Beneficial effects on body weight of group vs individual care in adults with type 1 diabetes on advanced technologies

Rationale and aims Outpatient group visits in diabetes care have several potential advantages and can be simplified by the new technologies. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and effectiveness of group visits vs individual visits in adults with type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, CSII) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Methods Outpatient setting for group visits (2-hour duration, quarterly, 6-8 patients) was the projection on giant screen of each patient's CGM and insulin pump data, with interactive discussion moderated by a diabetologist. Anthropometric measures and glycemic control (HbA1c) were assessed before and after a mean observation period of 4.4 ± 1.2 years (mean ± standard deviation, M ± SD) in CSII patients followed by group visits (GROUP) or individual visits (INDIVIDUAL) between 2013 and 2019. Results At the beginning of the observation, GROUP and INDIVIDUAL cohorts were strictly matched for gender (M/F = 37/35 and 37/35), age, diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI), CSII duration, and HbA1c level. HbA1c levels did not change significantly between beginning and end of observation in either cohort (GROUP 7.54 ± 0.80% and 7.60 ± 0.79%, P = .585; INDIVIDUAL 7.73 ± 1.27% and 7.60 ± 1.08%, P = .281) (time*visit effect P = .232, two-way repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Body weight remained unchanged in the GROUP cohort (73.2 ± 14.0 vs 73.8 ± 14.8 kg, P = .361), while it increased in the INDIVIDUAL cohort (70.3 ± 13.5 vs 73.0 ± 13.7 kg, P < 0.001) (time*visit effect P = .009). Conclusions Group care is feasible in adult patients with type 1 diabetes using new technologies. Group visits can be beneficial in inducing lifestyle changes, as indicated by the favorable effects observed on body weight trend.