Skip to content

Circadian Mechanisms, Glucose, and CV Risks in T1D

Circadian Mechanisms of Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Risk in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06624046
Enrollment
100
Registered
2024-10-02
Start date
2025-03-13
Completion date
2029-08-31
Last updated
2026-06-30

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

Conditions

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Keywords

sleep, cardiovascular disease risk, glycemic control

Brief summary

People with type 1 diabetes are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). Short and irregular sleep have been associated with cardiovascular risk in this population. Improving sleep regularity has been associated with improved glycemic markers however mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity improves metabolic and cardiovascular health is not known. The investigators propose to conduct a mechanistic study using a sleep stability manipulation. This proposal will advance the understanding of mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity influences glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in T1D.

Detailed description

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is a leading cause of death in T1D, contributing to 40% of mortality. Sleep is recognized by both the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association as a critical health behavior to maintain glycemic control and reduce CVD risk. Short and/or irregular sleep have been associated with reduced glycemic control and non-dipping blood pressure in T1D, both of which are predictors of CV events. Emerging data suggest that behavioral sleep interventions targeting short or irregular sleep led to improved glycemic parameters. However, little is known about the mechanism by which improving sleep duration and/or regularity improves glycemic control and reduces CV risk in T1D. The investigators and others have shown that people with T1D often experience poor sleep health, including inadequate sleep duration, sleep irregularity, and poor sleep quality. The goals of this study are to examine the mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity through behavioral sleep intervention affects glycemic control and CVD risks in T1D adults. The investigators propose to extend our previous research by conducting a mechanistic study using a sleep stability manipulation. The investigators hypothesize that sleep stability impacts glycemic control and CV outcomes by improving circadian regulation. The investigators will conduct a 4-week behavioral sleep stability intervention in 100 T1D adults with irregular sleep, utilizing a sleep pre/post design. Circadian regulation will be assessed by dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO), melatonin metabolite amplitude (overnight urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels), actigraphy-derived rest-activity rhythm, endothelial cell CLOCK gene mRNA expression, and known zeitgebers of the central and peripheral circadian clocks (light exposure, meal timing). Main glycemic outcomes will be assessed by CGM, A1C, and assessment of insulin sensitivity. Main CV outcomes will include 24h blood pressure and endothelial FMD and other secondary vascular measures (pulse wave velocity, carotid intima media thickness, and echocardiographic parameters). Sleep will be objectively recorded. All parameters will be measured at baseline and end of intervention. This proposal will advance the understanding of mechanisms by which improving sleep regularity influences glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in T1D.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALSleep stability intervention

The sleep stability intervention will consist of three theory-based intervention components our team has developed and used in prior interventions: 1) self-monitoring using a wearable sleep tracker (Fitbit). This is well-liked by participants and increases awareness of their sleep goals. 2) Accountability coaching via weekly check-ins and daily monitoring of participants' wearable sleep tracking data and a coaching protocol.

Sponsors

University of Illinois at Chicago
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Single arm, pretest, post-test design using a sleep stability intervention

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adults 18-50 years with a clinical diagnosis of T1D for at least one year * Report habitual sleep irregularity ≥1 hour/week * Desire to improve sleep, and own a smartphone (Android or iPhone)

Exclusion criteria

* Self-reported A1C within the past 6 months ≥10% * insomnia symptoms defined as Insomnia Severity Index score ≥15 * history of restless leg syndrome * history of severe hypoglycemia (defined as hypoglycemic episode that results in loss of consciousness, seizure, or requiring emergency room visit or hospitalization) within the past 6 months * rotating shift or night work or routinely sleeping after 3 AM. * use of sleep medications/aids, significant medical comorbidities (such as heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring oxygen, active treatment for cancer, on renal replacement therapy \[dialysis\]) * depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 8 \[PHQ-8\] score ≥15) * history of stroke with neurological deficits * pregnant, breast feeding, or planning pregnancy, as sleep and glucose are known to change during pregnancy and breastfeeding. * Allergy to lidocaine Participants who passed the first screen by phone will be scheduled for a consenting visit at UIC

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Glycemic statusFrom enrollment to week 12Continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
Glycemic controlFrom enrollment to week 12Hemoglobin A1C
Insulin sensitivityFrom enrollment to week 12Insulin sensitivity

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Circadian regulation DLMOenrollment to week 12dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO)
Circadian regulation MelatoninEnrollment to week 12Melatonin metabolite amplitude
Circadian regulation actigraphyenrollment to week 12actigraphy-derived rest activity rhythm
Circadian regulation CLOCK geneenrollment to week 12endothelial cell CLOCK gene mRNA expression
Circadian regulation lightenrollment to week 12light exposure
Circadian regulation mealsenrollment to week 12Meal timing
Cardiovascular outcome blood pressureenrollment to week 1224 hour blood pressure
Cardiovascular outcome endothelial functionenrollment to week 12endothelial flow-mediated dilation
Cardiovascular outcome arterial stiffnessenrollment to week 12pulse wave velocity
Cardiovascular outcome echocardiogramenrollment to week 12echocardiogram
Cardiovascular outcome CIMTenrollment to week 12carotid intima lining thickness (CIMT)

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTPamela Martyn-Nemeth, PhD
pmartyn@uic.edu312-996-7903
CONTACTSirimon Reutrakul, MD
sreutrak@uic.edu312-996-6060

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 1, 2026