Effect of diabetes technologies on the fear of hypoglycaemia among people living with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Meryem K Talbo; Alexandra Katz; Lee Hill; Tricia M Peters; Jean-François Yale; Anne-Sophie Brazeau

doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102119

Effect of diabetes technologies on the fear of hypoglycaemia among people living with type 1 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

EClinicalMedicine. 2023 Aug 4:62:102119. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102119. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Authors

Meryem K Talbo¹, Alexandra Katz^{1

2}, Lee Hill^{1

3}, Tricia M Peters⁴, Jean-François Yale⁵, Anne-Sophie Brazeau^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3V9, Canada.
² Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard Montpetit Blvd, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada.
³ Department of Paediatrics, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 5252 de Maisonneuve Boulevard W, Montréal, Québec H4A 3S9, Canada.
⁴ Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, and Division of Endocrinology, Lady Davis Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste Catherine, Montréal, Québec H3T 1E2, Canada.
⁵ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue West Montreal, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada.
⁶ Montréal Diabetes Research Centre, 900, Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec H2X 0A9, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Fear of hypoglycaemia (FOH) significantly disrupts the daily management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and increases the risk of complications. Recent technological advances can improve glucose metrics and reduce hypoglycaemia frequency, yet their impact on FOH is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) aimed to synthesize the current literature to understand the impact of diabetes technologies on FOH in T1D.

Methods: In this SRMA, we searched PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception up to May 21st, 2023 for studies assessing the effect of using real-time or intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitors (rtCGM or isCGM); insulin pumps (CSII); and their combinations on FOH as the primary outcome, measured using the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey (HFS; including total, worries [HFS-W], and behaviours [HFS-B] scores), in non-pregnant adults with T1D. Data was extracted by the first and second authors. Results were pooled using a random-effects model based on study design (RCT and non-RCT), with subgroup analysis based on the type of technology, reported change in hypoglycaemia frequency, and duration of use. Risk of bias was evaluated with Cochrane and Joanna Briggs Institute tools. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021253618.

Findings: A total of 51 studies (n = 8966) were included, 22 of which were RCTs. Studies on rtCGM and CSII reported lower FOH levels with ≥8 weeks of use. Studies on CSII and rtCGM combinations reported lower FOH levels after ≥13 weeks of automated insulin delivery (AID) use or 26 weeks of sensor-augmented pump (SAP) use. The meta-analysis showed an overall lower FOH with technologies, specifically for the HFS-W subscale. The RCT meta-analysis showed lower HFS-W scores with rtCGM use (standard mean difference [95%CI]: -0.14 [-0.23, -0.05], I² = 0%) and AID (-0.17 [-0.33, -0.01], I² = 0%). Results from non-RCT studies show that SAP users (-0.33 [-0.38, -0.27], I² = 0%) and rtCGM users (-0.38 [-0.61, -0.14], I² = 0%) had lower HFS-W.

Interpretation: We found consistent, yet small to moderate, effects supporting that diabetes technologies (specifically rtCGM, SAP, and AID) may reduce hypoglycaemia-related worries in adults with T1D. Current literature, however, has limitations including discrepancies in baseline characteristics and limited, mainly descriptive, statistical analysis. Thus, future studies should assess FOH as a primary outcome, use validated surveys, and appropriate statistical analysis to evaluate the clinical impacts of technology use beyond just glucose metrics.

Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Ltd.

Keywords: Automated insulin delivery; Behaviours; Continuous glucose monitoring; Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion; Fear of hypoglycaemia; Hypoglycaemia; Hypoglycaemia worries; Type 1 diabetes.