Smartphone Bolus Feature Increases Number of Insulin Boluses in People With Low Bolus Frequency

Abstract

Background: The t:connect mobile app from Tandem Diabetes Care recently added a feature to allow t:slim X2 insulin pump users to initiate an insulin bolus from their personal smartphone. User experience and user interface considerations prioritized safety and ease of use, and we examined whether the smartphone bolus feature changed bolus behavior in individuals who bolused less than three times/day. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of t:slim X2 insulin pump users in the United States who had remotely updated their insulin pump software to be compatible with the smartphone bolus version of the app and who gave less than three boluses per day prior to the smartphone bolus update. Results: Of the 4470 early adopters who met these criteria, the median number of boluses was 2.2 per day (prior to smartphone bolus update) versus 2.7 per day (after smartphone bolus update), equating to approximately half a bolus more delivered per day ( P < .001). Overall, a median of one bolus per day was administered by smartphone app as opposed to being initiated from the screen on the insulin pump. Conclusion: This analysis found a significant increase in bolusing behavior among early adopters of the smartphone bolus feature of the t:connect mobile app.