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Aims To determine if access to mobile phone support for sick-day management is associated with reduced hospital admissions with diabetic ketoacidosis in young adults aged 15-25 with Type 1 diabetes. Methods This was an observational study with data collected prospectively from January 2005 to December 2008. Amobile phone support service for sick-day management began in May 2005. Data from clinic attendees (group 1), including age, sex, diabetes duration, referral age, insulin therapy delivery, clinic attendance and HbA1c,were compared with clinic attendees with diabetic ketosis accessing sick-day management phone support (group 2), clinic attendees not accessing phone support and admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (group 3) and non-clinic attendees admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (group 4). Results Age was similar in all groups. Patients in group 3 had significantly shorter duration of diabetes (6.8 ± 3.1 years) than groups 1 or 2 (10.1 and 9.8 years, respectively). Diabetes control was poor in all presentations of diabetic ketoacidosis (groups 2-4, HbA1c > 97 mmol/ mol, > 11%) and was significantly higher than clinic attendees without ketosis (HbA1c 70 mmol / mol, 8.6%; P < 0.001). There was similar attendance at the clinic across all three groups, 2.9 compared with 2.4 compared with 2.1 visits / year, respectively. Thirty-one patients accessed phone support on 83 occasions for sick-day management (mean 2.7 contacts / episode); two patients progressed to admission with diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis admission rates in the clinic population fell significantly from baseline, 0.10 to 0.05 admissions per patient per year (P < 0.05) in the third year. Conclusion Mobile phone support is associated with reduced progression of ketosis to diabetic ketoacidosis in young adults despite poor diabetes control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To determine if a transition support programme for young adults with diabetes could maintain attendance at a specialist clinic, improve diabetes control and reduce acute hospital admissions with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in 15–25-year-olds with Type 1 diabetes. Methods A transition coordinator/diabetes educator arranged booking and rebooking of appointments for a young adult diabetes clinic based in an adult hospital between July 2001 and March 2006. An after-hours phone support service was initiated. Data collected included source of referral, frequency of clinic attendance and HbA1c at each visit. Numbers of admissions and readmissions with DKA, length of stay and HbA1c on admission were recorded. Results One hundred and ninety-one young adults were referred. HbA1c at initial referral was 9.3 ± 2.17%. HbA1c significantly improved to 8.8 ± 1.9% ( P < 0.001) after a median of five visits with a statistically significant fall in HbA1c of 0.13% per visit ( P = 0.01). The greatest improvements were seen in those with starting HbA1c > 11% (−2.5 ± 2.3%, P < 0.001). Eighty-two percent had attended appointments in the last 6 months. There was a significant reduction in DKA admissions falling by 1/3 ( P = 0.05), and in readmissions a significant reduction in length of stay (−3.6 days, P = 0.02), over 3.5 years. Conclusions If young adults are appropriately supported in adult services, clinic attendance is maintained, diabetes control is improved and hospital admission rates with DKA are reduced. The cost savings from reduced admissions covered the costs of the programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The pathophysiological mechanism of diabetes mellitus in the presence of the 3243 A-G tRNALEU(UR) mitochondrial DNA mutation is thought to result from deficient insulin secretion. However, few subjects with normal glucose tolerance have been studied to determine the sequence of events resulting in the development of diabetes mellitus. Aim To determine whether abnormalities of insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion or glucose effectiveness are present in non-diabetic subjects with the 3243 A-G tRNALEU(UUR) mitochondrial DNA mutation. Methods Twelve non-diabetic subjects with the mutation were compared with 12 controls, matched for age and anthropometric parameters, using both oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests, the latter with Minimal Model analysis. Results Following an oral glucose load we found significantly higher blood glucose levels at 90 min and 120 min and significantly higher insulin levels at 120 min and 180 min in non-diabetic subjects with the mutation but no difference in the insulinogenic indices at 30 min and 180 min. From the intravenous glucose tolerance test there was no difference in overall glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, first- or second-phase insulin secretion, proinsulin secretion or glucose effectiveness. Insulin-independent glucose disposal was increased in subjects with lower insulin sensitivity and declined with increasing age in subjects with the mutation but not in controls. Conclusions While there appear to be subtle defects of glucose handling in non-diabetic subjects with the 3243 mutation, these could not be explained by differences in insulin sensitivity or secretion. Diabet. Med. 18, 381–387 (2001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Less than 20% of Australians with type 1 diabetes (T1D) meet recommended glucose targets. Technology use is associated with better glycaemia, with the most advanced being automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, which are now recommended as gold‐standard T1D care. Our Australian AID trial shows a wide spectrum of adults with T1D can achieve recommended targets. Other studies, including lived experience data, are supportive. Insulin pumps are not subsidised for most Australian adults with T1D. We advocate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Healthcare professional ( HCP) time supporting insulin pump therapy ( IPT) has not been documented, yet it is important in planning and allocating resources for effective care. Aim This study aims to determine HCP time spent in IPT patient care to inform resource planning for optimal IPT delivery. Methods Twenty-four Australian adult IPT-experienced institutions (14 government funded, seven private, three both) collected data between April 2012 and January 2013 prospectively, including: patient demographics, HCP classification, purpose of HCP-patient interaction, interaction mode and HCP time with the patient. A subset of patients was tracked from pre-pump education until stable on IPT. Results Data on 2577 HCP-adult patient interactions (62% face-to-face, 29% remote, 9% administrative) were collected over 12.2 ± 6.4 weeks for 895 patients; age 35.4 ± 14.2 years; 67% female; 99% type 1 diabetes, representing 25% of all IPT patients of the institutions. Time (hours) spent on IPT interactions per centre per week were: nurses 5.4 ± 2.8, dietitians 0.4 ± 0.2 and doctors 1.0 ± 0.5. IPT starts accounted for 48% of IPT interaction time. The percentage of available diabetes clinic time spent on outpatient IPT interactions was 20.4%, 4.6% and 2.7% for nurses, dietitians and doctors respectively. Fifteen patients tracked from pre-pump to stabilisation over 11.8 ± 4.5 weeks, required a median (range) of 9.2 (3.0-20.9), 2.4 (0.5-6.0) and 1.8 (0.5-5.4) hours per patient from nurses, dietitians and doctors respectively. Conclusions IPT patient care represents a substantial investment in HCP time, particularly for nurses. Funding models for IPT care need urgent review to ensure this now mainstream therapy integrates well into healthcare resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]