialties. Diabetes and endocrinology (D&E) is failing to fill training posts with only 77%, 83% and 73% of posts filled overall in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. STUDY DESIGN: We surveyed 316 final-year medical students and undifferentiated trainees (from foundation programme doctors to core medical trainees), across the South Thames, Northern and West Midlands deaneries in England to gain an understanding of perceptions of the specialty. RESULTS: 9% of respondents were considering a career in D&E. Factors such as 'being the medical registrar' (27%), being a 'non-procedural specialty' (23%) and 'looking after majority of general medical admissions' (22%) were cited as the most common reasons why D&E is an unattractive career choice. 51% reported inadequate exposure to D&E. Factors that made respondents more likely to want to pursue a career in D&E included having undertaken a placement in the specialty and having exposure to outpatient clinics. Methods to improve awareness and uptake, such as increased teaching and clinical exposure, and the opportunity to attend taster events were frequently highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this survey, the first of its kind on perceptions of D&E as a career pathway, reveal a worrying lack of interest in, and exposure to, D&E among current final-year medical students and undifferentiated trainees. These issues must be addressed in order to improve D&E recruitment rates.

Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia Disrupts Blood Flow to Brain Regions Involved in Arousal and Decision Making in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) affects one-quarter of adults with type 1 diabetes and significantly increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Differences in regional brain responses to hypoglycemia may contribute to the susceptibility of this group to problematic hypoglycemia. This study investigated brain responses to hypoglycemia in hypoglycemia aware (HA) and IAH adults with type 1 diabetes, using three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D pCASL) functional MRI to measure changes in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Fifteen HA and 19 IAH individuals underwent 3D pCASL functional MRI during a two-step hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. Symptom, hormone, global, and regional CBF responses to hypoglycemia (47 mg/dL [2.6 mmol/L]) were measured. RESULTS: In response to hypoglycemia, total symptom score did not change in those with IAH (P = 0.25) but rose in HA participants (P < 0.001). Epinephrine, cortisol, and growth hormone responses to hypoglycemia were lower in the IAH group (P < 0.05). Hypoglycemia induced a rise in global CBF (HA P = 0.01, IAH P = 0.04) but was not different between groups (P = 0.99). IAH participants showed reduced regional CBF responses within the thalamus (P = 0.002), right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) (P = 0.002), and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P = 0.036) and a lesser decrease of CBF in the left hippocampus (P = 0.023) compared with the HA group. Thalamic and right lateral OFC differences survived Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSIONS: Responses to hypoglycemia of brain regions involved in arousal, decision making, and reward are altered in IAH. Changes in these pathways may disrupt IAH individuals' ability to recognize hypoglycemia, impairing their capacity to manage hypoglycemia effectively and benefit fully from conventional therapeutic pathways to restore awareness.

Interventions That Restore Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia (SH) sixfold and affects 30% of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This systematic review and meta-analysis looks at the educational, technological, and pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring hypoglycemia awareness (HA) in adults with T1D. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception until 1 October 2014. Included studies described HA status at baseline. Outcome measures were SH rates, change in HA, counterregulatory hormone responses, and glycemic control. RESULTS: Forty-three studies (18 randomized controlled trials, 25 before-and-after studies) met the inclusion criteria, comprising 27 educational, 11 technological, and 5 pharmacological interventions. Educational interventions included structured diabetes education on flexible insulin therapy, including psychotherapeutic and behavioral techniques. These were able to reduce SH and improve glycemic control, with greater benefit from the latter two techniques in improving IAH. Technological interventions (insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, and sensor-augmented pump) reduced SH, improved glycemic control, and restored awareness when used in combination with structured education and frequent contact. Pharmacological studies included four insulin studies and one noninsulin study, but with low background SH prevalence rates. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides evidence for the effectiveness of a stepped-care approach in the management of patients with IAH, initially with structured diabetes education in flexible insulin therapy, which may incorporate psychotherapeutic and behavioral therapies, progressing to diabetes technology, incorporating sensors and insulin pumps, in those with persisting need.

Essential and desirable: making the most of your postgraduate training.

Newly qualified Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) holders may be deficient in a range of skills relevant to the work of a consultant physician, often due to a lack of adequate career planning. Good clinical skills and a patient-centred approach are extremely important, but there is work to suggest that the non-medical aspects of consultant work are not sufficiently addressed during higher specialist training.