Introduction: Despite advances in technology, many people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) still experience severe hypoglycemic events (SHEs). This study explored the perceived humanistic burden of T1D in adults using continuous glucose monitor (CGM) in the US with or without recurrent SHEs.
Methods: In 60-minute semi-structured interviews, adult CGM users with self-reported T1D diagnosis (≥5 yrs.) described the burden of TID on quality of life (QoL). Participants ranked the ‘top 3’ negative impacts of T1D on QoL. Subgroup analyses were conducted in participants with recurrent SHE (rSHE; ≥2 SHEs last yr.) and without recurrent SHE (nSHE; ≤1 SHEs last yr.).
Results: Participants (N=31; 42% rSHEs, 58% nSHEs) were 74% female and 81% were married. Mean age of T1D diagnosis was 28 yrs. Median SHEs in the past year in the rSHE group were 3 and in the nSHE group were 0. Both groups had mean HbA1c of 7.1%. rSHE and nSHE participants used hybrid closed loop systems (hCLS) (53.8% vs. 44.4%), multiple daily injections (23.1% vs. 33.3%) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pump without hCLS (23.1% vs. 22.2%), respectively. All participants reported negative impacts on physical health, mental health, sleep, relationships, leisure activities, work/studies, and sex life. The ‘top 3’ ranked impacts for the rSHE cohort were physical health and sleep (tied at first) followed by leisure activities. Impacts to physical health, mental health, and relationships were ‘top 3’ for the nSHE cohort.
Conclusions: Recurrent severe hypoglycemia is observed to persist despite use of advanced diabetes technology. Negative impacts on physical health ranked as the primary concern in both rSHE and nSHE cohorts. However, moderate variability in ranked negative impact order was observed between the cohorts.
A.Boateng-kuffour: None. P.Callahan: Consultant; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Abbott Diabetes, HealthCore Inc., BMS, Employee; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Genesis Research. K.Chandarana: Employee; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Stock/Shareholder; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. J.L.Gaglia: Advisory Panel; Dompé, Consultant; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Abata Therapeutics, Avotres Inc., Current Health, Research Support; Avotres Inc., Dompé, Imcyse, Stock/Shareholder; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. M.Phinney: None. E.Guzman ortega: Research Support; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. R.N.Krupnick: Consultant; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. M.Reaney: None. W.H.Polonsky: Consultant; Abbott Diabetes, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly Alliance, Eli Lilly and Company, Insulet Corporation, Intuity Medical, Inc., MannKind Corporation, Provention Bio, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis U.S., Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.