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Automated glucagon delivery reduces hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes
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NEW ORLEANS — Patients with type 1 diabetes receiving glucagon from an automatic bionic pancreas experienced fewer symptomatic hypoglycemia episodes compared with those receiving placebo, according to a presenter here.
Courtney Balliro, RN, BS, CDE, a clinical research at Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Research Center, and colleagues evaluated data from 22 adults with type 1 diabetes who used an insulin pump or multiple daily injections and had reduced hypoglycemia awareness.
Participants administered their own insulin but were randomly assigned to glucagon or placebo (randomized daily) from an automated bionic pancreas. The primary outcome measure was area over the curve (AOC) and blood glucose less than 60 mg/dL.
AOC less than 60 mg/dL was reduced by 75% on glucagon days compared with placebo days (P < .001) and by 91% at night (P < .0001). Symptomatic hypoglycemia episodes were half the amount on glucagon days (0.6 incidents per day) compared with placebo days (1.2 incidents per day; P < .0001); however, there was no difference in mean continuous glucose monitoring.
No unexpected or severe adverse events were reported during either treatment.
“We expected the device to prevent low blood sugar; however, we were pleasantly surprised by its efficacy,” Balliro said during her presentation. “This device has the potential to simplify the lives of people with any disorder that causes low blood glucose levels by providing automatic treatment. Automatic treatment of hypoglycemia is particularly important for people with diabetes due to their increased risk for significant complications.” – by Amber Cox
Reference:
Balliro C, et al. 378-OR. Presented at: American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions; June 10-14, 2016; New Orleans.
Disclosure: Balliro reports no relevant financial disclosures.