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Introduction and Objective: The ability to perceive the symptoms of hypoglycemia during the early decrease in plasma glucose concentration may be critical for the safety of T1DM patients treated with intensive insulin therapy, including those treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). In the presented observational study an attempt was made to asses clinical factors that might affect subjective awareness of hypoglycemia in CSII-treated T1DM patients, with special attention to factors specific for this mode of treatment., Materials and Methods: For the purpose of the study, data of 110 CSII-treated T1DM patients were collected (78 females and 32 males). The records were analyzed from glucose meters (200-300 measurements/download, depending on meter type) and insulin pumps (total insulin dose, basal/bolus ratio, number of boluses/day, bolus calculator and dual wave/square bolus usage, continuous glucose monitoring data) from the last 3 years., Results: It was found that the level of subjective hypoglycemia perception inversely correlated with the number of hypoglycemic episodes per 100 measurements, age, duration of diabetes, time on insulin pump, and positively correlated with mean glycemia (n = 98; r = 0.22; p = 0.0286). With respect to CSII-related factors, hypoglycemia perception inversely correlated with the percentage of basal insulin (n = 106; r = -0.20; p = 0.0354). In stepwise regression analysis, independent predictors for impaired hypoglycemia perception were: age β = -0.29 (p = 0.023), duration of diabetes β = -0.24 (p = 0.029) and number of the hypoglycemia episodes for 100 measurements β = -0.33 (p = 0.0005)., Conclusions: Risk factors for impaired hypoglycemia perception in CSII-treated patients include those identified previously for the general population of T1DM individuals. In addition, the presented results suggest that a higher basal/bolus ratio may lead to impairment of the ability to perceive early symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Introduction and Objective: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via personal insulin pump is a valuable therapeutic tool in T1DM patients. However, adherence to recommended CSII-related behaviours may be of concern to young adults with intensive, variable daily activities (students, young professionals). The aim of this observational study was to estimate treatment outcomes in young adult patients with T1DM, and compare them with older individuals., Materials and Methods: Overall, 140 adults with T1DM on CSII were examined, divided into 2 subgroups: 77 patients younger than 26 years of age (mean 20.6 years) and 63 older subjects (mean 39.0). We compared the glycaemic control in both groups of T1DM subjects and analyzed treatment attitudes to identify potentially modifiable behaviours influencing the efficacy of the treatment., Results: The younger individuals were characterized by significantly worse treatment outcomes, compared to the older ones: the mean HbA1c levels were 7.6 ± 1.3% and 6.9±1.3% (p=0.00001), while the mean glucose levels based on glucometer downloads were 161±33.6 mg/dL and 136±21.8 mg/dL (p=0.00001), respectively. The frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was lower in younger individuals (5.3±2.1 vs. 7.0±2.8 daily, p=0.0005, respectively); they were also less frequently used advanced pump functions, e.g. the bolus calculator (48% vs. 67% users, p=0.0014, respectively)., Conclusions: The efficacy of CSII treatment observed in young T1DM adults was worse than in older patients. The reason for this phenomenon remains unclear, it may be due simply to age-dependend behaviours, to social environment, or both.