Skip to content

Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Glucose Variability

Biobehavioral Mechanisms of Glucose Variability

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01835964
Enrollment
30
Registered
2013-04-19
Start date
2013-04-30
Completion date
2014-02-28
Last updated
2023-07-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1

Keywords

Glucose Variability (GV), Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), Average Daily Risk Range (ADRR), Self Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG)

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate how blood sugar changes in response to insulin and what the body does to counter-act low blood sugar in people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Insulin sensitivity is the term used to describe blood sugar changes within the body in response to insulin. Greater understanding of insulin sensitivity, particularly how the body responds to low blood sugar, will help us to better predict how blood sugar levels will change. All subjects will receive a liquid mixed-meal and will have their blood sugar response monitored in order to study insulin sensitivity. All subjects will receive additional insulin injections that are given to cause a low blood sugar in order to understand how the body responds to a low blood sugar. All subjects will be closely monitored during the time the insulin is given, by frequent checks of blood sugar and constant medical and nursing supervision. Details of the visits, tests and procedures are described below. During this study, the study team will ask that subjects to use their own insulin pump and own glucometer. Subjects will need to use the same glucometer for the entire study. Subjects will be provided 1 box of strips. Subjects will be required to use lispro (Humalog) insulin 2-3 days before your inpatient admission which will be provided free of charge.

Detailed description

Glucose variability (GV) in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is increasingly viewed as a primary marker of glycemic control, responsible, along with chronic hyperglycemia reflected by HbA1c, for diabetes complications. In this study, we propose to investigate: (i) the time course of deterioration of physiological glucoregulatory mechanisms leading to increased GV, and (ii) the association of GV with metabolic and behavioral factors such as insulin sensitivity and treatment adequacy. Our primary hypothesis is: Glucose variability in T1DM is triggered by behavioral events (e.g. meals, insulin injection, exercise) that challenge the metabolic system. The timing and the magnitude of the behavioral challenges, and the ability of the metabolic mechanisms to absorb these challenges, determine the magnitude of GV. This process develops in a certain time frame, and can be accelerated by inadequate treatment, or attenuated by precise timing and dosing of bio-behavioral control. This study will use a combination of treatment records, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and an inpatient admission to clarify the relationships between behavioral challenges to the metabolic system, physiological glucoregulatory mechanisms, and GV. This study will test the following hypotheses: 1. Suboptimal treatment behavior, e.g. insulin mistiming (early/late meal insulin) or unbalanced insulin (higher basal/bolus ratio), is correlated with higher GV and repeated hypo- and hyperglycemia; this relationship is mediated by a patients' insulin sensitivity; 2. A metabolic challenge (e.g. consecutive sequence of hypo- and hyperglycemia), will push the metabolic system into a transient super-critical state characterized by increased GV as defined by the Variability Grid Analysis (VGA) and the Average Daily Risk Range (ADRR), which will persist for several days beyond the discontinuation of the challenge.

Interventions

PROCEDUREGlucose Variability Observation

On the morning of \ Day 17 for a metabolic challenge involving a standardized liquid mixed meal intended to raise the blood glucose approximately 150 mg/dl, followed four hours later by the induction of hypoglycemia with intravenous insulin administration with goal glucose of 55 mg/dl. After carbohydrate rescue, the subject will receive a meal and will be monitored until glucose is stable above 80 mg/dl.

Sponsors

DexCom, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
University of Virginia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Clinical diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus for ≥2 years. For an individual to be enrolled at least one criterion from each list must be met. * Criteria for documented hyperglycemia (at least 1 must be met): * Fasting Blood Glucose (BG) ≥126 mg/dL * 2h Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL * Hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5% * BG ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms * History of hyperglycemia consistent with diabetes * Criteria for requiring insulin at diagnosis (1 must be met): * required insulin at diagnosis and continually thereafter * no insulin at diagnosis but upon investigator review likely needed insulin (significant hyperglycemia that did not respond to oral agents) and insulin eventually required and used continually * no insulin at diagnosis but continued hyperglycemia, positive islet cell antibodies - consistent with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and insulin eventually required and used continually * Use of an insulin pump for at least six months prior to the study. * Using a bolus calculator with pre-defined parameters for carbohydrate ratio(s), and insulin sensitivity factor(s). * Signed informed consent. * Age ≥21 and \<65 years old. * HbA1c ≤10% as measured with DCA 2000 or equivalent device. * Willingness to use lispro (Humalog) insulin for metabolic challenge admission. * Willingness to perform self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) \>4 times/day. * Willingness to avoid consumption of acetaminophen-containing products during the study. * Willingness to perform 4 days of outpatient assessment with timed, prepackaged meals and snacks, and \>7 SMBGs.

Exclusion criteria

* Uncontrolled arterial hypertension (resting blood pressure \>160/100 mm Hg). * Impaired hepatic function measured as alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase ≥3 times the upper reference limit. * Impaired renal function: glomerular filtration rate (calc GFR) of \<60 ml/min/1.73 m2. * Diabetic ketoacidosis in the past 6 months * Conditions which may increase the risk of induced hypoglycemia such as: * uncontrolled coronary artery disease * stable or unstable angina * episode of chest pain of cardiac etiology with documented Electrocardiography changes or positive troponin levels * positive stress test * catheterization with coronary blockages \>50% * congestive heart failure * significant cardiac arrhythmia * history of a cerebrovascular event * seizure disorder * syncope * adrenal insufficiency * hypoglycemia-induced migraine within the past year * neurological disease * Diabetic complications altering insulin kinetics or food absorption * Pregnancy, breast-feeding or intention of becoming pregnant. * Mental incapacity, unwillingness or language barriers precluding adequate understanding or cooperation. * Psychiatric disorders that would interfere with study tasks (e.g. inpatient psychiatric treatment within 6 months prior to enrollment). * skin condition that prevents sensor placement on the abdomen or arm. * Difficulties to operate Continuous Glucose Monitor. * Uncontrolled thyroid disease: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)\>10. * Bleeding diathesis or dyscrasia. * Alcohol or drug abuse within 1 year of enrollment by patient history. * Allergy to components of the CGM sensor. * Blood donation \>473 ml in last 56 days * Prior noncompliance with study procedures. * Hematocrit outside of the normal range. * Magnesium \<1.6 mg/dl. * Potassium \<3.4 mmol/L. * Active enrollment in another clinical trial * Allergy to or intolerance of insulin lispro (Humalog) * Anticoagulant therapy other than aspirin. * Oral steroids. * Use of acetaminophen-containing medication that cannot be. * Use of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus medications: including metformin, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) inhibitors, glucagonlike Peptide (GLP-1) agonists and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. * Unwillingness to withhold Pramlintide for the duration of the study intervention.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variability3 daysGlucose variability in the days leading to and following the challenge was assessed by computing Low Blood Glucose Index (LBGI) on daily self-monitoring of BG (SMBG) readings. Low LBGI values correspond to lower glucose variability associated with hypoglycemic risk. LBGI values lie between 0 and 100

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Subjects will be recruited from the Center's recruitment database.

Pre-assignment details

Subject will be trained & wear a blinded CGM for 2 days. Data will be collected about diabetes management including blood glucose data from SMBG & CGM values along with insulin pump records throughout the 4 wk observation period. Subjects will then be admitted to the study unit for a metabolic challenge.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Glucose Variability Observation
The study procedures will start after CGM device training & practice using the blinded CGM for 2 days and will continue over the course of \ 33 days. The study team will collect data about diabetes management including blood glucose data from fingerstick and CGM values along with insulin pump records throughout the 4 week observation period. Insulin sensitivity will be evaluated at home with predetermined meals' carbohydrate count. At the mid-study point glucose variability will be simulated in clinic with a metabolic challenge (liquid mixed meal) followed 4 hours later by the induction of hypoglycemia with an intravenous insulin injection. Insulin sensitivity, as well as glucagon and epinephrine counterregulatory responses will be evaluated to be related to overall Glucose Variability. Glucose Variability Observation: On the morning of \ Day 17 for a metabolic challenge involving a standardized liquid mixed meal, followed four hours later by the induction of hypoglycemia.
28
Total28

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicGlucose Variability Observation
Age, Continuous43 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11
Region of Enrollment
United States
28 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
13 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
15 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 30
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 30

Outcome results

Primary

Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variability

Glucose variability in the days leading to and following the challenge was assessed by computing Low Blood Glucose Index (LBGI) on daily self-monitoring of BG (SMBG) readings. Low LBGI values correspond to lower glucose variability associated with hypoglycemic risk. LBGI values lie between 0 and 100

Time frame: 3 days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEDIAN)
Low Hypoglycemia Exposure (Group 1)Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypre challenge0.51 score on a scale
Low Hypoglycemia Exposure (Group 1)Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypost challenge0.97 score on a scale
Medium Hypoglycemia Exposure - Group 2Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypre challenge1.62 score on a scale
Medium Hypoglycemia Exposure - Group 2Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypost challenge1.9 score on a scale
High Hypoglycemia Exposure - Group 3Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypre challenge3.71 score on a scale
High Hypoglycemia Exposure - Group 3Change Between Pre and Post Challenge Glucose Variabilitypost challenge5.42 score on a scale

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026