New technology does better job in controlling diabetes

[Guest guest]

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 s

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.

ls of Internal Medicine, July 10, 2012