Novel Modified Algorithm for High Fat/High Energy Density Meal in Type 1 Diabetes: Less Hypoglycemia

INTRODUCTION: This aim of this study was to investigate the effect of additional insulin dosing for high fat/high energy density mixed meal over 12 hours.
METHODS: In this single-center, non-blinded, randomized, cross-over study, a high fat/high energy density test meal was used to study the impact on glycemic response of either carbohydrate counting (CC) on the first day and the Pań;kowska algorithm (PA) on the second test day. The two methods were compared in 20 adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), aged 9-18 years, using insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring on postprandial early (0-120 min), late (120-720 min), and total (0-720 min) glycemic response.
RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in the duration of normoglycemia in the early period. Postprandially, 50% of patients developed hypoglycemia using the PA at a median of 6.3 (5.6-7.9) hours and the PA was subsequently modified for the remaining ten patients. Area under the curve (AUC) for the early period decreased non-significantly in the CC group, indicating less normoglycemia. No significant difference was found in the AUC of the PA (no hypoglycemia n=4) and modified PA groups (no hypoglycemia n=6) over the whole period (0-12 hours). AUC for level 2 hyperglycemia was statistically greater in the PA-no hypoglycemia patients compared to modified PA-no hypoglycemia patients.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There were inter-individual differences in glycemic response to high fat/high energy density meals. An individualized approach to insulin dosing by evaluating food diary and postprandial glucose monitoring appears to be optimal for children and adolescents with T1D.