Glycemic control status, diabetes management patterns, and clinical characteristics of adults with type 1 diabetes in Japan: Study of Adults’ Glycemia in T1DM subanalysis

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes is rare in the general Japanese population, but becoming more common in adults with increased longevity owing to advancements in treatment. We aimed to examine the current state of glycemic control and diabetes management using real-world data on Japanese adults with type 1 diabetes in different age groups. This was a subanalysis of Japanese participants from a multinational, cross-sectional, observational study of adults with type 1 diabetes aged\u2009≥\u200926 years conducted in 2018 (Study of Adults’ Glycemia in T1DM). Glycemic control achievement rate and goal setting, incidence of hypoglycemia, and diabetes management of individuals aged 26‒44 years, 45‒64 years, and\u2009≥\u200965 years were summarized. The data on 528 participants were analyzed. The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value was 7.8% (61.3 mmol/mol). Of the participants, 25.8% achieved an HbA1c level of\u2009<\u20097.0% (26–44 years, 33.7%; 45‒64 years, 18.9%; and\u2009≥\u200965 years, 24.3%). In total, 71.4% participants reported\u2009≥\u20091 symptomatic hypoglycemic episode within the last 3 months, and 5.5% participants reported\u2009≥\u20091 severe hypoglycemic episode within the last 6 months. A less stringent individualized goal was set for participants aged\u2009≥\u200965 years; they had the lowest incidence of\u2009≥\u20091 symptomatic hypoglycemic episode. Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring were used in 23.5% and 33.9% participants, respectively. Glycemic control was suboptimal; the low incidence of severe hypoglycemia suggests careful glycemic control, balancing benefits and risks, particularly in Japanese adults aged\u2009≥\u200965 years with type 1 diabetes.