A study evaluated the effect of using the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ technology on glycemic status in individuals with type 2 diabetes who switched from multiple daily insulin injections. The 12-month retrospective analysis utilized data from the Tandem t:connect web application and customer relationship management database, encompassing individuals covered by commercial insurers, Medicaid, and Medicare.
The primary outcome was the proportion of individuals who met the recommended Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measure. Achievement of a glucose management indicator of less than 7.0% was included as a secondary outcome. Changes in glycemic outcomes and the proportion of individuals meeting the national threshold were analyzed.
This US-based, retrospective analysis evaluated changes in glycemic status over 12 months among individuals with type 2 diabetes who initiated therapy with the Control-IQ system following therapy with multiple daily insulin injections. Uploaded glycemic information between January 15, 2020, and March 14, 2024, was obtained from the Tandem t:connect web application.
Baseline patient characteristics were obtained from the Tandem customer relationship management database. Patient consent to the use of their data for research purposes was provided as part of their onboarding to Tandem when initiating their t:connect account. Institutional review board approval was not sought for this retrospective analysis.
The analysis included 1737 individuals with type 2 diabetes who had baseline HbA1c data. Following initiation of Control-IQ, the number of individuals who met the measure increased from 755 to 1545 at 12 months. The number of individuals who achieved a glucose management indicator of less than 7% increased from 282 to 678.
The number of individuals with HbA1c greater than 9.0% at baseline decreased from 514 to 10 at 12 months. A significant reduction in glucose management indicator from baseline HbA1c was observed in the full cohort during the first 2 weeks of Control-IQ use, and this improvement was sustained throughout the observation period.
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In this retrospective analysis, the transition from multiple daily insulin injections to Control-IQ resulted in notable reductions in glucose management indicator from baseline HbA1c that were sustained over the 12-month observation period across all payer groups. They offer valuable insights for payers and providers from quality-improvement and population-health perspectives.
The use of Control-IQ was associated with a significantly higher percentage of individuals achieving the goals for in-control diabetes across all payer types. The study’s results demonstrate the effectiveness of Control-IQ use in improving glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The study had some limitations, including the lack of detailed information about patient characteristics and the potential for discordance between HbA1c and glucose management indicator measurements. However, the study’s large sample size and real-world longitudinal data provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of Control-IQ in improving glycemic control.
Journalists on the scene noted that the National Committee for Quality Assurance recently included the glucose management indicator as a surrogate for HbA1c in its diabetes-related measures. The glucose management indicator is calculated using the glucose values captured during at least 14 days of continuous glucose monitoring use and provides an estimate of the HbA1c level.
More information about efforts to prevent and manage diabetes can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. They also provide information about diabetes care.
