Time in Range in Children with Type 1 Diabetes before and during a Diabetes Camp—A Ceiling Effect?

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the time in range (TIR) of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) before and during a diabetes summer camp using different therapy modalities. Methods: A retrospective analysis of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data collected from 26 children with T1D (mean age: 11.0 ± 1.4 years; 62% female; 62% on insulin pump; Hb1Ac 7.3 ± 0.8% (56.3 ± 8.7 mmol/mol) before and during a 14-day summer camp. CGM methods: 50% intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) and 50% real-time CGM (rtCGM). No child was using a hybrid closed loop system. Results: Mean TIR during camp was significantly higher than before camp ((67.0 ± 10.7%) vs. 58.2% ± 17.4%, p = 0.004). There was a significant reduction in time above range (TAR) (p = 0.001) and increase in time below range (TBR) (p < 0.001), Children using isCGM showed a more pronounced improvement in TIR during camp compared to rtCGM-users (p = 0.025). The increase in TIR strongly correlated with numbers of scans per day in isCGM-users (r = 0.751, p = 0.003). Compared to isCGM-users, rtCGM-users showed significantly less TBR. The TIR target was met by 30.8% of participants during camp. Conclusion: Glycemic control improved significantly during the camp. However, on average, the therapy goal (TIR > 70%) could not be achieved despite great professional effort.

Beyond Therapeutic Adherence: Alternative Pathways for Understanding Medical Treatment in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…However, other studies report that, despite modern technological advances, many individuals experience high variability in glucose levels [ 51 ]. In this way, some research suggests that continuous glucose monitoring is probably more essential to achieving good glycemic control than the way insulin is administered (i.e., pen versus pump) [ 52 ].…”