Study Shows Improved Quality of Life with Advanced Diabetes Technology in Type 1 Diabetes Patients

Introduction

A study conducted on adults with type 1 diabetes who were previously naive to advanced diabetes technology has highlighted the potential benefits of newer technologies in diabetes management. The study, which followed participants for 1 year after they began using an advanced hybrid closed-loop system, suggests that the use of diabetes technology is associated with noticeable improvements in the quality of life.

Background

The study, led by Katarzyna Cyranka, PhD, MA, from the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland, was designed as a 9-month observational continuation of a 3-month randomized controlled trial. The aim was to explore the effect of 1 year of using an advanced hybrid closed-loop system on the quality of life, level of anxiety, and self-efficacy of participants. This research is particularly relevant as the rate of advancement and endorsement of diabetes technology continues to progress, and the optimal uptake of new technologies is a focus of research.

Research Methodology

In the original trial, 41 patients were randomly assigned to either the advanced hybrid closed-loop therapy group using the MiniMed 780G system or the control group, which continued with multiple daily injections and self-monitoring of blood glucose. The study included 20 participants in the intervention arm and 21 participants in the control arm. Out of the total, 37 patients completed the study.

The primary outcomes of interest were changes in quality of life, level of anxiety, and level of self-efficacy. Quality of life was assessed using the Polish version of the ‘QoL-Q Diabetes’ questionnaire, while anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Self-efficacy was measured with the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES).

Results

The analysis of the results revealed significant increases in the overall quality of life based on the QOL-Q Diabetes questionnaire. Specifically, improvements were observed in 11 out of 23 areas of life, including physical activity, feeling well, feeling in control of one’s body, appearance, work, sleep, eating habits, making an impact on others, activities involving pets, spontaneity, and engaging in normal activities.

Furthermore, the study showed that the use of the advanced hybrid closed-loop system was associated with improvements in both state and trait anxiety levels, as well as self-efficacy. Notably, there were no instances of pump discontinuation during the study period.

Conclusion

The findings of this study demonstrate that the use of advanced diabetes technology can significantly improve the quality of life, reduce anxiety levels, and enhance self-efficacy in adults with type 1 diabetes who were previously naive to such technology. The evaluation of patients’ quality of life serves as an important indicator for healthcare professionals and policymakers in their efforts to improve the well-being of individuals with diabetes.

References

1. Cyranka K, Matejko B, Juza A, et al. Quality of life in the course of a one-year use of an advanced hybrid closed-loop system in adults with type 1 diabetes previously naive to advanced diabetes technology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1210756. Published 2023 Aug 15. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1210756
2. Matejko B, Juza A, Kieć-Wilk B, et al. Transitioning of People With Type 1 Diabetes From Multiple Daily Injections and Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Directly to MiniMed 780G Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop System: A Two-Center, Randomized, Controlled Study. Diabetes Care. 2022;45(11):2628-2635. doi:10.2337/dc22-0470

Source link