Virtual vs. In-Person Training for MinMed™ 780G Initiation: Comparable Effectiveness and Safety in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Abstract

Background: A knowledge gap persists regarding whether virtual training differs from in-person training in terms of metabolic control and clinical safety among adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) initiating the MiniMed™ 780G advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) system.

Methods: Observational study comparing two retrospective cohorts of adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) treated with the Medtronic MiniMed™780G hybrid closed-loop insulin automation system: one cohort trained in-person and a second cohort trained virtually at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá (Colombia). Metabolic control and safety parameters were evaluated 12 weeks after training initiation. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors associated with meeting glycemic target (Time in range 70-180 mg/dL ≥ 70%) at 12 weeks.

Results: 191 patients were analyzed; (49.7% virtual 50.3% in-person training). After 12 weeks, no statistically significant differences were observed in TIR between the cohorts (75% vs. 77.5%, p = 0.51). Severe hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dL) decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.02), without differences between cohorts. The type of training was not significantly associated with achieving the goals of TIR (adjusted OR 0.78; 95% CI:0.16-3.82; p=0.76). Younger age (<45 years) was independently associated with improved metabolic control (adjusted OR 0.08; 95% CI:0.01-0.75; p=0.02). Higher socioeconomic status showed a trend toward better outcomes (adjusted OR 35.04; 95% CI:0.94-1260.6; p=0.05).

Conclusions: Both virtual and in-person training are effective and safe strategies for initiating the MiniMed™ 780G AHCL system in adults with T1D, with no significant differences between training modalities.