Patient-reported outcomes in studies of diabetes technology: What matters

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Dec;26 Suppl 7(Suppl 7):59-73. doi: 10.1111/dom.15858. Epub 2024 Aug 31.

Abstract

In recent years, diabetes technologies have revolutionized the care of people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Emerging evidence suggests that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can experience similar benefits from these advances in technology. While glycaemic outcomes are often a primary focus, the lived experience of the person with diabetes is equally important. In this review, we describe the impact of diabetes technologies on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). We highlight that most of the published studies investigated PROMs as secondary outcomes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems may have an important role in improving PROMs in individuals with T1D, which may be driven by the prevention or proactive management of hypoglycaemia. In people with T2D, continuous glucose monitoring may also have an important role in improving PROMs, particularly in those treated with insulin therapy. The impact of insulin pumps on PROMs seems positive in T1D, while there is limited evidence in T2D. Studies of hybrid closed-loop therapies suggest increased treatment satisfaction, improved quality of life and decreased diabetes-related distress in T1D, but it is unclear whether these benefits are because of a 'class-effect' or individual systems. We conclude that PROMs deserve a more central role in trials and clinical practice, and we discuss directions for future research.

Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring; continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion; insulin pump therapy; patient reported outcomes; type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / therapy
  • Glycemic Control / methods
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / prevention & control
  • Hypoglycemic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Infusion Systems*
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life*

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Blood Glucose