Driving with Type 1 Diabetes: Real-World Evidence to Support Starting Glucose Level and Frequency of Monitoring During Journeys.

Steven Trawley; Amanda N Stephens; Sybil A McAuley; Jane Speight; Christel Hendrieckx; Sara Vogrin; Melissa H Lee; Barbora Paldus; Leon A Bach; Morton G Burt; Neale D Cohen; Peter G Colman; Elizabeth A Davis; D Jane Holmes-Walker; Alicia J Jenkins; Joey Kaye; Anthony C Keech; Kavita Kumareswaran; Richard J MacIsaac; Roland W McCallum; Catriona M Sims; Stephen N Stranks; Vijaya Sundararajan; Glenn M Ward; Timothy W Jones; David N O'Neal
Abstract
There is limited evidence supporting the recommendation that drivers with insulin-treated diabetes need to start journeys with glucose >90 mg/dL. Glucose levels of drivers with type 1 diabetes were monitored for 3 weeks using masked continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Eighteen drivers (median [IQR] age 40 [35, 51] years; 11 men) undertook 475 trips (duration 15 [13, 21] min). Hypoglycemia did not occur in any trip starting with glucose >90 mg/dL (92%;  = 436). Thirteen drivers recorded at least one trip (total  = 39) starting with glucose <90 mg/dL. Among these, driving glucose was <70 mg/dL in five drivers (38%) during 10 trips (26%). Among five drivers (28%), a ≥ 36 mg/dL drop was observed within 20 min of starting their journey. Journey duration was positively associated with maximum glucose change. These findings support current guidelines to start driving with glucose >90 mg/dL, and to be aware that glucose levels may change significantly within 20 min. A CGM-based, in-vehicle display could provide glucose information and alerts that are compatible with safe driving. Clinical Trial Registration number: ACTRN12617000520336.n
Journal DIABETES TECHNOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
ISSN 1557-8593
Published 01 May 2022
Volume 24
Issue 5
Pages 350-356
DOI 10.1089/dia.2021.0460
Type Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Sponsorship