The study evaluated more than 9,000 adults with type 1 diabetes across Europe. It utilized data from patients using the Diabeloop Generation 1 (DBLG1) hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery device. Investigators published findings in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.
Across multiple European countries, women made up 59% of the 9,036 participants. It had an average study period of 320 days, amassing nearly 3 million days of data. Diabeloop reports significant sex differences observed in insulin-weight ratios.
In a news release, Diabeloop says the analysis provides valuable insights into the daily insulin requirements for adults with type 1 diabetes. It revealed a statistically significant 14% difference in the ratio between sexes, the company said. Diabeloop believes the findings have important implications for the practical management of insulin therapy.
The company also says its results highlight the necessity of considering sex as a crucial factor in diabetes treatment. Current treatment guidelines from American and European diabetes societies don’t have sex-specific recommendations for insulin weight ratios.
Investigators recommend that the total daily dose of insulin should be downgraded by 10% to 15% in female patients. Dr. Pierre Y. Benhamou, corresponding author, said the outcomes could aid in treatment initiation for new delivery methods.
Diabeloop said the study highlights that one-size-fits-all approaches may not prove optimal in managing conditions like type 1 diabetes.
“Our study demonstrates the importance of sex-specific analyses in medical research, particularly in the field of diabetes management, and the importance of personalized approaches in medicine,” said Erik Huneker, co-founder and CSO/CTO for Diabeloop. “This study also highlights the capacity to discover new insights from big-data analysis of real-world data.”
