Insulin independence following islet transplantation improves long-term metabolic outcomes

Pancreatic islet allotransplantation is an effective therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus, restoring glycaemic control and hypoglycaemic awareness in patients with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia. Insulin independence following transplant is being increasingly reported; however, this is not a primary endpoint in the UK. Having surpassed 10 years of islet transplantation in Scotland, we aimed to evaluate the impact of insulin independence following transplant on metabolic outcomes and graft survival.

We conducted a retrospective analysis on data collected prospectively between 2011 and 2022. Patients who underwent islet transplantation in Scotland up to the 31st January 2020 were included. Primary endpoint was graft survival (stimulated C-peptide >50 pmol/L). Secondary endpoints included GOLD score, HbA1c, C-peptide and insulin requirement. Outcomes were compared between patients who achieved insulin independence at any point following transplant versus those who did not.

60 patients were included. 74.5% experienced >50 severe hypoglycaemic episodes in the year preceding transplant. There was a 55.0% decrease in insulin requirement following transplant and 30.0% achieved insulin independence. Mean graft survival time was 9.0 years (95% CI 7.2-10.9) in patients who achieved insulin independence versus 4.4 years (95% CI 3.4-5.3) in patients who did not. Insulin independence was associated with significantly improved graft function, glycaemic control and hypoglycaemic awareness at 1 year.

This is the largest UK single-centre study on islet transplant to date. Our findings demonstrate significantly improved outcomes in patients who achieved insulin independence following islet transplantation.