The effect of insulin feedback on closed loop glucose control

Abstract

Context: Initial studies of closed-loop proportional integral derivative control in individuals with type 1 diabetes showed good overnight performance, but with breakfast meal being the hardest to control and requiring supplemental carbohydrate to prevent hypoglycemia. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of insulin feedback to improve the breakfast-meal profile. Design and Setting: We performed a single center study with closed-loop control over approximately 30 h at an inpatient clinical research facility. Patients: Eight adult subjects with previously diagnosed type 1 diabetes participated. Intervention: Subjects received closed-loop insulin delivery with supplemental carbohydrate as needed. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures were plasma insulin concentration, model-predicted plasma insulin concentration, 2-h postprandial and 3- to 4-h glucose rate-of-change following breakfast after 1 d of closed-loop control, and the need for supplemental carbohydrate in response to nadir hypoglycemia. Results: Plasma insulin levels during closed loop were well correlated with model predictions (R = 0.86). Fasting glucose after 1 d of closed loop was not different from nighttime target (118 ± 9 vs. 110 mg/dl; P = 0.38). Two-hour postbreakfast glucose was 132 ± 16 mg/dl with stable values 3-4 h after the meal (0.03792 ± 0.0884 mg/dl · min, not different from 0; P = 0.68) and at target (97 ± 6 mg/dl, not different from 90; P = 0.28). Three subjects required supplemental carbohydrates after breakfast on d 2 of closed loop. Conclusions/Interpretation: Insulin feedback can be implemented using a model estimate of concentration. Proportional integral derivative control with insulin feedback can achieve a desired breakfast response but still requires supplemental carbohydrate to be delivered in some instances. Studies assessing more optimal control configurations and safeguards need to be conducted. Copyright © 2011 by The Endocrine Society.