Insulin dose optimization using an automated artificial intelligence-based decision support system in youths with type 1 diabetes

Nat Med. 2020 Sep;26(9):1380-1384. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-1045-7. Epub 2020 Sep 9.

Abstract

Despite the increasing adoption of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring devices, most people with type 1 diabetes do not achieve their glycemic goals1. This could be related to a lack of expertise or inadequate time for clinicians to analyze complex sensor-augmented pump data. We tested whether frequent insulin dose adjustments guided by an automated artificial intelligence-based decision support system (AI-DSS) is as effective and safe as those guided by physicians in controlling glucose levels. ADVICE4U was a six-month, multicenter, multinational, parallel, randomized controlled, non-inferiority trial in 108 participants with type 1 diabetes, aged 10-21 years and using insulin pump therapy (ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT03003806). Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive remote insulin dose adjustment every three weeks guided by either an AI-DSS, (AI-DSS arm, n = 54) or by physicians (physician arm, n = 54). The results for the primary efficacy measure-the percentage of time spent within the target glucose range (70-180 mg dl-1 (3.9-10.0 mmol l-1))-in the AI-DSS arm were statistically non-inferior to those in the physician arm (50.2 ± 11.1% versus 51.6 ± 11.3%, respectively, P < 1 × 10-7). The percentage of readings below 54 mg dl-1 (<3.0 mmol l-1) within the AI-DSS arm was statistically non-inferior to that in the physician arm (1.3 ± 1.4% versus 1.0 ± 0.9%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Three severe adverse events related to diabetes (two severe hypoglycemia, one diabetic ketoacidosis) were reported in the physician arm and none in the AI-DSS arm. In conclusion, use of an automated decision support tool for optimizing insulin pump settings was non-inferior to intensive insulin titration provided by physicians from specialized academic diabetes centers.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / methods*
  • Child
  • Decision Support Systems, Clinical / instrumentation*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin Infusion Systems
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03003806