Dad and daughter, Randall and Emma Barker, were diagnosed at the same age (ten) and have a few other coincidences around their experiences with T1D. They have a close relationship and this week, they share their story.
The Barkers are here to talk about eye health – we get help from the American Diabetes Association's Dr. Laura Hieronymus to talk about treatment and prevention of complications, which Randall has. But we also talk about what it’s been like for Emma to watch her father live with type 1 and then be diagnosed herself and Randall shares his own feelings of guilt.. and pride. This is a good one.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Jeff Dachis founded One Drop in 2014, after his own type 1 diagnosis. Known for its sleek meter design and more recently for on-demand telehealth services, One Drop is moving into something new. Jeff shares how that includes what they’re calling a continuous health sensor. We’ll talk about what that term means, how it could help people with diabetes and what Jeff is still really passionate about.
More about One Drop: https://onedrop.today/blogs/press-releases/ada2022-cgm-biowearable-sensor-t2d
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Many of you tuned in virtually to EASD or maybe you were lucky enough to travel there! There was one talk at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes that really got my attention: the #dedoc° symposia “What we wish you knew — and why” which featured advocates speaking on topics that are relevant to people living with diabetes. The topic for this one is: Novel forms of online peer support developed during COVID; how did communities around the world stay connected?
#dedoc° was founded in 2012 by Bastian Hauck, who created the Twitter hashtag #dedoc to host weekly TweetChats for the German chapter of the Diabetes Online Community. It acted as a catalyst to grow a small group of diabetes bloggers into one of Europe’s strongest patient advocacy and peer support communities.
This is an excerpt from the symposium – you can watch the entire thing including the Q&A at the end – at www.dedoc.org/symposium.
Speakers:
Renza Scibilia, Diabetes Australia
Andrea Limbourg, France
Jeff Hitchcock, Children with Diabetes, USA
Salih Hendricks, South Africa
Tom Dean, UK, Twitter DiabetesChat
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
It’s In the News! This week’s top diabetes headlines and stories include: cybersecurity risk cited for some Medtronic pumps, Omnipod 5 gets European approval, new data about the Freestyle Libre and avoiding hospitalizations, the new T1D Index and more!
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days.
XX
In the news is brought to you by T1D Exchange! T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
XX
XX
potential cybersecurity risk for Medtronic MiniMed 600 Series Insulin Pump Systems. The FDA sent out an alert for multiple systems including the MiniMed 630 G and MiniMed 670G. They say this is a potential issue and that there have NOT been any reports of actually unauthorized access. Medtronic has issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction on their own website notifying users as well as providing recommended actions.
If unauthorized access occurs, the pump’s communication protocol could be compromised, which may cause the pump to deliver too much or too little insulin,” noted the FDA’s September 20 Cybersecurity alert.
On their website, Medtronic provides the Urgent Medical Device Correction, a list of model numbers impacted by the issue, and a multitude of frequently asked questions for device users. Within these resources, Medtronic notes the issue was identified through an internal review and, while the event meets the definition of a recall, users are not required to return their devices.
In a letter to users, which was signed by Chirag Tilara, vice president of Quality at Medtronic Diabetes, and Robert Vigersky, MD, chief medical officer at Medtronic Diabetes, the pair recommended all patients turn off the “Remote Bolus” feature on their pump if it is turned on, which is on by default. The letter also urged users to conduct any connection linking of devices in a nonpublic setting. Additional recommended precautions from Medtronic included keeping pump and connected system components within user control at all times, be attentive to pump notifications, alarms, and alerts, and immediately cancel any boluses you or your care partner did not initiate.
The FDA urged those with questions to reach out to Medtronic at 1-800-646-4633, option 1.
https://www.endocrinologynetwork.com/view/cybersecurity-risk-minimed-600-systems-alert-from-fda-medtronic
XX
Omnipod 5 gets the CE Mark, that’s European approval for individuals aged two years and older with type 1 diabetes. This comes as Insulet presents new studies at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220920005138/en/Insulet-Announces-CE-Mark-Approval-for-Omnipod%C2%AE-5-Automated-Insulin-Delivery-System
XX
Abbott says the Freestyle Libre system can help reduce diabetes-related hospitalizations. Data from the Real-World Evidence of Freestyle Libre (RELIEF) were presented this week. The retrospective study of the French national health claims database shows that the 5,933 people with Type 2 diabetes who were following a basal-only regimen and using the FreeStyle Libre system had 67% fewer ADE-related hospitalizations one year after initiating the FreeStyle Libre treatment.
The data also show a 75% reduction in hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening condition when glucose levels are too high for too long and ketone levels rise to dangerous levels in the blood, and a 44% reduction in admissions for severe hypoglycemia (low glucose levels).
Further, the study showed sustained reductions in hospitalizations over a two-year period of FreeStyle Libre system use, regardless of whether the patients were under the care of a diabetes specialist or a general healthcare practitioner.
https://www.mddionline.com/diabetes/can-abbotts-freestyle-libre-help-reduce-diabetes-related-hospitalizations
XX
A look at bone health and type 1 diabetes in teen girls. Small study herewith girls age 10-16.. found that the more sedentary had worse markers of bone health in imaging tests than girls without diabetes. When the groups had the same physical activity, no difference was seen regardless of diabetes. However, this is early research and further study is needed, the group cautions.
However, if further, rigorous studies confirm these findings, "physical activity is potentially a really effective means of improving bone quality in kids with type 1 diabetes."
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/981092
XX
Back to the news in a moment but first..
The T1D Exchange Registry is a research study conducted online over time, designed to foster innovation and improve the lives of people with T1D. The platform is open to both adults and children with T1D living in the U.S. Personal information remains confidential and participation is fully voluntary. Once enrolled, participants will complete annual surveys and have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on specific topics related to T1D. The registry aims to improve knowledge of T1D, accelerate the discovery and development of new treatments and technologies, and generate evidence to support policy or insurance changes that help the T1D community. By sharing opinions, experiences and data, patients can help advance meaningful T1D treatment, care and policy.
The registry is now available on the T1D Exchange website and is simple to navigate, mobile and user-friendly. For more information or to register, go to www.t1dregistry.org/stacey
XX
DRF, a global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, announces the launch of the Type 1 Diabetes Index (T1D Index). The T1D Index is a first-of-its-kind data simulation tool that measures the human and public health impact of the T1D crisis in every country across the globe. Until now, there have been wide gaps in the data about the incidence and impact of T1D. Leveraging data and insights from the T1D Index can help change the lives of people living with T1D by identifying attainable country-by-country interventions including timely diagnosis, accessible care and funding research that could lead to cures.
The T1D Index and accompanying research has been published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
T1D is an autoimmune condition and one of the fastest-growing chronic health conditions, impacting nearly nine million people across the globe. Certain factors like family history can increase risk, but it is not caused by diet or lifestyle. T1D causes the pancreas to make very little insulin or none at all—this means the human body cannot convert food into energy, which can lead to long-term complications including damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and even premature death. There is currently no cure for T1D.
"As a member of the T1D community, I know many are not as fortunate as I am to have the resources necessary to live a healthy and fulfilled life," Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., JDRF CEO, said. "This is why I am so proud that significant progress has been made to understand T1D's global impact through the T1D Index. We are calling on government and public health decision makers throughout the world to utilize the tool to identify and implement interventions that can change the trajectory of T1D."
JDRF collaborated with key partners and experts around the world to develop the T1D Index—using the results from a global survey of more than 500 endocrinologists and 400 publications to simulate the state of T1D globally and at the country level.
The Index uniquely illuminates the human burden of T1D by highlighting "missing people," which is the number of people who would still be alive today if they had not died early due to complications from T1D, and "healthy years lost," which represents time lost to ill-health, disability or early death from living with T1D.
Simulations from the T1D Index suggest that globally, as of 2022, there are more than 3.86 million "missing people" and an average of 32 "healthy years lost" to T1D per person, if diagnosed at age 10.
T1D presents a profound human, emotional and financial burden for those who live with it—and prevalence is on the rise. Simulations from the T1D Index have led to the identification of four key interventions that could change the current trajectory for T1D and its impact on people around the world:
Timely diagnosis: enabling better education and training for medical professionals to accurately diagnose T1D. If the global population has access to timely diagnosis from 2023, 668,000 more people could be alive in 2040.
Insulin and strips: creating barrier-free access to insulin and blood glucose testing strips. If the global population has access to insulin and testing strips from 2023, and coaching to self-manage the condition, 1.98 million more people could be alive in 2040.
Pumps and CGMs: ensuring everyone living with T1D has access to technology that automates glucose monitoring and insulin delivery. 673,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if everyone with T1D has access to the technology available from 2023.
Prevention and cures: making the case for further investment and research in emerging prevention, treatments and cures. 890,000 more people could be alive in 2040 if we find cures.
Once interventions are identified on the global and country level, the T1D Index encourages users to take action by sharing the data and findings with their networks and local decision makers, and connecting with other T1D advocates in their communities.
Additionally, the T1D Index shines a light on important statistics about the burden of T1D globally, including:
Since 2000, T1D prevalence has increased at four times the rate of global population growth.
The expected number of people living with T1D in 2040 will be 17.43 million.
The number of "missing people" in the year 2040 is projected to be 6.85 million.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-09-global-diabetes-index.htmlXX
XX
You may know the Inflation Reduction Act best for being the latest time an insulin price measure was NOT voted through. But supporters say there’s a lot here that will help patients save money, including those with diabetes.
We talk with Sarah Kaminer Bourland, Legislative Director of Patient for Affordable Drugs Now. She explains what this new plan will mean for those on and not on Medicare, debunk some of the talking points you might have heard and look ahead to what could be next for insulin pricing.
Share your story with P4AD: https://secure.everyaction.com/SvIaRhn3VEmVAkJ1ccQETA2
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
I started Diabetes Connections back in the summer of 2015. I'm not sure I had a number of episodes in mind when I kicked off the show, I just knew I wanted to make a podcast for and about the diabetes community. Thanks for tuning in all this time! For episode 500, I've turned hosting duties over to Cristina Frank, a TV news anchor who lives with type 1.
We talk about how the episodes come together, what's worked (and what hasn't) and what I might add to the show going forward. We also think about how the community has changed and why the highest praise I could take for this show is that it's authentic. Thanks, all!! -Stacey
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
When you’re thinking about new diabetes technology, sometimes your endo is right there with you, keeping up on the latest & greatest. But if they’re not, a new resource could help. Diabetes Wise Pro includes more than just pump and CGM specs.
Stacey talks to Dr. Korey Hood, the co founder of DiabetesWise, a website that launched a few years ago to help consumers make more informed decisions around diabetes tech. We’ll talk about why they launched this new effort, who it’s for and how it could even change the prescription process.
More info https://providers.diabeteswise.org/#/
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Check out our previous interviews with Dr. Hood: https://diabetes-connections.com/?s=korey+hood
Check out the T1D exchange: https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
We've got an update from Beta Bionics, makers of the iLet pump. This is the system that, among many other things, requires very little input from the user. They’re hoping this makes it accessible for more people. Stacey talks to to interim CEO Martha Goldberg Aronson. She shares more information about recent studies regarding the Ilet, news about their submission to the FDA and a look into the future for this long-awaited piece of technology.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
The news is brought to you by The World's Worst Diabetes Mom: Real Life Stories of Parenting a Child With Type 1 Diabetes. Winner of best new non-fiction at the American Book Fest and named a Book Authority best parenting book. Available in paperback, eBook or audio book at amazon.
XX
People who recover from a mild case of COVID-19 appear to have an increased risk for subsequent new-onset type 2 diabetes… but not other types of diabetes. This is from a big new study in Germany. It lines up with previous studies of more seriously ill patients with COVID 19 who had increased rates of type 2 in the months following. This was more than 35-thousand patients – no prior history of diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 increased by 28-percent if the person had COVID, again even a mild case. The researchers say anyone who tested positive for COVID should be aware and get screened for diabetes in the months and years following.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/970600
XX
Big new study that – interestingly – talks about the CGM as a telehealth device. It looked at how doctors continued to care for children with type 1 before and after the first year of the COVID pandemic. The use of CGMs increased significantly among those with non-commercial insurance… from 24 percent in 2019 to 35 percent by the end of 2020.
Another finding in this same study.. those with higher A1Cs, racial minorities, and those with non-commercial insurance were more likely to have high rates of DKA. But the implementation of telehealth and CGMs increased parental oversight which resulted in better care at home and lower than expected hospitalization rates. I want to dig a little deeper here because a lower hospitalization rate during the first year of the COVID pandemic overall.. was found to be tied to a lot of fear about going to a hospital during that time.
https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/telehealth-helped-maintain-type-1-diabetes-care-among-kids-during-pandemic
XX
Swiss pump maker Ypsomed announces the software they’ll use for their automated insulin delivery. Ypsomed will partner with CamDiab’s CamAPS app. The launch will start in select major countries in Europe, with other territories to follow over the course of 2022. This includes a hybrid closed loop – like Omnipod 5 and Control IQ - as well as smartphone control.. it’s compatible with Dexcom’s G6. It’ll start on Android then roll out on iOS.. Ypsomed is partnering with Lilly to come to the US – we’ve had them on the show before talking about this. They hope to submit to the FDA this year.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/ypsomed-partners-with-camdiab-on-smartphone-based-automated-insulin-delivery/
XX
The FDA is due to make a decision on Teplizumab by August 17th. This is a drug that has been shown to delay type 1 diabetes. Last year the FDA turned down Provention Bio, asking for a resubmission with more information. The company is also running the phase 3 PROTECT trial of teplizumab. That’s in newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes patients. They hope to expanding the indications for the drug.
https://pharmaphorum.com/news/fda-sets-august-decision-date-for-proventions-type-1-diabetes-drug/
XX
More study underway into the tuberculosis vaccine as a treatment for type 1. This is Dr. Denise Faustman’s lab – they’re recruiting 150 teen with type 1 for pediatric clinical trials of the shots. Faustman’s work is controversial because her studies have been very small and many experts say they don’t show significant improvement. But Faustman says the vaccine appears to help patients with Type 1 diabetes by altering their immune system and that even though no one in her trials is off of insulin, there is improvement.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/21/metro/could-100-year-old-vaccine-treat-type-1-diabetes-mgh-researchers-are-working-find-out/
XX
If you’re watching live, today is the last day to back the Kickstarter for Type 1 The Movie. We talked about this on last week’s podcast episode – Noah Averbach Katz is an actor who lives with type 1 and is making a movie where diabetes is front and center. Since Noah and his wife are on Star Trek Discovery, that community has jumped in to really amplify this. It’s been great to see and he’s well over his goal. If you’re watching or hearing this after March 23rd, you can follow the link anyway to stay up to date on the project. I gave and I’m excited to see how it all turns out!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/noahak/type-1?ref=thanks-tweet
XX
On this week’s long format episode we’re going on a deep dive about stem cell research with the folks at Viactye. They’re working on two fronts now.. encapsulation AND gene editing with the people at CRISPR. Next week you’ll hear from JDRF about the new non-profit insulin they’ve backed. Why will this effort from Civica RX be different? We’ll talk about it.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!
Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!
Sign up for our newsletter here
-----
Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----
Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
The news is brought to you by The World's Worst Diabetes Mom: Real Life Stories of Parenting a Child With Type 1 Diabetes. Winner of best new non-fiction at the American Book Fest and named a Book Authority best parenting book. Available in paperback, eBook or audio book at amazon.
XX
Non-profit drugmaker Civica expects to launch lower-cost versions of insulin in the United States. Civica said it would produce three copycat versions of insulin, and make them available at roughly the same price for all customers, once approved by U.S. health regulators.
The company's products, which would be available as both vials and pre-filled pens, are biosimilars to Sanofi Lantus, Eli Lilly's Humalog and Novo Nordisk's Novolog. The maximum price would be no more than $30 per vial and no more than $55 for a box of five pen cartridges. Civica, which was launched by seven health groups to make essential medicines available at affordable prices, expects to file for regulatory approval in 2023 with products available in 2024.
https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/civica-aims-to-launch-low-cost-insulin-in-us-by-2024-100701260/
XX
Tandem has issued an urgent field safety notice. This in Europe ONLY and is for the t-slim X2 pumps with Basil IQ technology. According to the notice, a user could inadvertently program and confirm a basal rate with an incorrectly placed decimal point. That could mean giving too much or too little insulin. Tandem says you can continue to use the pump after confirming basal rates are correct. A software update is coming. Again, this is Europe only and this is NOT an issue for any pumps on Control IQ
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/tandem-diabetes-warns-on-some-tslim-x2-insulin-pumps/?fbclid=IwAR0dV04W49iQ1LavAIQMkpleif77XiVqKq7ZrhUiFTrpylem-ZHIByRN8nw
XX
Interesting new potential treatment for diabetic retinopathy. Retinopathy happens when the disease damages tiny blood vessels in the eye, reducing blood flow to nerve cells in the retina. Treatment can be injections or laser surgery. These scientists are looking at photo-bio-modulation – which involves irradiating the eye with far-red to near-infrared light. This increases oxygen-rich blood flow to the retinal cells. They use an LED contact lens to get the light exactly where its needed. No human tests yet.. so it’s a far way off.
https://newatlas.com/medical/led-contact-lens-diabetes-blindness/
XX
I don’t have much of an update about diabetes aid to Ukraine except that it’s still very much needed. If you’re so inclined, we’ll link up where you can donate. One partnership I didn’t mention last week is one between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, a group called Direct Relief, and the International Diabetes Federation. They are working closely together to understand where supplies are short, secure donations within and deliver them quickly to where they’re needed. Lots of links to vetted organizations in the show notes and here on our fb page.
https://sparearose.org/
https://www.jdrf.org/blog/2022/03/02/helping-the-diabetes-community-in-ukraine/
XX
The ordinary blood pressure medication verapamil continues to show benefits in treating type 1 diabetes. Patients taking verapamil required less insulin two years after their type 1 diagnosis and also showed evidence of other surprising benefits. These researchers caution that their study is small and needs to be confirmed by larger clinical studies. There are a few other going on right now.. but the preservation of some beta cell function is very promising.
https://www.uab.edu/news/research/item/12670-an-oral-medication-shows-benefits-treating-type-1-diabetes-for-at-least-two-years-after-diagnosis
XX
Two pieces of good news about insurance coverage. Our friends in Ontario, Canada will finally get CGM coverage. Starting March 14th the Assistive Deices Program will cover funding for a CGM and related supplies for people with type 1 .
https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/people-with-type-1-diabetes-to-get-government-funding-for-real-time-continuous-glucose-monitors-5126997
XX
And in the US military families will have pharmacy coverage for Abbott’s Free Style Libre 2 under Tricare Health. This should make the Flash Glucose Monitor available with zero copay to Tricare members. It begins next month.
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/military-members-families-and-retirees-get-simplified-access-to-abbott-s-freestyle-libre-2-system-through-tricare-
XX
Bringing some awareness of how common a misdiagnosis is when an adult has type 1 diabetes.. professional golfer JJ Spaun is speaking up. He was diagnosed with type 2 but after a couple of years of struggling he found the right doctor and the right diagnosis. He next plays in the Players Championship this weekend we’ll see if we can spot the Libre on his arm.
https://www.golfchannel.com/news/after-diabetes-misdiagnosis-jj-spaun-feeling-new-person
XX
Our long format episode this week is all about Pixar’s Turning Red. There are two background characters in the movie with diabetes and we’ve got the behind the scenes story why.
Next week: why the star trek community pushed a T1D kickstarter campaign over the top.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.