New dual-hormone artificial pancreas leads to better blood sugar control in type 1 diabetes

The researchers conducted a randomized crossover trial comparing a rapid insulin-alone artificial pancreas with rapid insulin-and-pramlintide and with regular insulin-and-pramlintide artificial pancreas systems in adults with type 1 diabetes. The participants were assigned to the interventions in random order during three 24-h inpatient visits. Each visit was preceded by an outpatient hormonal open-loop run-in period of 10–14 days. The dual-hormone artificial pancreas delivered pramlintide in a basal-bolus manner, using a novel dosing algorithm, with a fixed ratio relative to insulin. The primary outcome was a time in the range of 3.9–10.0 mmol/L.

The investigators found that those on both insulin and pramlintide reported a high level of satisfaction and better quality of life. Pramlintide slowed down meal absorption, giving insulin more time to work. As a result, patients using the combination of hormones experienced a significant improvement in the time spent within the target blood glucose range.

They concluded: "Compared with the rapid insulin-alone artificial pancreas system, the rapid insulin-and-pramlintide system increased the time in a range from 74% to 84%, whereas the regular insulin-and-pramlintide system did not change the time in range."A novel rapid insulin-and-pramlintide artificial pancreas leads to better blood sugar control compared with a rapid insulin-alone artificial pancreas.

For further reference log on to:https://doi.org/10.2337/dc19-1922