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Picture of Professor Ben Wheeler

Professor Ben Wheeler, EDOR researcher and paediatrician, has published the results of a study that uses technology to treat high-risk youth with type 1 diabetes in the international journal The New England Journal of Medicine Evidence.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can develop in anyone, with little warning.  It requires constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and regular insulin injections, which places a high burden on children and their families. Traditional treatment involves pricking fingers multiple times per day to check blood sugar levels, manual injections of insulin, and strictly controlling diet and exercise.

The Co-Pilot study included 80 seven- to 25-year-olds who were struggling to manage their type 1 diabetes. This cohort of youth are often excluded from clinical trials, but they have a high risk of developing long term complications from their diabetes such as blindness, lower limb amputation and early death.

Youth enrolled in the treatment arm of the study received an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor. After  three months, the treatment group was spending an average of nine hours more a day in the normal blood sugar range, compared with those youth receiving usual diabetes care.

Professor Wheeler said the children and young people using this technology were not only "feeling much better and safer", but were much less likely to develop diabetes complications and suffer early deaths.

"There's no other randomised controlled trial in this sort of technology world-wide that's shown that kind of improvement, " says Professor Wheeler.

The cost of this technology is a barrier for many families but from the 1st October 2024, Pharmac is funding continuous glucose monitors for all those in Aotearoa New Zealand living with type 1 diabetes, making live-changing devices more accessible.

The Co-Pilot study was made possible through funds raised by the Lions New Zealand District 202F, along with a NZ Lottery Health Research Grant, Starship Foundation and charitable funds via Wayne Bowen and Family, and the New Zealand Spinal Cord Research Society.

Professor Ben Wheeler and Lions

Representatives from Lions New Zealand District 202F with Professor Ben Wheeler (middle right) and EDOR Co-Director Professor Jim Mann (middle left).

Access the published Co-Pilot study and its editorial

Visit news stories about this study

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