We describe a 23-year-old man with a history of type 1 diabetes treated with an insulin pump, who had recurrent severe hypoglycemia. To report a case that substantiates the presence of hypoglycemia at the time of death of a young man with type 1 diabetes, who was found unresponsive in his undisturbed bed in the morning. The findings highlight the importance of health professionals' showing support and understanding for those choosing to use an open-source artificial pancreas system. Overall, participants felt that the experienced benefits for their physical health and quality of life outweighed the challenges and potential risks.Īdults with type 1 diabetes are applying several interweaving psychosocial and practical strategies to navigate the challenges of building and using open-source artificial pancreas systems. They felt that using an open-source solution was no riskier than previous management and demonstrated a conscious weighing-up of risks. Participants relied on peer support and self-sufficiency to fill perceived gaps in professional and industry support. Participants used four key strategies to navigate challenges: 1) peer support, 2) self-sufficiency, 3) risk management, and 4) trade-offs. Participants included 23 adults with type 1 diabetes, aged 25-64 years, 10 (43%) women, with 1-34 months experience of open-source artificial pancreas systems. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews (Oct 2018 to Jan 2019) with Australian adults about their experiences using an open-source artificial pancreas system. We explored the experiences of adults with type 1 diabetes using open-source artificial pancreas systems to understand how they are navigating these challenges.

lacking required technical knowledge, difficulties sourcing hardware). People face multiple challenges when building and using open-source artificial pancreas systems (e.g.

Currently, these 'user-led', open-source systems are not endorsed by regulatory bodies. An emerging group of people with type 1 diabetes are building and using their own artificial pancreas systems.

Diabetes by Robert Tattersall