The older population can benefit from automated insulin delivery systems despite the stereotype saying that “technology is harder for older adults”, new research has underscored.
A recent study from Washington State University and five other institutions have found that advanced diabetes technology employed in medical devices is safe and effective for use by older adults with type 1 diabetes.
Otherwise known as an artificial pancreas or closed-loop system, an automated insulin delivery (AID) system is a technology that helps people with type 1 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels by automatically adjusting insulin delivery based on real-time glucose readings from a continuous glucose monitor.
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This is done through a sensor which attaches to either the arm or belly and continuously monitors blood sugar levels and communicates that data to a wearable insulin pump.
Lead author Professor Naomi Chaytor said: “It’s a big change for people to use technology to manage their diabetes when many of them have used multiple daily injections for 30 years or more. There’s a stereotype that technology is harder for older adults, but they did quite well.”
Prior research has revealed that AID systems improve glucose control, making it easier for people with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition.
Older adults with type 1 diabetes have previously been underrepresented in previous trials for AID devices.
During this study, the team of researchers analysed technology usability among 78 older adults, and looked at how effective AID systems were at preventing hypoglycaemia among this population.
They compared the effectiveness of a hybrid closed loop system and a predictive low glucose suspend system against a non-automated sensor-augmented pump system.
As part of the trial, each participant used each device for 12 weeks, and in this time, they were regularly monitored by the research team.
The results have revealed that the participants were less at risk of hypoglycaemia when they were using the two automated systems compared to the non-automated system.
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Participants kept their blood sugar in the target range 74% of the time when using the hybrid closed-loop system and 67% when using the predictive low glucose system. This was compared to 66% when using the sensor-augmented pump, the study has reported.
According to the researchers, older adults did have to undergo training to learn how to use an AID system.
However, surveys have revealed that the participants were willing to learn and found them easy to use once they were shown how to operate automated devices.
Professor Chaytor said: “Onboarding took more time and effort in this population than it would be in younger populations, so it’s important for providers to understand that it may take some upfront work to get people really comfortable with the technology. Providers should plan for that but not be discouraged.”
This work is published in the journal NEJM Evidence.
