Devices

  The FDA has approved Dexcom’s G4 PLATINUM Continuous Glucose Monitoring System with Share. The Dexcom Share receiver uses a secure wireless connection via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) between a patient’s receiver and an app on the patient’s smartphone to transmit glucose information to apps on the mobile devices of …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP There is a steep age-related increase in the prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance which applies equally to both sexes. Overall, diabetes prevalence is higher in men, but there are more women with diabetes. In devel­oping countries, most people with diabetes …

An ultra-thin, flexible sensor that sticks to the skin like a temporary tattoo can detect a person’s blood glucose levels… “The sensor represents the first example of an easy-to-wear flexible tattoo-based epidermal diagnostic device combining reverse iontophoretic extraction of interstitial glucose and an enzyme-based amperometric biosensor,” the researchers wrote. In …

The FDA has approved the Maestro Rechargeable System for treatment of obesity… The Maestro Rechargeable System is indicated for treatment of patients aged at least 18 years with a BMI of 35 to 45 with at least one obesity-related condition and who have failed to lose weight on a weight …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP The vast majority of cases of diabetes in children are type 1, caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells in the pancre­atic islets. A steady increase in the incidence of type 1 dia­betes has been reported worldwide (average increase 2.5-3% per year …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP Pregestational diabetes is the most common medical problem that complicates pregnancy, affecting 1 in 264 births (0.38%) in the UK in 2002–3, with over 25% occurring in women with type 2 diabetes. The Kaiser Permanente database recorded an average rate of 1.3% …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP Exercise Regular physical exercise is an important component of the management and prevention of type 2 diabetes (Figure 26.1). Aerobic exercise, in particular, and resistance exercise improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control. Blood glucose and lipid profiles improve, as well as insulin …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP Particular groups of patients with diabetes are at risk of different psychological problems (Table 25.1). Many chil­dren show remarkable resilience to the diagnosis of diabetes, but about one-third have some temporary psychological distress, mostly ‘adjustment disorders’ such as difficulty in sleeping, depression, …

Interoperability protocols unveiled for diabetes technologies… The communication protocols define how diabetes devices such as insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitors talk with each other and with other devices such as smart phones and computers. They were developed jointly by JDRF and the Center for Global eHealth …

Rudy Bilous, MD, FRCP Richard Donnelly, MD, PHD, FRCP, FRACP Diabetes affects the cellular biochemistry of skin and connective tissues, in particular collagen synthesis and struc­ture, as well as cutaneous microvascular blood flow. Several non-infective skin conditions are associated with type 1 and/ or type 2 diabetes (Box 24.1). Diabetic dermopathy (‘shin …