[acb-diabetics] New technology does better job in controlling diabetes

[Patricia LaFrance-Wolf]

This article originally posted 13 July, 2012 and appeared in
<http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/topics/type-1-diabetes> Type 1 Diabetes,
<http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/topics/medical-devices> Medical Devices,
<http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/diabetes-in-control-newsletters/634> Issue
634 

 


Newer Technologies Work Better than Conventional Methods in Controlling
Glucose


Newer technologies designed to help people with type 1 diabetes monitor
their blood sugar levels daily work better than traditional methods.... 






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The research findings, suggest that even though these diabetic control
technologies are more costly, people with diabetes who use an insulin pump
are more satisfied with their treatment and quality of life than those who
give themselves insulin shots many times a day.

The study's senior author, Sherita Hill Golden, M.D., M.H.S., an associate
professor in the division of endocrinology and metabolism at the Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, stated that, "Our study was designed
to help patients and physicians better understand the effectiveness of
insulin pumps and blood sugar sensors that provide constant glucose
monitoring compared to conventional approaches." "We found that certain
devices confer real benefits."

In their study, Golden and her colleagues reviewed and re-analyzed data from
33 randomized controlled trials that compared the newer technologies to
conventional methods of monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels. The
new technologies they looked at were primarily real-time continuous glucose
monitoring devices and insulin pumps.

The continuous monitoring devices track blood sugar levels all day and
night, as often as every five minutes, using a sensor that is attached to
the abdomen with a small needle held in place by tape. The sensor sends the
results to a display that is worn on the belt. Diabetic individuals can make
decisions about adjusting insulin therapy and/or activity levels based on
the readouts. Patients still need to prick their fingers two to four times a
day to make sure the device is working properly, but that is down from as
many as eight to 10 times a day for patients trying to strictly control
blood sugar. These devices also sound alarms if the blood sugar level is
dangerously high or low.

The researchers found that children, teens and adults with type 1 diabetes
who used continuous monitoring had lower blood glucose levels than those who
used finger stick testing alone. They also spent less overall time with too
much blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Both methods worked equally well to
control hypoglycemia, the condition that results when blood sugar levels are
too low.

While there was little difference in blood sugar control in those who give
themselves multiple insulin shots a day versus those who used insulin pumps,
those with type 1 diabetes who used the sensor-augmented pumps, pumps that
include real-time continuous glucose monitoring devices, did much better
controlling blood sugar than those who used finger stick testing and shots.

Golden added that, "Those who use the devices as prescribed do the best at
maintaining blood sugar control." "Adherence is the key to effectiveness."

Golden says that not all insurance companies cover the new technologies.
Medicare, for example, doesn't cover the real-time continuous glucose
monitoring sensors. Golden also says her study was unable to determine
whether people over 65 benefit specifically from using the device.

Researchers say they still want to investigate how patients using these
convenient technologies fare in the long term as compared to those who use
older methods.

Annals of Internal Medicine, July 10, 2012 

 

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