Time in Range for Closed-Loop Systems versus Standard of Care during Physical Exercise in People with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare time in range (TIR) (70–180 mg/dL (3.9–10.0 mmol/L)) between fully closed-loop systems (CLS) and standard of care (including hybrid systems) during physical exercise in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A systematic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ISI Web of Science from January 1950 until January 2020. Randomized controlled trials including studies with different CLS were compared against standard of care in people with T1D. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model and restricted maximum likelihood estimation method. Six randomized controlled trials involving 153 participants with T1D of all age groups were included. Due to crossover test designs, studies were included repeatedly (a–d) if CLS or physical exercise interventions were different. Applying this methodology increased the comparisons to a total number of 266 participants. TIR was higher with an absolute mean difference (AMD) of 6.18%, 95% CI: 1.99 to 10.38% in favor of CLS. In a subgroup analysis, the AMD was 9.46%, 95% CI: 2.48% to 16.45% in children and adolescents while the AMD for adults was 1.07% 95% CI: −0.81% to 2.96% in favor of CLS. In this systematic review and meta-analysis CLS moderately improved TIR in comparison to standard of care during physical exercise in people with T1D. This effect was particularly pronounced for children and adolescents showing that the use of CLS improved TIR significantly compared to standard of care.