Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy After Initiation of Automated Insulin Delivery System in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background:

To evaluate the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) after the initiation of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods:

In this longitudinal study with 152 adults, retinal exams and clinical variables were collected before and after AID initiation up to 2.7 years. The DR worsening was defined as an increase in Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) scores or qualitative retinal exam.

Results:

A total of 152 adults with mean age of 42 years (57% female), 26 years of T1D duration, and mean baseline HbA_1c of 7.6% (60 mmol/mol) were included in this analysis. Of 152 adults with T1D, 42 (28%) adults had DR worsening after AID initiation. After adjusting for age, diabetes duration, and sex, baseline HbA_1c (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1 [1.34-3.04]) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 mg/dL with HbA_1c >8% (OR = 3.33 [1.12-9.91]) were associated with two- and three-fold increased risk for DR worsening, respectively. The decline of HbA_1c with AID initiation between DR worsening and no-DR worsening groups was not significant (−0.38 ± 1.2% vs −0.47 ± 0.9%; P = .6).

Conclusions:

Higher baseline HbA_1c with LDL-C >100 mg/dL may be associated with DR worsening after initiation of AID systems in T1D. Those with elevated HbA_1c should get periodic ophthalmic examination after AID initiation to detect progression of DR. Prompt diagnosis may result in timely treatment.