Preserved C-peptide secretion is associated with higher time in range (TIR) on intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring in Chinese adults with type 1 diabetes

Objective: To explore the relationship between C-peptide secretion and time in range (TIR) in adult patients with type 1 diabetes. Methods: From December 2018 to December 2020, 76 type 1 diabetes participants were enrolled from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Peking University People’s Hospital. All participants wore intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM), and insulin dosage was adjusted according to standardized clinical procedures. Subjects were divided into low C-peptide group (<10 pmol/L) and preserved C-peptide group (10–200 pmol/L) based on fasting serum C-peptide levels. Differences of TIR, metrics related to glucose variability and hypoglycemic events were compared. Results: A total of 94,846 isCGM values obtained from 39 male and 37 female participants were analyzed. Individuals with preserved C-peptide secretion had shorter diabetes duration (2.0 (0.5, 10.0) vs 10.0 (3.0, 18.3) years, P = 0.002). TIR was higher in the individuals with preserved C-peptide than those with decreased C-peptide (67.1% (54.2, 75.8) vs 45.5% (33.9, 56.1), P < 0.001), and time above range was significantly lower in those with preserved C-peptide (28.0% (15.6, 42.4) vs 49.4% (39.1, 64.2), P < 0.001). Preserved C-peptide was associated with lower glucose variability, as defined by s.d. (3.0 mmol/L (2.6, 3.4) vs 3.8 mmol/L (3.2, 4.3), P < 0.001) and interquartile range (4.3 mmol/L (3.1, 4.8) vs 5.3 mmol/L (4.5, 6.3), P < 0.001). Metrics related to hypoglycemia were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Preserved C-peptide secretion was associated with higher TIR and lower glucose variability in Chinese type 1 diabetes adults.