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Aim: The risk of Type 2 Diabetes is 10 times higher after a pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes. Physical activity can independently reduce this risk, yet engagement with physical activity remains low after Gestational Diabetes. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to the uptake of physical activity after Gestational Diabetes in the United Kingdom, using a socio‐ecological approach. Methods: The paper was written following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Patient and Public Involvement contributed to the study's conceptualisation and design. Participants were recruited through an audit of Gestational Diabetes cases at a local Teaching Hospital in 2020. Twelve participants took part in semi‐structured one‐to‐one interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate themes in iterative rounds of refinement. The final themes were then organised using the socio‐ecological model. Results: Participants were all over 31 years old, predominantly self‐identified as White British and were all in employment but were evenly spread across UK‐based deprivation deciles. Ten themes were generated and organised according to the four levels of the socio‐ecological model: intrapersonal (beliefs about activity, recovering from birth), social (health care professionals, family and partner, role as a mother), organisational (access and cost, environment, childcare and work) and community (connecting women with recent Gestational Diabetes). Conclusions: Many of the amenable barriers and facilitators to physical activity were beyond the intrapersonal level, based on higher levels of the socio‐ecological model (social, organisational and community). Multi‐level interventions are needed to effectively address all barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People with severe mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia, have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and worse outcomes, compared to those without SMI and it is not known whether diabetes self‐management interventions are effective for people who have both conditions. Research in this area has been impeded by a lack of consensus on which outcomes to prioritise in people with co‐existing SMI and diabetes. Aims: To develop a core outcome set (COS) for use in effectiveness trials of diabetes self‐management interventions in adults with both type 2 diabetes and SMI. Methods: The COS was developed in three stages: (i) identification of outcomes from systematic literature review of intervention studies, followed by multi‐stakeholder and service user workshops; (ii) rating of outcomes in a two‐round online Delphi survey; (iii) agreement of final 'core' outcomes through a stakeholder consensus workshop. Results: Seven outcomes were selected: glucose control, blood pressure, body composition (body weight, BMI, body fat), health‐related quality of life, diabetes self‐management, diabetes‐related distress and medication adherence. Conclusions: This COS is recommended for future trials of effectiveness of diabetes self‐management interventions for people with SMI and type 2 diabetes. Its use will ensure trials capture important outcomes and reduce heterogeneity so findings can be readily synthesised to inform practice and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, separately, compared with the use of sulfonylureas among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Using the United Kingdom Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2007–2019), we assembled two new‐user active comparator cohorts. In the first cohort assessing melanoma as the outcome, 11,786 new users of GLP‐1 RAs were compared with 208,519 new users of sulfonylureas. In the second cohort assessing nonmelanoma skin cancer as the outcome, 11,774 new users of GLP‐1 RAs were compared with 207,788 new users of sulfonylureas. Cox proportional hazards models weighted using propensity score fine stratification were fit to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, respectively. Results: Compared with sulfonylureas, GLP‐1 RAs were not associated with an increased risk of either melanoma (42.6 vs. 43.9 per 100,000 person‐years, respectively; HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.53–1.75) or nonmelanoma skin cancer (243.9 vs. 229.9 per 100,000 person‐years, respectively; HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.80–1.33). There was no evidence of an association between cumulative duration of use with either melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer. Consistent results were observed in secondary and sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: In this population‐based cohort study, GLP‐1 RAs were not associated with an increased risk of melanoma or nonmelanoma skin cancer, compared with sulfonylureas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To identify factors influencing dietary behaviour in shift workers with type 2 diabetes (T2D) working in UK healthcare settings. Methods: Semi‐structured qualitative interviews based on the theoretical domains framework (TDF) were conducted with a convenience sample (n = 15) of shift workers (32–59 years) diagnosed with T2D who worked night shifts as part of a mixed shift schedule. The TDF was applied to analyse transcripts using a combined deductive framework and inductive thematic analysis approach. Identified influences were mapped to the behaviour change technique taxonomy to identify potential strategies to change dietary behaviour in this context. Results: Key barriers to healthy dietary behaviours were access and cost of food available during night work (TDF domain: Environment Context and Resources). Factors identified as both enablers and barriers included: availability of staff facilities and time to take a break, (Environment Context and Resources), the physical impact of night work (Beliefs About Consequences), eating in response to stress or tiredness (Emotion), advance planning of meals/food and taking own food to work (Behavioural Regulation). Potential techniques to address these influences and improve dietary behaviour in this context include: meal planning templates, self‐monitoring and biofeedback, and increasing accessibility and availability of healthier food choices during night shifts. Conclusions: The dietary behaviour of shift workers with T2D is influenced by interacting individual, socio‐cultural and environmental factors. Intervention should focus on environmental restructuring and strategies that enable monitoring and meal planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To determine differences in the management of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) relevant to patient sex, ethnicity and socio‐economic group in UK primary care. Methods: A cross‐sectional analysis as of January 1, 2019 was undertaken using the IQVIA Medical Research Data dataset, to determine the proportion of people with DKD managed in accordance with national guidelines, stratified by demographics. Robust Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted risk ratios (aRR) adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity and social deprivation. Results: Of the 2.3 million participants, 161,278 had type 1 or 2 diabetes, of which 32,905 had DKD. Of people with DKD, 60% had albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) measured, 64% achieved blood pressure (BP, <140/90 mmHg) target, 58% achieved glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c, <58 mmol/mol) target, 68% prescribed renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor in the previous year. Compared to men, women were less likely to have creatinine: aRR 0.99 (95% CI 0.98–0.99), ACR: aRR 0.94 (0.92–0.96), BP: aRR 0.98 (0.97–0.99), HbA1c: aRR 0.99 (0.98–0.99) and serum cholesterol: aRR 0.97 (0.96–0.98) measured; achieve BP: aRR 0.95 (0.94–0.98) or total cholesterol (<5 mmol/L) targets: aRR 0.86 (0.84–0.87); or be prescribed RAAS inhibitors: aRR 0.92 (0.90–0.94) or statins: aRR 0.94 (0.92–0.95). Compared to the least deprived areas, people from the most deprived areas were less likely to have BP measurements: aRR 0.98 (0.96–0.99); achieve BP: aRR 0.91 (0.8–0.95) or HbA1c: aRR 0.88 (0.85–0.92) targets, or be prescribed RAAS inhibitors: aRR 0.91 (0.87–0.95). Compared to people of white ethnicity; those of black ethnicity were less likely to be prescribed statins aRR 0.91 (0.85–0.97). Conclusions: There are unmet needs and inequalities in the management of DKD in the UK. Addressing these could reduce the increasing human and societal cost of managing DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Identifying children at risk of type 1 diabetes allows education for symptom recognition and monitoring to reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation. We aimed to explore stakeholder views towards paediatric general population screening for type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 25 stakeholders, including diabetes specialists, policymakers and community stakeholders who could be involved in a future type 1 diabetes screening programme in the UK. A thematic framework analysis was performed using the National Screening Committee's evaluative criteria as the overarching framework. Results: Diabetic ketoacidosis prevention was felt to be a priority and proposed benefits of screening included education, monitoring and helping the family to better prepare for a future with type 1 diabetes. However, diabetes specialists were cautious about general population screening because of lack of evidence for public acceptability. Concerns were raised about the harms of living with risk, provoking health anxiety and threatening the child's right to an 'open future'. Support systems that met the clinical and psychological needs of the family living with risk were considered essential. Stakeholders were supportive of research into general population screening and acknowledged this would be a priority if an immunoprevention agent were licensed in the UK. Conclusions: Although stakeholders suggested the harms of UK paediatric general population screening currently outweigh the benefits, this view would potentially be altered if prevention therapies were licensed. In this case, an evidence‐based screening strategy would need to be formulated and public acceptability explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To describe the process and outputs of a workshop convened to identify key priorities for future research in the area of diabetes and physical activity and provide recommendations to researchers and research funders on how best to address them. Methods: A 1‐day research workshop was conducted, bringing together researchers, people living with diabetes, healthcare professionals, and members of staff from Diabetes UK to identify and prioritise recommendations for future research into physical activity and diabetes. Results: Workshop attendees prioritised four key themes for further research: (i) better understanding of the physiology of exercise in all groups of people: in particular, what patient metabolic characteristics influence or predict the physiological response to physical activity, and the potential role of physical activity in beta cell preservation; (ii) designing physical activity interventions for maximum impact; (iii) promoting sustained physical activity across the life course; (iv) designing physical activity studies for groups with multiple long‐term conditions. Conclusions: This paper outlines recommendations to address the current gaps in knowledge related to diabetes and physical activity and calls on the research community to develop applications in these areas and funders to consider how to stimulate research in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The contemporary prescription patterns of antidiabetic drugs following guideline changes recommending metformin as first‐line gestational diabetes (GDM) pharmacotherapy is underexplored. We aimed to examined use of metformin and insulin during pregnancy among women with GDM over 20 years in the United Kingdom. Methods: We conducted a population‐based cohort study using linked data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, its pregnancy register and Hospital Episode Statistics from 1998 to 2017. We included pregnancies of women without prior diabetes history who received GDM diagnosis or initiated an antidiabetic drug after 20 weeks gestation. Patient‐level and practice‐level characteristics were compared between metformin initiators and insulin initiators. We described trends of initiating metformin as first‐line treatment and described time to initiation of rescue insulin overall, and by body mass index among metformin initiators. Results: Our cohort included 5633 pregnancies from 5393 women with GDM, of whom 38.9% initiated pharmacotherapy (41% insulin, 59% metformin). Metformin prescriptions (as opposed to insulin) increased substantially, from <5% of pregnancies before 2007 to 42.5% in 2008. Over 85% of pregnancies that were prescribed pharmacotherapy were prescribed metformin as first‐line treatment in 2015. Among metformin initiators, 16% initiated rescue insulin, typically occurring within 40 days of metformin initiation. Choice of GDM pharmacotherapy varied by characteristics, including smoking, obesity, race/ethnicity and general practice regions. Conclusions: Metformin was the most prescribed medication for GDM, with large increases over the past 2 decades. The increasing use of oral‐antidiabetic drugs during pregnancy, consistent with other regions, highlights the need for future studies examining effectiveness and safety of antidiabetic drug use during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Assess effectiveness of a hybrid intervention targeting physical activity in women with prior gestational diabetes. Methods: Randomised controlled trial with parallel arms. 293 women (35.1 ± 5.1 years; 40% ethnic minority) recruited from two hospitals and randomised to routine care or hybrid lifestyle intervention comprising two group sessions and access to a mobile web app. Primary outcome was a change in objectively measured physical activity at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included self‐efficacy for exercise, quality of life and anxiety and depression. Linear regression compared outcome measures between groups. Results: 83% of intervention participants attended at least one group session, of who 66% registered to use the app. There was a non‐significant increase in physical activity at 12 months (between‐group difference of 0.95 mg [95% CI: −0.46 to 2.37]), equivalent to approximately 500 steps per day. Intervention participants reported higher self‐efficacy for exercise (0.54, 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.102; p = 0.029), lower anxiety (−0.91, 95% CI: −1.74 to −0.09; p = 0.031), and higher quality of life (0.05, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.09; p = 0.032), compared to controls. Conclusions: The intervention improved confidence in exercise and quality of life. Further research is needed to improve participant engagement with physical activity interventions in multi‐ethnic populations with a history of gestational diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Fully closed‐loop insulin delivery has been shown in clinical trials to be safe and improve glucose control compared with standard insulin therapy in the inpatient setting. We investigated the feasibility of implementing the approved CamAPS HX fully closed‐loop system in a hospital setting. Methods: This implementation project was conducted in a large teaching hospital in Cambridge, UK. Healthcare professional training was multimodal including face‐to‐face workshops, online learning modules and supported by standard operating procedures. Set‐up and maintenance of closed‐loop devices were undertaken by the inpatient diabetes team. Selection of suitable patients was multidisciplinary and prioritised those with more challenging diabetes management. Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic health records and diabetes data management platforms. Results: In the 12 months since the closed‐loop system was implemented, 32 inpatients (mean ± SD age 61 ± 16 years, 8 females, 24 males) used closed‐loop insulin delivery during their admission, across medical and surgical wards in the hospital with a total of 555 days of closed‐loop glucose control (median [IQR]: 14 [6, 22] days per inpatient). The time spent in target glucose range 3.9–10.0 mmol/L was 53.3 ± 18.3%. Mean glucose was 10.7 ± 1.9 mmol/L with 46.0 ± 18.2% of time spent with glucose >10.0 mmol/L. Time spent with sensor glucose below 3.9 mmol/L was low (median [IQR]: 0.38 [0.00, 0.85]). There were no episodes of severe hypoglycaemia or diabetic ketoacidosis during closed‐loop use. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the fully closed‐loop system can be safely and effectively implemented by a diabetes outreach team in complex medical and surgical inpatients with challenging glycaemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Facilitated self‐management support programmes have become central to the treatment of chronic diseases including diabetes. For many children and young people with diabetes (CYPD), the impact on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and a range of self‐management behaviours promised by these programmes remain unrealised. This warrants an appraisal of current thinking and the existing evidence to guide the development of programmes better targeted at this age group. Methods: Create a narrative review of systematic reviews produced in the last 3 years that have explored the impact on CYPD of the four key elements of self‐management support programmes: education, instruction and advice including peer support; psychological counselling via a range of therapies; self‐monitoring, including diaries and telemetric devices; and telecare, the technology‐enabled follow‐up and support by healthcare providers. Results: Games and gamification appear to offer a promising means of engaging and educating CYPD. Psychological interventions when delivered by trained practitioners, appear to improve HbA1c and quality of life although effect sizes were small. Technology‐enabled interactive diaries can increase the frequency of self‐monitoring and reduce levels of HbA1c. Telecare provided synchronously via telephone produced significant improvements in HbA1c. Conclusions: The cost‐effective flexibility of increasing the reliance on technology is an attractive proposition; however, there are resource implications for digital connectivity in underserved populations. The need remains to improve the understanding of which elements of each component are most effective in a particular context, and how to optimise the influence and input of families, caregivers and peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: People with type 2 diabetes can enter remission but may relapse or develop legacy complications. This analysis assesses whether people with remission from type 2 diabetes continue receiving annual care processes recommended in national guidelines and the potential impacts of formal recognition of remission. Methods: People with type 2 diabetes with and without formal recognition (diagnostic code) of remission, and with and without evidence of remission (HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol without prescription for glucose‐lowering drugs in preceding 26 weeks), included in the 2018/19 National Diabetes Audit (NDA) for England and Wales were followed up to identify care processes received between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2020. Results: Of the 2,822,145 people with type 2 diabetes in the cohort, 16,460 (0.58%) were coded with remission in the 2018/19 NDA. After adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity, people coded with remission were less likely to receive each care process than those without such coding irrespective of HbA1c measurements (relative risk (RR) of receiving all 8 care processes 0.70 (95% CI 0.69–0.72)). For the 339,235 people with evidence of remission, irrespective of diagnostic coding compared to those without such evidence, the RR for receiving all 8 care processes was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93–0.94). Conclusions: People coded with remission of type 2 diabetes were less likely to receive diabetes care processes than those without such coding. People with evidence of remission had only a slightly reduced likelihood of receiving care processes. Formal recognition of remission may affect the provision or uptake of care processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To understand the health needs, experiences, and views of women with type 2 diabetes in relation to diabetes, reproductive health experiences, and general wellbeing. Method: A qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews. Thirty‐six women with type 2 diabetes (median age 37 years; age ranges 20–45 years; median diabetes duration 4.5 years), recruited through social media and charities in the UK (n = 23) and Turkey (n = 13). Video interviews (n = 28) were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Email interviews (n = 8) and transcribed video interviews were analysed using Framework Analysis. Results: Two overarching themes were identified: (1) Perception of self and identity, (2) type 2 diabetes care is not orientated to women's needs. These themes highlight that living with type 2 diabetes was negatively perceived by the women in terms of their self‐identity and reproductive health. Women reported that the diabetes care provided was often not appropriate or relevant to their health needs, and neglected issues of relevance to them. The women voiced ideas for enhancing current care to reflect their health needs, in particular the need for more emotional and peer‐based support. Conclusion: Living with type 2 diabetes may negatively impact how women view themselves and how they relate to the roles they identify with such as, as a partner, mother, colleague. Current healthcare systems are not orientated to the specific needs of younger women with type 2 diabetes with limited opportunities to target their diabetes care around their health and wellbeing concerns and interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: People with pre‐diabetes are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes. This progression is not well characterised by ethnicity, deprivation and age, which we describe in a large cohort of individuals with pre‐diabetes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study with The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database was conducted. Patients aged 18 years and over and diagnosed with pre‐diabetes [HbA1c 42 mmol/mol (6.0%) to 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) were included]. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard rate ratios (aHR) for the risk of progression from pre‐diabetes to type 2 diabetes for each of the exposure categories [ethnicity, deprivation (Townsend), age and body mass index (BMI)] separately. Results: Of the baseline population with pre‐diabetes (n = 397,853), South Asian (aHR 1.31; 95% CI 1.26–1.37) or Mixed‐Race individuals (aHR 1.22; 95% CI 1.11–1.33) had an increased risk of progression to type 2 diabetes compared with those of white European ethnicity. Likewise, deprivation (aHR 1.17; 95% CI 1.14–1.20; most vs. least deprived) was associated with an increased risk of progression. Both younger (aHR 0.63; 95% CI 0.58–0.69; 18 to <30 years) and older individuals (aHR 0.85; 95% CI 0.84–0.87; ≥65 years) had a slower risk of progression from pre‐diabetes to type 2 diabetes, than middle‐aged (40 to <65 years) individuals. Conclusions: South Asian or Mixed‐Race individuals and people with social deprivation had an increased risk of progression from pre‐diabetes to type 2 diabetes. Clinicians need to recognise the differing risk across their patient populations to implement appropriate prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Regional variations in the adoption of diabetes technology may be reflected in population‐level metrics of glycaemic control. In this observational study, we aimed to assess the glycaemic impacts of transitioning from the Dexcom G5 Real‐Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring (RT‐CGM) System to the Dexcom G6 in three European countries. Methods: Anonymised RT‐CGM data (uploaded to the Dexcom Clarity app) were from users in Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (UK) who transitioned from G5 to G6 between 9‐12 months after G6 launched in 2018. Primary endpoints were percent time in hypoglycaemia, percent time in range (TIR), user retention rates, device utilisation, and urgent low soon (ULS) alert utilisation. Metrics were computed for 3‐month intervals in the 2‐year study window. Results: In all three countries, the transition from G5 to G6 was associated with a clear decrease in hypoglycaemia. In months 0‐3 after transitioning, the median percent time 〈3 mmol/L (54 mg/dL) and 〈3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) decreased by [0.12‐0.28] and [0.40‐0.43] percentage points, respectively, with another [0.11‐0.21] and [0.34‐0.65] percentage point decrease in months 3‐6 in the three countries analysed. TIR and CGM utilisation were sustained or improved slightly across all countries. At the end of the study window, the retention rate was [88.8‐94.8%] and ULS utilization was [83.9‐86.9%] in the three countries analysed. Conclusions: Similar RT‐CGM trends were observed across Germany, Sweden, and the UK. Improvements in hypoglycaemia occurred in all countries. The high retention of users may lead to sustained glycaemic benefits associated with RT‐CGM use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many people with undiagnosed diabetes have hyperglycaemia when admitted to hospital. Inpatient hyperglycaemia can be an indication of diabetes mellitus but can also indicate a stress response. This study reports the extent to which an in‐hospital maximum observed random glucose measurement is an indicator of the need for in‐hospital (or subsequent) HbA1c measurement to look for undiagnosed diabetes. Methods: Blood glucose, HbA1c, age and sex were collected for all adults following admission to a UK NHS trust hospital from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. We restricted the analysis to those participants who were registered with a GP practice that uses the trust laboratory and who had at least some tests requested by those practices since 2008. We stratified individuals according to their maximum in‐hospital glucose measurement and report the number of these with HbA1c measurement ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) prior to the index admission, and during and after admission. We calculated an estimated proportion of individuals in each blood glucose stratum without a follow‐up HbA1c who could have undiagnosed diabetes. Results: In toal, 764,241 glucose measurements were recorded for 81,763 individuals who were admitted to the Oxford University Hospitals Trust. The median (Q1, Q3) age was 70 (56, 81) years, and 53% were males. Of the population, 70.7% of individuals declared themselves to be of White ethnicity, 3.1% of Asian background, and 1.1% of Black background, with 23.1% unstated. Of those individuals, 22,375 (27.4%) had no previous HbA1c measurement recorded. A total of 1689 individuals had a diabetes‐range HbA1c during or after their hospital admission (2.5%) while we estimate an additional 1496 (2.2%) may have undiagnosed diabetes, with the greatest proportion of these having an in‐hospital glucose of ≥15 mmol/L. We estimate that the number needed to detect a possible new case of diabetes falls from 16 (in‐hospital glucose 8 mmol/L to <9 mmol/L) to 4 (14 mmol/L to <15 mmol/L). Conclusion: The number of people who need to be tested to identify an individual who may have diabetes decreases as a testing threshold based on maximum in‐hospital glucose concentration increases. Among those with hyperglycaemia and no previous HbA1c measurement in the diabetes range, there appears to be a lack of subsequent HbA1c measurement. This work identifies the potential for integrating the testing and follow‐up of people, with apparently unrecognised hospital hyperglycaemia across primary and secondary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]