Glycemic control status, diabetes management patterns, and clinical characteristics of adults with type 1 diabetes in Japan: Study of Adults' Glycemia in T1DM subanalysis.

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is rare in the general Japanese population, but becoming more common in adults with increased longevity owing to advancements in treatment. We aimed to examine the current state of glycemic control and diabetes management using real-world data on Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes in different age groups. This was a subanalysis of Japanese participants from a multinational, cross-sectional, observational study of adults with type 1 diabetes aged ≥ 26years conducted in 2018 (Study of Adults' Glycemia in T1DM). Glycemic control achievement rate and goal setting, incidence of hypoglycemia, and diabetes management of individuals aged 26‒44years, 45‒64years, and ≥ 65years were summarized. The data on 528 participants were analyzed. The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value was 7.8% (61.3mmol/mol). Of the participants, 25.8% achieved an HbA1c level of < 7.0% (26-44years, 33.7%; 45‒64years, 18.9%; and ≥ 65years, 24.3%). In total, 71.4% participants reported ≥ 1 symptomatic hypoglycemic episode within the last 3months, and 5.5% participants reported ≥ 1 severe hypoglycemic episode within the last 6months. A less stringent individualized goal was set for participants aged ≥ 65years; they had the lowest incidence of ≥ 1 symptomatic hypoglycemic episode. Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring were used in 23.5% and 33.9% participants, respectively. Glycemic control was suboptimal; the low incidence of severe hypoglycemia suggests careful glycemic control, balancing benefits and risks, particularly in Japanese adults aged ≥ 65years with type 1 diabetes. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-021-00504-7.