Studies Find Omnipod System Effective in Controlling Blood Glucose Levels Among Patients With Diabetes

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The pair of studies evaluating the technology were presented at the American Diabetes Association and simultaneously published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.

The Insulet Corporation recently discovered the positive impact its product, the tubeless insulin pump technology called Omnipod Insulin Management System, has among patients with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Researchers discovered that the Omnipod System was effective in controlling blood glucose levels in patients who switched from multiple daily injections (MDI) or from traditional tubed insulin pumps. The study data was released in 2 online publications in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology and was presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 76th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Omnipod System is a continuous insulin delivery system that is composed of 2 parts. The first is a pod that stores and delivers the insulin and the second, a Personal Diabetes Manager that wirelessly programs each individual’s personalized insulin delivery, calculates suggested doses and has a built-in blood glucose meter. According to a statement from Insulet, the technology system is lightweight and waterproof, allowing the patient up to 3 days of non-stop insulin delivery.

After 3 months of using the Omnipod System, results demonstrated a 0.6% decrease in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels — the measure of blood glucose control – in patients with T1D who had previously been using MDI therapy and a 0.5% decrease in A1C levels in patients who had used traditional tubed insulin pumps.^1,2 Researchers found a more significant decrease in A1C levels among individuals with T2D — patients showed a 1.2% decrease in A1C levels after just 3 months of use.^3,4

“This study marks the first report of glycemic control among a large cohort of patients treated with Omnipod in a real-world clinical setting, with results comparable to those reported for multiple daily insulin injections and other continuous subcutaneous infusion pumps,” Howard Zisser, MD, senior author of the study, in a statement. “While the patients we studied showed A1C level improvement overall, it’s significant to note the difference was greatest among those who had the least control of their condition. This suggests that poor glycemic control may be an important consideration for patients when deciding whether to initiate insulin pump therapy versus daily injections.”

Additionally, Zisser and his team discovered that use of the Omnipod System resulted in significant reductions in a patient’s daily insulin requirement as well as a reduction in the frequency and severity of reported hypoglycemic episodes in both T1D and T2D patients.

The study examined more than 900 patients, and 80% of all patients with T1D were previously treated using MDI as compared to 20% using traditional insulin pumps. All of the patients with T2D had previously used MDI.

“Our mission is to change the way patients and providers manage diabetes,” said Patrick Sullivan, president and CEO, in a statement. “We are proud of these study results and are dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages with diabetes, including the more than 85,000 members of our growing Podder community worldwide, by helping them live tube-free and without the hassles of multiple daily injections.”

References

1. Layne JE, Parkin CG, Zisser HC. Efficacy of the OmniPod insulin management system on glycemic control among patients with type 1 diabetes previously treated with MDI of CSII. Diabetes. 2016; 65(suppl1). 1010-P.

2. Layne JE, Parkin CG, Zisser HC. Efficacy of the OmniPod insulin management system on glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes previously treated with multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [published online June 11, 2016]. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2016; doi: 10.1177/1932296816638674.

3. Layne JE, Parkin CG, Zisser HC. Efficacy of the OmniPod insulin management system in patients with type 2 diabetes previously treated with multiple daily injections. Diabetes. 2016; 65 (suppl1): 988-P.

10.1177/1932296816653143

4. Layne JE, Parkin CG, Zisser HC. Efficacy of a tubeless patch pump in patients with type 2 diabetes previously treated with multiple daily injections [published June 11, 2016]. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2016; doi: .