Using insulin pump with a remote-control system in young patients with diabetes improves glycemic control and enhances patient satisfaction

BACKGROUND: Insulin delivery triggered by a remote control is an advanced feature offered by newer insulin pump systems. These remote-integrated pump systems might further improve glycemic control and patient satisfaction. This study aims at assessing the effects of advanced insulin pump system on patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: The prospective, observational study in two centers addressed patients on multiple daily injection (MDI) switching to an integrated pump system (primary: adolescents and young adults, secondary: school-children). Treatment and patient satisfaction parameters were recorded at baseline and at two visits at 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were analyzed; primary n = 24 (mean-age 16) and secondary n = 14 (mean-age 9). From baseline to visit2, the mean decrease of HbA1c was 1.09% (p = 0.00009) and 0.79% (p = 0.09) for the primary and secondary group, respectively. Patient satisfaction rate was favorable. Exploratory analyses revealed patients favoring the use of the remote control achieved best reductions in HbA1c (p = 0.0174). Safety was encouraging with no adverse events in the period from visit1 to visit2. CONCLUSIONS: Switching young T1DM patients from MDI to a remote control-integrated pump system achieved a reductions in HbA1c and insulin dose. Positive attitude towards remote operating enhanced these effects. Patient satisfaction has markedly improved. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s40842-019-0081-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.