Implantable,
Continuous Sensor Reduced Glucose Fluctuations
in Type 1 Diabetes
Adults with type 1
diabetes experienced decreased periods of high
or low blood sugar when using a long-term
implantable, continuous glucose sensor.
Researchers at the
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center's
Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes
conducted this first study of the sensor and its
affects on glucose excursions, or periods of
hypo- or hyperglycemia.
The study showed that when participants observed
data from the implanted continuous glucose
monitor, they experienced 47 percent less time
in hypoglycemia, a state of low or below normal
blood sugar levels. The participants also spent
25 percent less time in hyperglycemic states, or
states of high blood sugar.
Researchers believe this improvement in
excursions from normal glucose levels is a
direct result of the patients' ability to
continuously see their glucose data.
'The availability of continuous glucose data
allowed patients to predict hypo- or
hyperglycemia and take necessary action by
eating a snack or by taking additional insulin,'
explained Dr. Satish Garg, a professor at the
center and lead author of the study.
The sensor, made by privately held DexCom Inc.
of San Diego, Calif., is about the size and
shape of an AA battery. It was implanted for six
months just under the skin in the abdomen of 15
adults with type 1 diabetes. The participants
then used an externally-worn, pager-sized
receiver that received wireless-transmitted
information.
The sensor device was not only capable of
providing study participants continuous glucose
level data, but it could also provide auditory
or vibratory alerts when glucose levels were
high, or above 11.1 mmol/l (more than 200
mg/dl), or low, or below 5.6 mmol/l (less than
100 mg/dl).
For the first phase of the study, both the study
participants and the doctors were blinded from
the data, and the data was simply monitored and
stored by the sensor.
For the second phase, the data was made
available to the participants and their
healthcare providers. During this time, the high
and low blood sugar alerts were also activated.
During both periods, participants made changes
to their insulin dosages or diets as needed.
Participants also routinely checked their blood
sugar using finger-stick glucose monitors to
assure their implanted sensors were working
correctly.
At the conclusion of this observation, the
research team found the patients were more
successful in maintaining normal sugar levels,
or euglycemia, when they had continuous access
to the data.
'This is particularly important because the
biggest hurdle in diabetes management is that
patients dislike poking themselves in the finger
even more than giving themselves their
injections,' Dr. Garg said.
'Doctors ask people with diabetes to monitor
themselves as often as possible, and now this
less painful and less stressful continuous
monitoring seems to make their sugar management
more successful. Also, continuous glucose data
may make implementation of intensive diabetes
management more acceptable.'
This article comes from: http://www.diabetesnews.com
Advertisement
CommAve, LLC has developed glucokitT for
people with diabetes that test on-the-go. It
integrates most meters and accessories into a
small, pocketsize unit. It makes carrying and
testing easier so you're more likely to test
when you should. http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/ads/glucokit/dest.shtml
