In a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, the investigators randomly assigned pregnant women with type 1 diabetes to receive standard insulin therapy or hybrid closed-loop therapy, with both groups using continuous glucose monitoring. 
 
The primary outcome was the percentage of time in the pregnancy-specific target glucose range from 16 weeks’ gestation until delivery. The mean percentage of time that the maternal glucose level was in the target range was significantly greater in the closed-loop group (68.2+10.5%) than in the standard-care group (55.6+12.5%).
 
Participants in the closed-loop group spent less time in a hyperglycemic state than those in the standard-care group, had more overnight time in the target range, and had lower glycated hemoglobin levels.
 
 

Automated Insulin Delivery in Women with Pregnancy Complicated by Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Hybrid closed-loop insulin therapy has shown promise for management of type 1 diabetes during pregnancy; however, its efficacy is unclear.

METHODS

In this multicenter, controlled trial, we randomly assigned pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and a glycated hemoglobin level of at least 6.5% at nine sites in the United Kingdom to receive standard insulin therapy or hybrid closed-loop therapy, with both groups using continuous glucose monitoring. The primary outcome was the percentage of time in the pregnancy-specific target glucose range (63 to 140 mg per deciliter [3.5 to 7.8 mmol per liter]) as measured by continuous glucose monitoring from 16 weeks’ gestation until delivery. Analyses were performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Secondary outcomes included the percentage of time spent in a hyperglycemic state (glucose level >140 mg per deciliter), overnight time in the target range, the glycated hemoglobin level, and safety events.

RESULTS

A total of 124 participants with a mean (±SD) age of 31.1±5.3 years and a mean baseline glycated hemoglobin level of 7.7±1.2% underwent randomization. The mean percentage of time that the maternal glucose level was in the target range was 68.2±10.5% in the closed-loop group and 55.6±12.5% in the standard-care group (mean adjusted difference, 10.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.0 to 14.0; P<0.001). Results for the secondary outcomes were consistent with those of the primary outcome; participants in the closed-loop group spent less time in a hyperglycemic state than those in the standard-care group (difference, −10.2 percentage points; 95% CI, −13.8 to −6.6); had more overnight time in the target range (difference, 12.3 percentage points; 95% CI, 8.3 to 16.2), and had lower glycated hemoglobin levels (difference, −0.31 percentage points; 95% CI, −0.50 to −0.12). Little time was spent in a hypoglycemic state. No unanticipated safety problems associated with the use of closed-loop therapy during pregnancy occurred (6 instances of severe hypoglycemia, vs. 5 in the standard-care group; 1 instance of diabetic ketoacidosis in each group; and 12 device-related adverse events in the closed-loop group, 7 related to closed-loop therapy).

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid closed-loop therapy significantly improved maternal glycemic control during pregnancy complicated by type 1 diabetes. (Funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Program; AiDAPT ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN56898625. opens in new tab.)

 

Quick Take Video Summary

https://www.nejm.org/do/10.1056/NEJMdo007253/full/

 

Pregnant women’s experiences with closed-loop

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/dia.2023.0323?utm_campaign=ATTD+Diabetes+Tech+Connect+NCC+November+20+2023&utm_content=Updates-Btn1&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

 

In the study titled “Listening to Women: Experiences of Using Closed-Loop in Type 1 Diabetes Pregnancy,” in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, Professor Julia Lawton, from the University of Edinburgh, and coauthors, interviewed closed-loop participants in the Automated insulin Delivery Amongst Pregnant women with T1D (AiDAPT) trial.

Women reported that the use of closed-loop lessened the physical and mental demands of diabetes management and allowed them to feel more normal and to sleep better. By being able to spend more time in range, the women worried less about risks to their babies.

 

Abstract

Introduction: Recent high-profile calls have emphasized that women's experiences should be considered in maternity care provisioning. We explored women's experiences of using closed-loop during type 1 diabetes (T1D) pregnancy to inform decision-making about antenatal rollout and guidance and support given to future users.

Methods: We interviewed 23 closed-loop participants in the Automated insulin Delivery Among Pregnant women with T1D (AiDAPT) trial after randomization to closed-loop and ∼20 weeks later. Data were analyzed thematically.

Results: Women described how closed-loop lessened the physical and mental demands of diabetes management, enabling them to feel more normal and sleep better. By virtue of spending increased time-in-range, women also worried less about risks to their baby and being judged negatively by health care professionals. Most noted that intensive input and support during early pregnancy had been crucial to adjusting to, and developing confidence in, the technology. Women emphasized that attaining pregnancy glucose targets still required ongoing effort from themselves and the health care team. Women described needing education to help them determine when, and how, to intervene and when to allow the closed-loop to operate without interference. All women reported more enjoyable pregnancy experiences as a result of using closed-loop; some also noted being able to remain longer in paid employment.

Conclusions: Study findings endorse closed-loop use in T1D pregnancy by highlighting how the technology can facilitate positive pregnancy experiences. To realize fully the benefits of closed-loop, pregnant women would benefit from initial intensive oversight and support together with closed-loop specific education and training.

Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT04938557.

 

Article pdf free

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/dia.2023.0323?utm_campaign=ATTD+Diabetes+Tech+Connect+NCC+November+20+2023&utm_content=Updates-Btn1&utm_term=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

Conclusions

By showing that closed-loop use can lead to more positive and enjoyable pregnancy experiences, our findings, alongside main trial results,30 offer powerful endorsement for closed-loop use in T1D pregnancy and recent guidance in the United Kingdom to make this technology available to all pregnant women with T1D.34 

However, as women's accounts powerfully highlight, closed-loop is not a panacea. To realize fully the benefits this technology can offer and support successful adoption and rollout in routine clinical care, women would benefit from initial, intensive input, oversight, and support from their health care team together with comprehensive closed-loop-specific education and training.

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