Improved Glycemic Control Observed in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Following the Introduction of Smart Insulin Pens: A Real-World Study

Abstract

Introduction: Many challenges are associated with optimizing glycemic control in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D); combining data from smart insulin pens and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) could mitigate some of these obstacles. Methods: This one-arm, prospective, observational study investigated the effects of introducing a smart pen on glycemic control in pediatric patients with T1D who were using CGM. Children and adolescents with T1D who had been prescribed a smart pen for basal and/or bolus insulin injections were enrolled from three clinics in Sweden. Outcomes compared between baseline and follow-up (≥ 12 months) included: mean numbers of daily (over 24 h) and nocturnal hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events; time above range (TAR; > 180 mg/dL); time below range (TBR; level 1: 54 to < 70 mg/dL; level 2: < 54 mg/dL); time in range (TIR; 70–180 mg/dL); and missed bolus-dose (MBD) meals. Results: Overall, 39 patients were included. Mean numbers of daily hypoglycemic events (− 31.4%; p = 0.00035) and nocturnal hypoglycemic events (− 24.4%; p = 0.043) were significantly reduced from baseline to follow-up. Mean daily TBR level 2 was reduced from 2.82% at baseline to 2.18% at follow-up (− 0.64 percentage points; p = 0.025). There were no statistically significant changes in number of daily hyperglycemic events, MBD meals, TIR, TAR, or TBR level 1. Conclusions: Introducing smart insulin pens was associated with a reduced number of hypoglycemic events and decreases in TBR level 2, demonstrating a potential benefit for glycemic control in pediatric patients.