News & Research

Pramlintide lowered glucose excursions and was well-tolerated in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: results from a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, by H. Peter Chase and colleagues. Journal of Pediatrics 155:369–373, 2009

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Diabetes affects about 22% of all people under the age of 20 in the United States. Because adolescents are growing and have many years ahead of them to live, it is particularly important to control their high and low blood glucose levels to prevent serious health problems from diabetes. Pramlintide is a drug that works by slowing down stomach emptying after meals, reducing the amount of glucose released in the body and making people who take it feel full more quickly when eating. In studies of adults who use insulin, pramlintide has been shown to improve overall diabetes control, reduce rises and falls in blood glucose levels, and reduce weight in people who are overweight. The effectiveness of pramlintide in children and adolescents has not been widely studied.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to find out how pramlintide would work in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Who was studied?

The study included 12 overweight diabetic adolescents whose diabetes was poorly controlled with insulin.

How was the study done?

Participants received either pramlintide or a “dummy” injection and a separate injection of insulin before eating breakfast. They all ate the same meal. Then they were tested to see how well their bodies used the pramlintide, how long its effects lasted, and what affect it had on their digestion of food.

What did the researchers find?

Pramlintide slowed down stomach emptying and reduced rises and falls in glucose levels after the meal, much as it does in adults. It caused no bad effects or hypoglycemia.

What were the limitations of the study?

This study looked at the effects of a single dose of pramlintide after a single meal. Researchers did not look at the ongoing effects of pramlintide or try to find out which doses may be best for adolescents. Researchers also did not address any possible long-term bad effects, including hypoglycemia, from using pramlintide and did not try to find out whether adding pramlintide would allow teens to lower the amount of insulin they take to control their diabetes. More studies are needed.

What are the implications of the study?
 

This study suggests that long-term studies should be done in adolescents with type 1 diabetes to see if pramlintide would be a useful addition to their diabetes treatment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Pramlintide Treatment

Blood Glucose Control

American Diabetes Association’s Guide to Raising a Child With Diabetes>