Medtronic’s newest MiniMed 670G beats previous iteration in youth
The MiniMed 670G (Image from Medtronic)
Medtronic touted a study that showed use of its next-generation MiniMed 670G 4.0, an automated hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) system, in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes can lead to improved daytime blood sugar control without an increase in hypoglycemia compared with use of the previous generation of the system, the MiniMed 670G 3.0, which is not automated.
Youth with type 1 diabetes often have a difficult time achieving optimal blood sugar control, which is important in reducing the risk for diabetes complications. The FLAIR study enrolled 113 patients age 14 to 29 with type 1 diabetes and had each use an automatic insulin delivery system for 3 months in a randomized crossover trial. Participants and their diabetes care partners received standardized pump training, including how to account for meals and exercise. Researchers compared how effective each system was at preventing high blood glucose levels during the day (currently the biggest challenge for these systems) and evaluated how participants adjusted to the daily use of the technology, according to Medtronic.
Results showed:
- The percentage of time in range (TIR) over 24 hours (meaning blood sugar levels from 70-180 mg/dL) was superior with MiniMed 670G 4.0 compared with the non-automated model. TIR went from 57% at baseline to 67% with MiniMed 670G 4.0 and 63% using MiniMed 670G 3.0.
- The number of individuals achieving the international TIR consensus target of > 70% TIR went up nearly threefold from baseline when using MiniMed 670G 4.0 compared to increasing almost twofold when using MiniMed 670G 3.0.
- Baseline average A1C levels were 7.9% and A1C decreased to 7.4% with AHCL vs. 7.6% with HCL.
- Both systems were safe when evaluating events of level 3 hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
- Responses to a user satisfaction survey showed patients preferred the AHCL over the HCL system.
“This age group has traditionally been the most difficult group in which to optimize glucose management and the FLAIR study shows that individuals using any type of therapy, even insulin injections without a pump or CGM system, can benefit from the next-generation AHCL AID therapy,” said FLAIR co-primary investigator Dr. Richard Bergenstal, executive director of the International Diabetes Center at HealthPartners in Bloomington, Minn., and past ADA president of Medicine & Science. “There is much interest in the future of advanced technology to treat type 1 diabetes and the AHCL system is a significant step forward for adolescents or young adults who have a hard time managing their glucose levels.”
