Effect of an Integrated, Multidisciplinary Nationwide Approach to Type 1 Diabetes Care on Metabolic Outcomes: An Observational Real-World Study

Objective: Achieving good metabolic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains a challenge, despite the evolutions in diabetes technologies over the past decade. Here we investigate the evolution of metabolic control in people with T1D, where care is provided by specialized centers with access to technology, diabetes education, and regular follow-up. Methods: Data were cross-sectionally collected between 2010 and 2018 from more than 100 centers in Belgium. The evolutions over time of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were investigated, together with the evolutions of use of insulin pump (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [CSII]), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs. Association of HbA1c with gender, age, diabetes duration, and technology use was analyzed on the most recent cohort. Results: The study population contained data from 89,834 people with T1D (age 1-80 years). Mean HbA1c decreased from 65 mmol/mol (8.1%) in 2010-2011 to 61 mmol/mol (7.7%) in 2017-2018 (P < 0.0001, adjusted for gender, age, diabetes duration, and technology use). Respectively, mean LDL cholesterol decreased from 2.45 mmol/L (94.6 mg/dL) to 2.29 mmol/L (88.5 mg/dL) (P < 0.0001, adjusted for gender, age, and diabetes duration), and mean SBP remained stable. CGM usage increased, whereas the use of CSII and lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs remained stable. Gender, age, diabetes duration, and technology use were independently associated with HbA1c. Conclusions: Our real-world data show that metabolic and lipid control improved over time in a system where T1D care is organized through specialized multidisciplinary centers with emphasis on linking education to provision of technology, and its quality is monitored.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates an improvement in HbA1c and lipid control over the past years in patients with type 1 diabetes who receive care from specialized centers. Furthermore, there was an increase in the use of continuous glucose monitoring, while the use of insulin pump, lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs remained stable.