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OBJECTIVE: Technology use in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is impacted by socioeconomic status (SES). This analysis explored relationships between SES, glycemic outcomes, and technology use. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of HbA1c data from 2,822 Australian youth with T1D was undertaken. Residential postcodes were used to assign SES based on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD). Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations among IRSD quintile, HbA1c, and management regimen. RESULTS: Insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, and their concurrent use were associated with lower mean HbA1c across all IRSD quintiles (P < 0.001). There was no interaction between technology use and IRSD quintile on HbA1c (P = 0.624), reflecting a similar association of lower HbA1c with technology use across all IRSD quintiles. CONCLUSIONS: Technology use was associated with lower HbA1c across all socioeconomic backgrounds. Socioeconomic disadvantage does not preclude glycemic benefits of diabetes technologies, highlighting the need to remove barriers to technology access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To assess children's subsequent device usage and caregiver attitudes to do-it-yourself real-time continuous glucose monitoring (DIY-rtCGM) at least 3 months after completing a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods. A brief online questionnaire or telephone call was used to collect the subsequent device usage and caregivers' attitudes from a total of 55 families at least 3 months after their completion of an RCT investigating DIY-rtCGM adapted from their preexisting intermittently scanned glucose sensors plus education on using DIY-rtCGM system. To be eligible for the RCT, children had to be aged 2–13 years, have type 1 diabetes ≥6 months, and be rtCGM naïve. Data collected investigated current CGM use post-RCT and attitudes/user experiences to DIY-rtCGM in the months since RCT study support ended. Results. Overall, responses from 81.8% (45/55) of caregivers were received. Mean age of children was 9.0 ± 2.7 years, and 31 (68.9%) children used insulin pumps. After 3 months, 44.4% (20/45) of responding caregivers reported ongoing DIY-rtCGM use, and of these, only 13 used DIY-rtCGM as the primary glucose monitoring method 100% of time. Of the 25 (55.6%) families who ceased DIY-rtCGM, 40% (10/25) had transitioned to commercial rtCGM. More than half of families (60%, 12/20) who continued DIY-rtCGM use had a very or extremely positive attitude toward the technology and 75% (15/20) of these families planned to continue DIY-rtCGM use. However, signal loss and sensor inaccuracy remained the major reasons among all responders both for decreased DIY-rtCGM wear time and eventual cessation. Burden of use primarily related to technical errors that could not be solved, and alarms, both of which were reported to contribute to discontinuation. Conclusions. This study highlights that, among families voluntarily using DIY-rtCGM at least 3 months following support from a trial, more than half have ceased using DIY-rtCGM, with 40% of those discontinuing switching to commercial rtCGM. While overall perceptions of DIY-rtCGM remain largely positive, burdens of use are high and contribute to discontinuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The bidirectional relationship between sleep and blood glucose levels may particularly affect adolescents and young adults (AYA), who are more likely to experience less healthy glycemic outcomes and more disrupted sleep patterns. To date, few data exist describing the impact of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) on habitual sleep patterns and sleep quality in AYA with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Objective. To evaluate the impact of 6-month use of isCGM on habitual sleep and wake timing, sleep duration, frequency, and duration of night-time awakenings, sleep efficiency, and perceived sleep quality in young people with T1D and HbA1c ≥ 75 mmol/mol. Participants. The study recruited 64 participants aged 13–20 years (mean 16.6 ± 2.1), 48% female, diabetes duration 7.5 ± 3.8 years, 41% Māori or Pasifika, and a mean HbA1c 96.0 ± 18.0 mmol/mol [10.9 ± 3.8%]; 33 were allocated to an isCGM plus self-monitoring blood glucose [SMBG] intervention, and 31 were allocated to the SMBG control group. Methods. Participants completed 7-day actigraphy measures and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire at the baseline and at 6 months. Regression analyses were used to model between-group comparisons, adjusted for baseline sleep measures. Results. At 6 months, subjective measures for overall sleep quality, latency, duration, efficiency, night-time disturbances, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction were similar between the groups. Regression analyses of actigraphy found no significant differences in objectively measured sleep timing and duration across the week after adjusting for age, the period of the school year, and baseline sleep values. Conclusions. The use of first-generation isCGM in addition to finger-prick testing did not impact objective or subjective sleep measures in AYA with T1D, elevated HbA1c, and highly variable sleep patterns. Research using alternative interventions for improving glycemic outcomes and habitual sleep-wake timing, duration, and perceived sleep quality is warranted in this population group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate glycemic and psychosocial outcomes with hybrid closed-loop (HCL) versus user-determined insulin dosing with multiple daily injections (MDI) or insulin pump (i.e., standard therapy for most adults with type 1 diabetes).Research Design and Methods: Adults with type 1 diabetes using MDI or insulin pump without continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) were randomized to 26 weeks of HCL (Medtronic 670G) or continuation of current therapy. The primary outcome was masked CGM time in range (TIR; 70-180 mg/dL) during the final 3 weeks.Results: Participants were randomized to HCL (n = 61) or control (n = 59). Baseline mean (SD) age was 44.2 (11.7) years, HbA1c was 7.4% (0.9%) (57 [10] mmol/mol), 53% were women, and 51% used MDI. HCL TIR increased from (baseline) 55% (13%) to (26 weeks) 70% (10%) with the control group unchanged: (baseline) 55% (12%) and (26 weeks) 55% (13%) (difference 15% [95% CI 11, 19]; P < 0.0001). For HCL, HbA1c was lower (median [95% CI] difference -0.4% [-0.6, -0.2]; -4 mmol/mol [-7, -2]; P < 0.0001) and diabetes-specific positive well-being was higher (difference 1.2 [95% CI 0.4, 1.9]; P < 0.0048) without a deterioration in diabetes distress, perceived sleep quality, or cognition. Seventeen (9 device-related) versus 13 serious adverse events occurred in the HCL and control groups, respectively.Conclusions: In adults with type 1 diabetes, 26 weeks of HCL improved TIR, HbA1c, and their sense of satisfaction from managing their diabetes compared with those continuing with user-determined insulin dosing and self-monitoring of blood glucose. For most people living with type 1 diabetes globally, this trial demonstrates that HCL is feasible, acceptable, and advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves glycaemia for people affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D), but is not funded in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This study explores the impact of non-funded CGM on equity of access and associated glycaemic outcomes., Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study collected socio-demographic (age, gender, prioritised ethnicity, socioeconomic status) and clinical data from all regional diabetes centres in New Zealand with children <15 years with T1D as of 1st October 2021. De-identified data were obtained from existing databases or chart review. Outcomes compared socio-demographic characteristics between those using all forms of CGM and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), and association with HbA1c., Findings: 1209 eligible children were evaluated: 70.2% European, 18.1% Māori, 7.1% Pacific, 4.6% Asian, with even distribution across socioeconomic quintiles. Median HbA1c was 64 mmol/mol (8.0%), 40.2% utilised intermittently scanned (is)CGM, and 27.2% real-time (rt)CGM. CGM utilisation was lowest with Pacific ethnicity (38% lower than Māori) and the most deprived socioeconomic quintiles (quintile 5 vs. 1 adjusted RR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.84). CGM use was associated with regional diabetes centre (P < 0.001). The impact of CGM use on HbA1c differed by ethnicity: Māori children had the greatest difference in HbA1c between SMBG and rtCGM (adjusted difference -15.3 mmol/mol; 95% CI, -21.5 to -9.1), with less pronounced differences seen with other ethnicities., Interpretation: Inequities in CGM use exist based on prioritised ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Importantly, CGM was independently associated with lower HbA1c, suggesting that lack of CGM funding contributes to health disparity in children with T1D., Funding: Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group (APEG), Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, Starship Foundation., Competing Interests: MB has received research grants from the 10.13039/501100001505Health Research Council of New Zealand and 10.13039/501100020473Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group. HD has no conflicts of interest to declare. CJ, RP, BW, and EW are named investigators and MdB is a named Principal Investigator on the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group grant provided for this study. RP has received research grants from the 10.13039/501100001505Health Research Council of New Zealand, Lotteries, 10.13039/501100001515Cure Kids, 10.13039/100011367Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, 10.13039/501100001529Waikato Medical Research Foundation, and 10.13039/100010061University of Waikato. RP has received educational honoraria from Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novo Nordisk, Astra Zeneca, Sanofi, Novartis, and Blue Horizons. RP is on the Eli Lilly New Zealand Medical Advisory Board. RP is an Executive Member of the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, Ministry of Health Expert Diabetes Advisory Group Member, Royal Australasian College of Physicians Adult General Medicine Committee member, and Convener of the New Zealand Diabetes Guidance Group. RP was previously president of the New Zealand Society of Endocrinology. BW has received research grants and equipment from Medtronic, 10.13039/100015769Dexcom, and iSENS. JW is a named investigator on research grants received from the 10.13039/501100001505Health Research Council of New Zealand, 10.13039/501100001530Canterbury Medical Research Foundation, 10.13039/100015769Dexcom, 10.13039/501100001563Otago Medical Research Foundation, National Science Challenge, the 10.13039/100014144Rea Charitable Trust. JW has had research contracts with the Ministry of Health, New Zealand, and the Health Quality and Safety Commission, New Zealand with payments made to his employer/institution, the University of Otago. YA is Chairperson of the Tamariki Pakari Child Health and Wellbeing Trust. MdB has received research grants from 10.13039/100015769Dexcom and Medtronic, and research equipment from Dexcom, Medtronic, and Ypsomed. MdB has received honoraria from Medtronic, Ypsomed, and Dexcom., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Background: MiaoMiao (MM) is a Bluetooth transmitter, which when paired with a smart phone/device, converts the Abbott FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system into a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Families are increasingly adopting DIY CGM solutions, but little is known about parent and child experiences with these add-on technologies. We aimed to explore experiences of families using MM-CGM including challenges faced and their advice to others who may choose to use the technology., Methods: Between May and July 2019, we conducted 12 semistructured interviews (in person or via video conference) with parents of children (aged ≤16 years) with type 1 diabetes using MM-CGM. Interviews were audio recorded; professionally transcribed and key themes were identified through thematic analysis., Results: Overall, parents used MM-CGM to proactively manage their child's blood glucose. In all participants, this led to a perceived decrease in frequency of hypoglycemia. Participants reported that the visibility and easy access to blood glucose readings, glucose trends, and customized alarms on parent's phones decreased their disease burden and improved their sleep quality. Common barriers to using MM-CGM included difficulty of the setting up process, connectivity issues, and lack of support from medical teams., Conclusion: This study highlights the potential feasibility of using a DIY CGM system like MM-CGM, which could be an empowering and cost-effective tool for enabling remote monitoring of blood glucose in real time.