National Diabetes Month, observed during the month of November, provides an opportunity for people to come together, and bring attention to the disease and increase awareness of the challenges that people with diabetes face each day. This year’s National Diabetes Month is especially significant to Michigan Medicine, with an important clinical trial that has recently been approved. Michigan Medicine researchers, funded by Medtronic, have started the first large clinical trial for adult and pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes using a hybrid closed loop system that Michigan Medicine has ever done.
The study is led by Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes (MEND), Co-Director of the Michigan Peripheral Neuropathy Center at Michigan Medicine, and Associate Chair for Clinical Research at Michigan Medicine. Michael Wood, MD, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, is a co-investigator.
This clinical trial is designed to monitor patients with diabetes at home for a period of 12 months using Medtronic’s MiniMed® 670G system, the first hybrid closed loop system that automatically monitors blood glucose and provides the appropriate amount of insulin to adjust the patient’s insulin levels, acting like an artificial pancreas. Patients only need to enter mealtime carbohydrates consumed, accept bolus correction recommendations, and periodically calibrate the sensor. The study will enroll patients from a wide range of ages, from 2-80 years old. The approach is team-based with research faculty and staff coming from both the Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes Division, within the Department of Internal Medicine, and the Pediatric Endocrinology Division, within the Department of Pediatrics, all in a concerted effort to fight diabetes and its complications.
"We hope to help patients with type 1 diabetes across all ages reach much better glucose control, with lower risk for hypoglycemia and better quality of life, working as a true team of adult and pediatric endocrinologist physicians and nurse investigators." - Rodica Pop-Busui, MD, PhD
