2022 has been an amazing year for progress and growth for the T1D Exchange team.

In the past year, the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) expanded from 41 to 52 endocrinology centers, serving more than 80,000 people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) across the U.S.

The T1D Exchange Registry continued to grow, with more than 18,000 people sharing their experiences with T1D to help advance research. Our Research team carried out several major studies in collaboration with our research partners on topics including diabetes distress, the nuances of socioeconomic status and health insurance, and many more.

Here are a few of our 2022 Top Research Highlights:

Improving T1D Care at the 2022 T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) Learning Sessions

In November 2022, the T1DX-QI held our annual Learning Sessions in Miami, FL, bringing together 250+ diabetes experts from our 52 T1DX-QI clinics across 22 states.

Throughout the two-day conference, more than 60 speakers presented 37 abstracts, held panel discussions, and shared real-world results of improved diabetes outcomes from their work with the collaborative in their local T1D communities.

The abstracts from this conference were published in the Wiley Journal of Diabetes, covering many aspects of T1D care. Themes include supporting device usage, increasing equity in device access, developing population health dashboards, screening for mental health and social determinants of health, educational programs within the clinics, and much more!

Read more highlights from the 2022 T1DX-QI Learning Sessions in part 1 and part 2!

This year’s T1DX-QI Learning Sessions were a huge success, and we’re already gearing up for our 2023 Learning Sessions in New York City!

T1D Exchange Registry Reached More than 9,500 Annual Questionnaire Completions

The T1D Exchange Registry is a longitudinal research study and is only as powerful as the participants who return each year to provide data.

Our Annual Questionnaire is presented to each Registry participant once per year, and as we end 2022, more than 9,500 people have completed it!

By measuring research outcomes, or variables like A1c levels, insulin types, insulin delivery methods, and general health information annually, researchers may identify key insights into the progression and longer-term issues of type 1 diabetes, as well as how an individual’s management and treatment options can change year to year. Looking at these changes over time can help spur research initiatives to help people with T1D.

We look forward to learning even more from Registry participants as more people become eligible for and complete their Annual Questionnaires in 2023!

Data from Custom Research Studies with Vertex Pharmaceuticals Presented at ADA 2022

The T1D Exchange Research team partnered with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to conduct a few research studies in 2022, two of which were presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 82nd Scientific Sessions in June.

Persistence of Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia, Severe Hypoglycemic Events, and Suboptimal Glycemic Control Despite Advanced Diabetes Technologies

This survey examined how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and hybrid closed-loop systems impact severe lows, hypoglycemia unawareness, and T1D health outcomes.

Although most people who took this survey use a CGM, and a bit less than half of the group use a hybrid closed-loop system, we still found that:

  • 41.5% of all respondents had an A1C of 7% or greater
  • 30.7% of respondents have impaired awareness of hypoglycemia
  • 19.8% had at least one severe low in the past year
  • 12% had at least two severe lows in the past year

Although people using a hybrid closed-loop system in addition to a CGM had the lowest rate of severe lows and the lowest percentage of people with A1cs of 7% or above, this study showed a strong need for better, more advanced therapies.

Gaps Remain in Achieving Target T1D Glycemic Goals Despite Advanced Technologies

We also analyzed CGM data from participants along with a survey about their experiences with T1D.

Most participants in this study met the standard goals for A1c, time in range, glucose management indicator, and coefficient of variation. However, based on CGM data, participants continued to have significant lows, with an average of 1.1 severe hypoglycemia events in the prior year.

Although we’ve made strides toward our vision of better, longer lives for all people with T1D in 2022, there is still much work to be done. With your support, in 2023, we can continue driving access to the best tools, resources, and healthcare for every person impacted by T1D.