Effect of mini-dose ready-to-use liquid glucagon on preventing exercise-associated hypoglycemia in adults with type 1 diabetes

Objective

To determine effect of mini-dose, ready-to-use glucagon on incidence of exercise-associated hypoglycemia (EAH) in adults with type 1 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods

Individuals initially participated in the in-clinic training phase for which they were randomized to a crossover design: 150 µg glucagon (treatment arm A) or placebo (arm B) subcutaneously, immediately before exercise, plus 50% reduction in continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) basal delivery rate. Completers were then re-randomized in the 12-week outpatient investigational phase: arm A, B, or open-label C, 150 µg glucagon alone. Participants were to undertake their usual aerobic exercise at moderate to high intensity for 30 to 75 minutes in real-world settings. Data were analyzed for incidence of level 1 hypoglycemia based on self-monitoring blood glucose and for various secondary and exploratory endpoints.

Results

Of 48 participants who completed the training phase, 45 continued to the outpatient phase. For all exercise sessions in the outpatient phase (n=795), incidence of level 1 hypoglycemia was lower in both glucagon arms (A, 12% [P<0.0001]; C, 16% [P=0.0032]) than in the placebo arm (B, 39%). Times below range, in range, and above range from 0 to 300 minutes did not significantly differ among treatment arms. Consumed grams of exercise carbohydrates were lower with glucagon use than with placebo use but did not reach statistical significance (P=0.12). Adverse events were similar among treatment arms.

Conclusions

Mini-dose glucagon with or without 50% reduction in CSII basal delivery rate may help to decrease EAH incidence in adults with type 1 diabetes.