Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Use Between Children With Type 1 Diabetes Living in Urban and Rural Areas.

OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence that continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use is associated with lower HbA1c among children with type 1 diabetes, uptake of this technology remains lower among those with difficulty accessing health care, including those from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds and racial and ethnic minorities. In this study, we sought to explore the impact of rural location in use of CGM technology to guide patient and provider decision making. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this retrospective study of electronic health record demographic and visits data from a single diabetes program from 1 January 2018 through 31 December 2021, we compared the odds of completing a visit with (+) and without (-) CGM interpretation between rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) designations. RESULTS: Among the 13,645 visits completed by 2,008 patients with type 1 diabetes younger than age 18 years, we found children living in small rural towns had 31% lower odds (6.3% of CGM+ visits, 8.6% of CGM- visits; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.69, 95% CI 0.51-0.94) and those living in isolated rural towns had 49% lower odds (2.0% of CGM+ visits, 3.4% of CGM- visits; aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28-0.92) of completing a CGM-billed clinic visit compared with those living in urban areas (70.0% of CGM+ visits, 67.2% of CGM- visits). We also found significant differences in CGM-billed visits by neighborhood deprivation as well as race/ethnicity and insurance payor. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic location presents a meaningful barrier to access to care for patients living with type 1 diabetes. Further work is needed to identify and address the needs of children and families living in rural areas to improve the care of these patients.

COVID-19 Exacerbates Insulin Resistance During Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Although mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among youth with type 1 diabetes is rare, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is associated with increased pediatric hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). To clarify whether the relationship between COVID-19 and DKA is coincidental or causal, we compared tissue glucose disposal (TGD) during standardized treatment for DKA between pediatric patients with COVID-19 and those without COVID-19. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared TGD during standardized therapy for DKA in all children with preexisting type 1 diabetes with or without COVID-19. Cases were assessed beginning with the first case of COVID-19-positive DKA on 19 June 2020 through 2 February 2022. RESULTS: We identified 93 COVID-19-negative patients and 15 COVID-19-positive patients who were treated for DKA, with similar baseline characteristics between groups. Median TGD was 46% lower among patients who had COVID-19 compared with those who did not (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that COVID-19 provokes a metabolic derangement over and above factors that typically contribute to pediatric DKA. These findings underscore the significant and direct threat posed by COVID-19 in pediatric type 1 diabetes and emphasize the importance of mitigation and monitoring including through vaccination as a primary prevention.

Intraoperative Ultrasound Guided Laparoscopic Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy for Primitive Neuroendocrine Tumors in a Pediatric Patient With MEN-1.

This case details the presentation and surgical management of a 15-year-old male patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 (MEN1) who required distal pancreatectomy for multiple nonfunctional pancreatic tumors. An intraoperative ultrasound was utilized to allow for proper location of the distal pancreatectomy, as well as visualization of the splenic vessel relationships and to ensure all lesions were contained within the specimen. Pathology demonstrated 5 well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors with no evidence of malignancy. This case utilized innovative technology and a multidisciplinary approach in a challenging case to achieve a safe minimally invasive resection. The use of ultrasound intraoperatively provided confidence that all lesions had been identified, as well as demonstration of safe planes separate from the nearby vasculature.

Advances, Challenges, and Cost Associated with Continuous Glucose Monitor Use in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are transforming diabetes management, yet adolescents and young adults (AYA) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) do not experience the same benefits seen with CGM use in adults. The purpose of this review is to explore advances, challenges, and the financial impact of CGM use in AYA with T1D. RECENT FINDINGS: CGM studies in young adults highlight challenges and suggest unique barriers to CGM use in this population. Recent studies also demonstrate differences in CGM use related to race and ethnicity, raising questions about potential bias and emphasizing the importance of patient-provider communication. Cost of these devices remains a significant barrier, especially in countries without nationalized reimbursement of CGM. More research is needed to understand and address the differences in CGM utilization and to increase the accessibility of CGM therapy given the significant potential benefits of CGM in this high-risk group.

The Rapid Transition to Telemedicine and Its Effect on Access to Care for Patients With Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the uptake of telemedicine for diabetes care across multiple demographic groups during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic to understand the impact of telemedicine adoption on access to care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study analyzed demographic information of patients with type 1 diabetes seen between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2020 at a single center. We compared the odds of completing a visit via telemedicine across multiple demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Among 28,977 patient visits, the odds of completing a visit via telemedicine were lower among non-English-speaking (1.7% vs. 2.7%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.79) and Medicaid-insured (32.0% vs. 35.9%; aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95) pediatric patients. No clinically significant differences were observed for other demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid transition to telemedicine did not significantly impact access to diabetes care for most demographic groups. However, disparities in access to care for historically marginalized groups merit close attention to ensure that use of telemedicine does not exacerbate these inequities.

Importance of Patient-Provider Communication to Adherence in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.

Effective communication between pediatric diabetes patients and their providers has the potential to enhance patient satisfaction and health outcomes, as well as improve diabetes-related self-management. In this review, we highlight the importance of communication between patients and providers, focusing on the effect of communication on adherence in the high-risk population of adolescents with type 1 diabetes. We synthesize the literature describing patient-provider communication in pediatric populations and provide implications for practice that focus on the most relevant, modifiable factors for improving self-management in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Timing of Meal Insulin and Its Relation to Adherence to Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes.

The purpose of this study is to examine timing of meal insulin and further determine whether an association exists between timing of meal insulin and missed meal insulin doses. The cohort included 4768 T1D Exchange clinic registry participants <26 years with type 1 diabetes ≥1 year. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and regression were used to assess the relationship between participant characteristics and timing of meal insulin and missed meal doses, respectively. Timing of meal insulin and association with missed meal doses was analyzed using logistic regression. In all, 21% reported administering insulin several minutes before, 44% immediately before, 10% during, and 24% after meal. Participants who gave insulin prior to a meal had significantly lower HbA1c than those who gave insulin during or after meal (8.4% ± 1.5% vs 8.8% ± 1.6%, adjusted P < .001), but no significant association was observed regarding DKA events. Those who reported missing ≥1 insulin dose per week had higher HbA1c (9.8% ± 1.9% vs 8.3% ± 1.3%, adjusted P < .001) and were more likely to experience at least one DKA event (9% vs 5%, adjusted P = .001) compared with those who rarely missed a meal insulin dose. Participants who reported administering insulin during or after a meal were more likely to report missing ≥1 meal insulin dose per week compared with those who administered insulin before a meal (28% vs 14%, adjusted P < .001). Premeal insulin was associated with lower HbA1c and fewer missed meal insulin doses. Providers may use this information to discuss the benefits of premeal insulin on glycemic control and adherence to therapy.

Measures of Adherence and Challenges in Using Glucometer Data in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes: Rethinking the Value of Self-Report.

PURPOSE: The current study compares the relative strength of associations of different adherence measures with glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, while highlighting the challenges in using more objective measures (i.e., glucometer data). METHODS: Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (n = 149) and their caregivers completed a questionnaire measure assessing adolescents' adherence (Self-Care Inventory (SCI)) to the diabetes regimen. Adolescents' glucometers were downloaded to determine average blood glucose checks per day, as an objective measure of adherence. A measure of glycemic control (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)) was obtained as part of adolescents' regular clinic visits. RESULTS: Adolescents' self-reported adherence to the treatment regimen was more strongly correlated with HbA1c than caregivers' reports of adherence. In multivariate analyses, both adolescents' self-report of adherence and average blood glucose checks per day (obtained via a glucometer) were significant predictors of HbA1c. Challenges to obtaining glucometer data were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight adolescents' self-report of adherence using the SCI as a brief and meaningful measure to understand and improve adolescents' glycemic control, particularly when glucometer data is difficult to obtain.

A review of adolescent adherence in type 1 diabetes and the untapped potential of diabetes providers to improve outcomes.

Only 21 % of adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) meet glycemic goals set forth by the American Diabetes Association. Adherence to therapy is a particular concern in this population, and the association between poor adherence and worsening glycemic control indicates that there is a critical need to improve adherence to therapy in adolescents with T1D. In this article, we review barriers to adherence in adolescents with T1D and discuss interventions aimed at improving adherence to therapy and glycemic control. Interventions include technology-based applications, family-based therapies, motivational interviewing, and others. Notably, less than 10 % of the interventions reviewed are provider-led, clinic-based interventions, and few have focused on regimen-related aspects of adherence. This article also outlines the importance of provider communication and the role of providers in facilitating adherence behaviors in adolescents with T1D. Finally, we suggest future directions of research to improve adherence to therapy in adolescents with T1D.

Endocrine disorders in the neonatal period.

CME EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: 1.Review common endocrine conditions that often present in the newborn and perinatal period.2.Determine the enzymes involved in steroidogenesis.3.Discuss the diagnostic evaluation of hypoglycemia. Many endocrine conditions are unique to the perinatal period. In this article, we review many such conditions, including disorders of the pituitary gland, disorders of sexual differentiation, disorders of glucose homeostasis, disorders of the thyroid gland, and disorders of calcium homeostasis. Rather than serving as a comprehensive resource, the article is meant to serve as a guide for general pediatricians and neonatologists caring for infants with endocrine disorders. Moreover, because the field of pediatric endocrinology continues to evolve, consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist for any child with an endocrinopathy is recommended.