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The Steno Free Trial: AID to Adults with New-onset of Type 1 Diabetes

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Type 1 Diabetes
Interventions
Device: AID technology
Device: CGM
Registration Number
NCT06586632
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

Since the introduction of insulin therapy 100 years ago, significant progress has continuously been made in the treatment of people with type 1 diabetes. In the last 10 years, the focus has largely been on technology, and the introduction of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems has revolutionized the treatment of type 1 diabetes. AID is an automated system that works by enabling the insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to communicate with each other, automatically adjusting the subcutaneous insulin dosage according to blood glucose levels. AID technology is predominantly used for individuals with long duration of type 1 diabetes, and due to economic limitations in access to the treatment, it is especially used for those with treatment-related challenges in diabetes regulation. The aim of the Steno Free trials is to investigate whether AID technology combined with on-demand consultations for adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, compared to conventional standard treatment with a CGM after 1 year of treatment, leads to:

1. less diabetes distress, improved quality of life, and increased health literacy,

2. better diabetes regulation,

3. less disease burden and, therefore, a greater degree of freedom in their daily lives.

Detailed Description

Type 1 diabetes is the result of an autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, leading to a vital need for insulin treatment. Since the introduction of insulin therapy 100 years ago, significant progress has continuously been made in the treatment of people with type 1 diabetes. In the last 10 years, the focus has largely been on technology, and the introduction of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems has revolutionized the treatment of type 1 diabetes. AID is an automated system that works by enabling the insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to communicate with each other, automatically adjusting the subcutaneous insulin dosage according to blood sugar levels. The technology has been shown to result in significantly better diabetes control, measured by long-term blood sugar levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the time spent in the blood sugar target range (time in range (TIR)) compared to conventional insulin pen treatment. Additionally, the technology generally leads to an improvement in quality of life, manifested through better sleep, reduced anxiety, and fewer worries related to daily life with diabetes. Following these technological advances, a new survey on well-being and satisfaction among people with type 1 diabetes in Denmark has shown that over 85% of adults with diabetes are highly or very highly satisfied with their treatment. Despite this, diabetes distress remains present in 31% of individuals, particularly among young people, both with and without technology. Furthermore, we know that the initial period after a type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be marked by stress and challenges. In clinical practice, AID technology is predominantly used for individuals who have had diabetes for several years, and due to economic limitations in access to the treatment, it is especially used for those with treatment-related challenges in diabetes regulation, despite the fact that the treatment is approved and considered standard care. Through a systematic literature search for international studies, the investigators have not been able to locate studies examining the effect of AID technology for adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, making this study the first of its kind. With this study, the investigators hope to determine whether early treatment with AID technology can help individuals navigate the initial period after diagnosis more easily and to some extent free them from worries and stress related to diabetes, hence the name Steno Free. The aim of the study is to investigate whether AID technology combined with need-based consultations for adults with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes, compared to conventional standard treatment with a CGM after 1 year of treatment, leads to:

1. less diabetes distress (PAID-20), improved quality of life (WHO-5), and increased health literacy (The Health Literacy Questionnaire);

2. better diabetes regulation (TIR and HbA1c);

3. less disease burden and, therefore, a greater degree of freedom in their daily lives (qualitative interviews).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • new-onset of Type 1 diabetes with positive auto-antibodies
Exclusion Criteria
  • negative auto-antibodies,
  • uncertainty about the type 1 diabetes diagnosis
  • pregnancy
  • ongoing cancer or other acute/chronic severe illnesses that could potentially hinder participation and compliance in the project (determined by the PI)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
AID groupAID technologyAID technology combined with on-demand consultations
CGM groupCGMStandard care with insulin pen based therapy combined with CGM
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Less diabetes distressPaid-20 score will be assessed at baseline (inclusion), 3 months after inclusion and annually until end of study (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

Less diabetes distress will be measured via the Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (Paid-20) questionnaire.The Problem Areas In Diabetes (PAID) scale is a well- validated, psychometrically robust questionnaire with 20 items.The PAID is a self-report pencil and paper questionnaire that contains 20 items. The higher score the more negative emotions related to diabetes.

Increased quality of lifePaid-20 score will be assessed at baseline (inclusion), 3 months after inclusion and annually until end of study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

Increased quality of life will be measured via the Well-being index (WHO-5) questionnaire. The higher score the more quality of life. (The WHO-5 is focused on subjective quality of life based on positive mood (good spirits, relaxation), vitality (being active and waking up fresh and rested), and general interest (being interested in things). A score below 50 can indicate poor well-being which may be secondary to a depressive disorder or other etiology and is an indication for further evaluation.

Increased health literacyPaid-20 score will be assessed at baseline (inclusion), 3 months after inclusion and every 12 months until end of study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

Increased health literacy will be measured via the Health Literacy questionnaire (HLQ).The HLQ has nine scales that each measure an aspect of the multidimensional construct of health literacy. All scales have good psychometric properties. The higher score the more health literacy.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Glucose regulation 1TIR will be measured at baseline (inclusion) and every 12 months until end of study (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

CGM data including Time In Range (TIR) for the last 14 days measured by a dexcom sensor

Glucose regulation 2TAR will be measured at baseline (inclusion) and every 12 months until end of study (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

CGM data including Time above range (TAR) for the last 14 days measured by a dexcom sensor

Glucose regulation 3TBR will be measured at baseline (inclusion) and every 12 months until end of study (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

CGM data including Time below range (TBR) for the last 14 days measured by a dexcom sensor

Glucose regulation 4Estimated A1c will be measured at baseline (inclusion) and every 12 months until end of study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

CGM data including estimated haemoglobin A1C via a dexcom sensor

Insulin dosageinsulin dosage will be measured at baseline (inclusion) and every 12 months untill end of study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

insulin dosage from both groups

Number of hospitalizationsWill be measured retrospectively from start of study October 2024 until the end of the study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

number of hospitalizations due to hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis

Consultations with the health care professionalsData will be retrospectively collected at the end of the study (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

amount of physical or virtual consultations

Sick daysData will be retrospectively collected at the end of the study(anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

participants will be asked at the regularly visit at the hospital the amount of sick days since last consultation

Qualitative interviews3 months and 12 months after inclusion (anticipated average 24 months, but till the year 2028)

Qualitative interviews with emphasis on their own experience participating in the study

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