The Effect of Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery on Glycemic Control in Adolescents and Adults with Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes
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Updated: May 12, 2025

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Kevin J Scully1, Michelle Reed2, Julia Douvas3
1Hasbro Children's Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Insights
The Omnipod 5 (OP5) automated insulin delivery system improved glycemic control in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) patients, reducing hyperglycemia without increasing hypoglycemia. However, some patients discontinued use due to hypoglycemia, highlighting the need for further safety and efficacy studies in this population.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Diabetes Technology
- Cystic Fibrosis Research
Background:
- Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems show promise for managing diabetes, but research in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) is limited.
- The tubeless Omnipod 5 (OP5) AID system has not been previously studied in individuals with CFRD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Omnipod 5 (OP5) system in youth and adults with CFRD.
- To assess changes in glycemic metrics using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) after initiating the OP5 system.
Main Methods:
- A dual-center retrospective cohort study analyzed CGM data from 26 individuals with CFRD initiating OP5.
- Glycemic metrics were compared between a 14-day baseline and 90- and 180-day post-initiation periods.
- Multivariable mixed-effects linear regression models were employed to analyze changes in time in range, time above range, and time below range.
Main Results:
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) time in range (70-180 mg/dL) significantly increased from 54% at baseline to 64% within 90 days and 62.7% by 180 days (P < 0.001).
- Time above range (TAR) significantly improved, while time below range and coefficient of variation showed no significant changes.
- Two participants discontinued OP5 due to hypoglycemia within 14 days; one adult experienced a hypoglycemic seizure after 3 months.
Conclusions:
- The OP5 system significantly improved hyperglycemia control in individuals with CFRD over a 6-month period.
- While hypoglycemia did not increase on CGM metrics, patient experiences of hypoglycemia may impact sustained use.
- Further research is essential to confirm the safety and efficacy of AID systems in the unique CFRD population.
Abstract:
Background: Studies investigating the safety and efficacy of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems in people with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes are limited. There are no published studies investigating the tubeless Omnipod 5 (OP5) AID system. Methods: This dual-center retrospective cohort study compared 14 days of baseline continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data with days 1-90 and 91-180 post-OP5 initiation. Multivariable mixed-effects linear regression models were used to assess changes in glycemic metrics. Results: Among the 26 individuals with sufficient data initiating OP5, 65% were female, with a median age of 27.3 years and median diabetes duration of 10.9 years. Six (23%) had a history of solid organ transplant, and 2 (8%) were receiving enteral tube feeds. Participants transitioned to OP5 from multiple daily injections (54%), prior Omnipod generation (31%), or another AID system (15%). CGM time in range (70-180 mg/dL) increased from 54% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.0, 63.0) to 64% (95% CI: 57, 71.8, P < 0.001) during the first 90 days and to 62.7% (95% CI: 54.9, 70.5, P < 0.001) during 91-180 days. Time above range (TAR) 181-250 mg/dL and TAR >250 mg/dL improved at 1-90 days and 91-180 days compared with baseline (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). There were no significant changes in time below range (54-69 mg/dL, <54 mg/dL) or coefficient of variation. Two individuals discontinued OP5 within 14 days due to persistent hypoglycemia. One adult experienced a hypoglycemic seizure after 3 months of use. Conclusions: Use of the OP5 system in youth and adults with CFRD led to significant improvements in multiples measures of hyperglycemia without a change in CGM-measured hypoglycemia over a 6-month period, although patient experience with hypoglycemia may limit sustained use. Given the unique comorbidities and pathophysiology of CFRD, these results emphasize the need for future studies to investigate the safety and efficacy of AID devices in this patient population.
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