Technological Advances in Glucose Management in Older Adults

Hypoglycemia is a major and often devastating complication of T1D in the elderly. CGM has been shown to reduce the risk for hypoglycemia in adults with T1D including some more functional patients over 65 years old. However, the Medicare population is heterogeneous and may have age-related clinical and functional impairments that can impact self-care. These patients will require additional targeted guidance and support to fully realize the potential benefits of CGM. To address these age-specific barriers which could limit the effective use of CGM, in our planned RCT (Specific Aim 1) the use of CGM will be coupled with the DMP (Diabetes Management Platform), a tablet-based technology platform ( termed enhanced CGM (eCGM)). The CGM, insulin delivery, and activity data uploaded from the DMP will be analyzed by the clinical decision support system (CDS), which will provide insulin dosing recommendations to the study physicians, who will then accept or reject changes in therapy. The use of the DMP is expected to help the less technologically proficient Medicare patients to derive benefit from CGM. Specific Aim 2 will involve extensive mixed methods research (including semi-structured interviews of patients and caregivers) directed at making an in-depth assessment of barriers to the use of diabetes technology in older adults. This investigation will provide the evidence-base for future improvements in both the technology and clinical approach to the training of older adults and their caregivers. Specific Aim 3 will involve a cost-effectiveness analysis of the technology system (CGM with DMP = enhanced CGM \[eCGM\]) used in the trial as well as quality of life measures, providing a foundation for decision-making on coverage.