Glycemic Control and Osteohealth in Adults Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Bone damage is a frequently overlooked complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but significantly increases the risk of fractures as early as childhood. Fractures in individuals with T1D increase the risk of delayed healing, postoperative complications, loss of autonomy, reduced quality of life and even mortality. The pathophysiology of bone alterations in T1D probably differs from that of primary osteoporosis. Studies show lower bone mineral density in T1D, but this is not sufficient to fully explain the risk of fractures. T1D is also characterized by low bone remodeling and altered bone microarchitecture. Although chronic hyperglycemia is a risk factor for fracture in T1DM, the effect of improved glycemic control on bone markers remains unclear. The main hypothesis is that rapid optimization of the glycemic profile (hyperglycemia and variability) may improve bone remodeling in people living with T1DM who have suboptimal glycemic control.

Aim: The primary objective of this pilot study is to quantify the proportion of participants significantly increasing at least one of the serum markers of bone remodeling post-installation of an automated insulin delivery system.

Secondary objectives are to quantify: 1) the magnitude of change in each of the serum markers of bone remodeling pre-intervention and at 2 and 4 months post-intervention; 2) the efficacy of the automated insulin delivery system in terms of glycemic control and variability (mean change in HbA1c and glycemic parameters derived from the continuous glucose monitoring system).

Methods: method: This is a prospective pilot study involving 25 adults aged 18 and over living with T1DM or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) who are interested in starting an automated insulin delivery system (artificial pancreas).

This study will involve 3 visits:

• Visit 1: before installation of the automated insulin delivery system,
• Visit 2: follow-up at 2 months after installation of the automated insulin delivery system,
• Visit 3: follow-up at 4 months after installation of the automated insulin delivery system.

During visits 1 and 3, participants will take a blood sample, perform a brief physical examination and complete questionnaires.

During visit 1, participants will also undertake a urine sample, and the research team will conduct a brief interview to obtain information on their diabetes diagnosis, associated complications, and medication use.

During Visit 2: blood sample only.

The project will not interfere with the participant's diabetes management. They will be asked to share a copy of their 14-day continuous glucose monitoring profile during the visit periods.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years;
• Diagnosis of T1D or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) for at least one year;
• Current HbA1c >8.0% and high glycemic variability (CV >36.0% using CGM);
• Participant planning to start using one of the commercially available AID;
• Anticipated use of the closed-loop mode;
• Willing to share CGM data during the study period.

Exclusion criteria

• Woman who was pregnant, gave birth or breastfed less than 6 months before the beginning of the study or who plans to become pregnant during the study;
• Conditions affecting bone turnover markers, such as chronic kidney disease (estimated GFR <30 ml/min), liver disease, intestinal malabsorption including celiac disease, organ transplant, active cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and endocrinopathies (active hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled hypothyroidism with abnormal TSH, parathyroid disease, hypogonadism, Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency and acromegaly);
• Anticipated therapeutic change and/or type of CGM sensor, insulin pump, or AID during the study period;
• Anticipated need to use acetaminophen during the study period at a dose above 1g every 6 hours;
• Current or anticipated use of hydroxyurea;
• Intake in the past 12 months of drugs influencing bone turnover markers, such as oral or intra-articular glucocorticoids (≥ 7.5 mg daily Prednisone or equivalent during ≥ 3 months or ≥ four intra-articular glucocorticoid infiltrations in the past year), aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer and anti-androgen therapy for prostate cancer, anticoagulants, SGLT-2 inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and anti-osteoporosis drugs;
• Unable to consent.