Diabetes Technology News From EASD 2024

The exhibition hall at EASD 2024 in Madrid was an impressive mix of diabetes technology on display, scientific data related to that tech, and attendees pushing the limits of caffeine intake as they bounced from barista to barista as many of the exhibition booths beckoned them to view the latest diabetes tech, with a free shot of espresso as a reward.

From that bustling exhibition hall to the scientific sessions in rooms spread throughout the IFEMA (Institución Ferial de Madrid or Fair Institution of Madrid) center, read on for some of the highlights. There was too much to cover in a week – the research presented at EASD will provide fodder for stories throughout the year for the news team at diaTribe.

Below are highly subjective highlights in technology from EASD Madrid:

People with type 2 using CGM had fewer hospital visits, and A1C dropped by nearly 1 point 

People who used continuous glucose monitoring in a US study, some using insulin and some not, were hospitalized less often than those who didn't use CGM. The study showed CGM use reduced hospital visits for all causes, including acute diabetes-related visits, and time in the emergency room. The study of about 74,000 people was conducted over a year by researchers from the International Diabetes Center in Minnesota, the University of Washington in Seattle, and the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado. The study was supported by Roche.

Another study by the same group showed 6,000 people with type 2 using CGM saw their average A1C decrease by 0.9 in just three months – without any changes to their medication. That reduction stayed consistent throughout the year-long study.

Omnipod 5 users saw better results using lower targets

Time in range increased as people set their blood sugar level target lower, in a study of 9,900  people with type 1 in Europe using the Omnipod 5 AID system in the UK and Germany. Median time in range for adults using the system was 70.5% for those who set their target to 110 mg/dL versus 64.55 when set to 120 mg/dL, and 54.1% when the target range was 130-150 mg/dL. Similar results (66.5, 64.9, and 60.8% for the same targets were seen in children older than 2 years old using the system. Participants from both groups who set lower targets also saw less time with low blood sugar levels.

Children using Tandem's Control-IQ had better time in range, A1C, and missed less school

A year-long study of children using Tandem's AID system in Belgium saw their time in range increase from 51.6% to 67%. Average A1C dropped from 7.8 to 7.1. Parents reported they missed less work and the kids missed less school. 

Travel by plane can make insulin pumps over- and under-deliver

Insulin pumps were shown to over and underdeliver when the people using them traveled by plane during takeoffs and landings. Testing using the biggest hyperbaric chamber in Europe showed it's about half a unit, give or take – over on takeoff and under on descent. In sudden decompression, which happens infrequently, but still dozens of times a year globally, surprisingly it's more than 5 units. Disconnect during takeoff/landing, if you can, or have a small carb snack if you can't. Read more in our full story.

Learn more about technology and diabetes care:

• Diabetes Technology on Display at ADA 2024
• AID Technology Improves Diabetes Care No Matter How You Get It
• Making Space for People With Diabetes at Scientific Conferences

Photo credit: EASD – European Association for the Study of Diabetes e.V.