This comes on the heels of a UK NHS initiative to provide tens of thousands of children and adults with type 1 diabetes in the country with an artificial pancreas.
The study aimed to assess the efficacy of hybrid closed-loop systems at 12 months. It looked at HbA1c, time in range, hypoglycemia frequency and quality of life measures among children and young people with type 1 diabetes.
Investigators conducted the study between Aug. 1, 2021, and Dec. 10, 2022 across eight pediatric diabetes centers in England. They utilized three automated insulin delivery systems, all fully funded by the NHS:
- Tandem t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ technology in combination with the Dexcom G6 CGM.
- Medtronic MiniMed 780G with Guardian 4.
- Ypsomed YpsoPump with CamDiab CamAPS FX and Dexcom G6.
Results from the 251-person cohort demonstrated significant improvements in HbA1c, time in range (13.4% average increase), hypoglycemia frequency (50% reduction), hypoglycemia fear and quality of sleep over 12 months. Parents and carers also reported improvements in hypoglycemia fear and quality of sleep after six and 12 months of use.
In addition to glycemic management improvements, the findings underscored the positive impact of automated insulin delivery technology on the well-being of children with type 1 diabetes and the individuals caring for them.
According to the study published in BMC Medicine, the study marked the largest real-world investigation of the technology in the UK. Investigators say it signals the need for future investigations into the extended impact of the technology in children over more time.
More about the UK automated insulin delivery initiative
The NHS initiative includes the studied hybrid closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems as well as Insulet’s Omnipod 5.
The initiative, long in the works, received support from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). In December, NICE published guidance recommending hybrid closed-loop systems for eligible people with type 1 diabetes in England and Wales. Following that government guidance, the NHS picked up funding and shared its plans to roll out the technology in January.
NHS provided local health systems with £2.5 million ($3.2 million) to kick off the rollout at the start of the month.
“It is incredibly exciting to see hybrid closed-loop technology being rolled out on the NHS in England for people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference – improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes,” Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said earlier this month.
“This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”
