Medha N Munshi1, Christine Slyne2, Alissa R Segal3, Nora Saul2, Courtney Lyons2, Katie Weinger4. 1. Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115. Electronic address: medha.munshi@joslin.harvard.edu. 2. Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215. 3. Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215; Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, 179 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115. 4. Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA, 02215; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115.
Abstract
AIMS: Hemoglobin A1C is universally used as a marker for glycemic control and to establish glycemic goals in patients with diabetes. In the older population, experts recommend liberating A1C goals to decrease the risk of hypoglycemia. However, it's not clear which A1C level is optimal for this purpose. This study's aim was to understand the relationship between A1C levels and risk of hypoglycemia. METHODS: In a prospective study, we performed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on older adults on insulin. Hypoglycemia duration and A1C were measured at baseline while patients were on multiple insulin injections, and again after de-intensification to once-a-day basal insulin with non-insulin agents. RESULTS: We assessed 65 patients; mean age76±6years with on average 3.7±1.3 insulin injections/day. At baseline, 26% of the patients had A1C<7% (53mmol/mol), 42% between 7.1% and 8% (54-64mmol/mol), 21% between 8.1% and 9% (65-75mmol/mol), and 11% >9% (76mmol/mol). The duration of hypoglycemia (<70mg/dl, <60mg/dl, <50mg/dl) was not different between the A1c groups, regardless of treatment intensity (multiple insulin injections or once-a-day-basal insulin with non-insulin agents). CONCLUSIONS: A1C levels are not associated with hypoglycemia risk in older population with type-2 diabetes on insulin therapy. Higher A1C goals do not protect against hypoglycemia.
AIMS: Hemoglobin A1C is universally used as a marker for glycemic control and to establish glycemic goals in patients with diabetes. In the older population, experts recommend liberating A1C goals to decrease the risk of hypoglycemia. However, it's not clear which A1C level is optimal for this purpose. This study's aim was to understand the relationship between A1C levels and risk of hypoglycemia. METHODS: In a prospective study, we performed continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on older adults on insulin. Hypoglycemia duration and A1C were measured at baseline while patients were on multiple insulin injections, and again after de-intensification to once-a-day basal insulin with non-insulin agents. RESULTS: We assessed 65 patients; mean age76±6years with on average 3.7±1.3 insulin injections/day. At baseline, 26% of the patients had A1C<7% (53mmol/mol), 42% between 7.1% and 8% (54-64mmol/mol), 21% between 8.1% and 9% (65-75mmol/mol), and 11% >9% (76mmol/mol). The duration of hypoglycemia (<70mg/dl, <60mg/dl, <50mg/dl) was not different between the A1c groups, regardless of treatment intensity (multiple insulin injections or once-a-day-basal insulin with non-insulin agents). CONCLUSIONS:A1C levels are not associated with hypoglycemia risk in older population with type-2 diabetes on insulin therapy. Higher A1C goals do not protect against hypoglycemia.
Authors: Boris Draznin; Vanita R Aroda; George Bakris; Gretchen Benson; Florence M Brown; RaShaye Freeman; Jennifer Green; Elbert Huang; Diana Isaacs; Scott Kahan; Jose Leon; Sarah K Lyons; Anne L Peters; Priya Prahalad; Jane E B Reusch; Deborah Young-Hyman Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2022-01-01 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: Andrew R Zullo; Matthew S Duprey; Robert J Smith; Roee Gutman; Sarah D Berry; Medha N Munshi; David D Dore Journal: Diabetes Obes Metab Date: 2021-10-27 Impact factor: 6.577
Authors: Richard E Pratley; Julio Rosenstock; Simon R Heller; Alan Sinclair; Robert J Heine; Jacek Kiljański; Cynthia S Brusko; Ran Duan; Andreas Festa Journal: J Diabetes Sci Technol Date: 2018-06-12