Key Takeaways
- The study evaluated the changes in glucose management indicator (GMI) at 12 months from baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who switched from multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) to Control-IQ technology.
- The results showed that a greater proportion of individuals achieved the HEDIS and ADA target goals for glycemic status with Control-IQ use compared to MDI use across all payer types.
- The study demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control, with a reduction in GMI from baseline HbA1c levels, and a decrease in the number of individuals with suboptimal glycemic status.
- The findings suggest that Control-IQ technology can help individuals with T1D achieve better glycemic control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
Introduction to the Study
The growing global prevalence of diabetes has challenged clinicians and healthcare systems to address the clinical, emotional, and financial burden of this disease. The number of individuals with diabetes is expected to grow to an estimated 643 million worldwide by 2030. The number of individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) was approximately 8.4 million in 2021 and is expected to increase rapidly. A recent meta-analysis found that the majority of individuals with T1D had hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels well above the American Diabetes Association (ADA) target of less than 7%. This study evaluated the changes in glucose management indicator (GMI) at 12 months from baseline HbA1c in individuals with T1D who switched from multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) to Control-IQ technology.
Study Design and Methods
The study was a US-based retrospective analysis that used data from the Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc t:connect web application and customer relationship management database. Inclusion criteria were having had prior treatment with MDI, having started Control-IQ at least 1 year prior to the study end date, having a most recent recorded baseline HbA1c measurement within 6 months prior to Control-IQ initiation, and having at least 70% continuous glucose monitoring use during the 12-month postinitiation period. The primary outcome was the change in the number and proportion of individuals who met the HEDIS quality measures and ADA glycemic target.
Results of the Study
The analysis included 12,522 individuals with T1D. Following Control-IQ initiation, the number and proportion of individuals who met the HEDIS quality standard increased from 6205 (49.6%) to 11,632 (92.9%) at 12 months. Similar improvements were observed among those who achieved less than 7% GMI. Within all payer groups, the number of patients with baseline HbA1c levels greater than 9% decreased from 3431 to 15. The study demonstrated significant improvements in glycemic control, with a reduction in GMI from baseline HbA1c levels, and a decrease in the number of individuals with suboptimal glycemic status.
Discussion of the Findings
The study’s findings suggest that Control-IQ technology can help individuals with T1D achieve better glycemic control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. The results are consistent with a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among Control-IQ users, which showed significant improvement in mean glucose and HbA1c levels in individuals with T1D. The study’s results also highlight the importance of considering payer type when evaluating the effectiveness of diabetes treatments. The findings have implications for payers and providers, aiding in prioritization of strategies aimed at optimizing outcomes in diabetes care.
Limitations of the Study
The study is not without limitations. Baseline levels of time in range, time below range, and time above range were not available for comparisons with the follow-up period. The inability to measure performance of individuals for whom sufficient data was not available is also a limitation. Additionally, the study only included individuals with prior MDI therapy, and the results may not be generalizable to individuals with other types of diabetes or insulin regimens.
Conclusion of the Study
In conclusion, the study demonstrated that a greater proportion of individuals with T1D can achieve the HEDIS and ADA target goals for glycemic status with Control-IQ use compared to MDI use across all payer types. The findings suggest that Control-IQ technology can help individuals with T1D achieve better glycemic control and reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. The study’s results have implications for payers and providers, aiding in prioritization of strategies aimed at optimizing outcomes in diabetes care. Future studies should aim to address the limitations of this study and provide further evidence on the effectiveness of Control-IQ technology in improving glycemic control in individuals with T1D.