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. 2023 Aug:202:110830.
doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110830. Epub 2023 Jul 13.

"Empowering Us": A community-led survey of real-world perspectives of adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring to manage their glucose levels

Meaghan Read  1 , Kim N Henshaw  1 , Dessi P Zaharieva  2 , Tim C Brown  3 , Andrea E Varga  1 , Christine Bray  1 , Michelle Cox  1 , Pär-Johan Goody-Rohdin  1 , Kim Hider  1 , Paul Jelleyman  1 , Alicia Jenkins  4 , Carolyn Jones  1 , Peggy Kerr  1 , Rob Leach  1 , Kim Martin  1 , Natalie Oreskovic  1 , Grant O'Sullivan  1 , Jasmin Rucioch  1 , Catriona Sims  5 , Carmel Smart  6 , Jane Speight  7 , Jamie Stanistreet  1 , Michael Tippett  1 , Ioaga Tivalu  1 , Tania Withers  1 , David N O'Neal  8
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Free article

"Empowering Us": A community-led survey of real-world perspectives of adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring to manage their glucose levels

Meaghan Read et al. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2023 Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: To conduct an Australian community-led survey of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), identifying priorities for, and barriers to, optimal use of advanced glucose management technologies.

Research design and methods: A 30-question online survey of current or past users of insulin pump therapy (IPT), real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), or intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) explored perceptions regarding device design, access, education, outcomes, and support.

Results: Between November 2021 and January 2022, surveys were completed by 3,380 participants (age [mean ± SD] 45 ± 16 years; 62% female; 20 ± 14 years diabetes), with 55%, 82%, and 55% reporting experience with IPT, RT-CGM, and isCGM, respectively. Overall, most considered diabetes technology '(extremely) important' for maintaining target glucose levels (98%) and reducing hypoglycaemia severity and frequency (93%). For most, technology contributed positively to emotional well-being (IPT 89%; RT-CGM 91%; isCGM 87%), which was associated with device effectiveness in maintaining glucose in range, comfort, and convenience. Barriers included affordability (IPT 68%; RT-CGM 81%; isCGM 69%) and insufficient information for informed choices about device suitability (IPT 39%; RT-CGM 41%; isCGM 36%).

Conclusions: Technology is perceived by adults with T1D as important for managing glycaemia and emotional well-being. Modifiable barriers to use include affordability, and information regarding device suitability.

Keywords: Insulin pumps; Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring; Lived experience; Real time-continuous glucose monitoring; Type 1 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: DPZ has received speaker’s honoraria from Medtronic Diabetes, Ascensia Diabetes, and Insulet Canada; and research support from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and ISPAD-JDRF Research Fellowship. She has also served on the Dexcom Advisory board. JS has served on advisory boards for Insulet, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, and Sanofi Diabetes; her research group (The Australian Centre for Behavioural Research in Diabetes) has received honoraria for this advisory board participation and has also received unrestricted educational grants and/or in-kind support from Abbott Diabetes Care, AstraZeneca, Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, and Sanofi Diabetes; has received sponsorship to attend educational meetings from Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, and Sanofi Diabetes; and has received consultancy income or speaker fees from Abbott Diabetes Care, AstraZeneca, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk, Roche Diabetes Care, and Sanofi Diabetes. DNO has served on advisory boards for Abbott, Medtronic, MSD, Novo, Roche, and Sanofi; received research support from Medtronic, Novo, Roche, Lilly, and Sanofi; and travel support from Novo and MSD. The other authors have no conflicts to declare.

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