isCGMs May Reduce Hospital Visits | Tech Thursday
A Belgian study shows that intermittently scanned CGMs (isCGM) can reduce episodes of hypoglycemia and diabetes-related hospital visits in people with type 1 diabetes which can improve or stabilize their quality of life.
In this study conducted by Pieter Gillard, MD, Ph.D., the assistant head of the clinic in the department of endocrinology at University Hospitals Leuven and associate professor at the University of Leuven and colleagues, they reviewed episodes of hypoglycemia, DKA and A1c levels and quality of life measures in a study of 1,913 adult patients with type 1 diabetes.
There were decreases noted in hypoglycemia, DKA, diabetes-related hospital visits, and work sick days. The “quality of life” measures were noted as “overall stable;” A1c levels did not appear to reflect any changes in study participants.
Users of isCGM rated the system as much more convenient than fingerstick glucose testing. Although A1c levels did not change, people using isCGM had greater satisfaction in managing their diabetes.
“Patients prefer to use isCGM compared to fingersticks” – Anne Peters, MD, Director, USC Clinical Diabetes Program
Using an “isCGM” can be helpful for clinicians, CDCES, nurses, and patients in reviewing BG levels stored within the isCGM device.
Click here for more information.
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer
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Small Patch Insulin Delivery | Tech Thursday
An exciting new insulin delivery system for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes might be on the horizon!
Designed by Zhen Gu, Ph.D. and a team of researchers from the University of North Carolina, this new system, a small glucose-responsive insulin patch, could be the next generation of insulin delivery.
“We have designed a patch for diabetes that works fast, is easy to use, and is made from nontoxic, biocompatible materials,” said Dr. Gu, professor in the Joint UNC/NC State Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Gu and colleagues have been researching this innovative new insulin delivery system for several years. The small patch, approximately the size of a quarter, could be placed anywhere on the body. Through glucose response technology, the patch could detect hyperglycemia and release insulin through micro-needles. The insulin response would bring the blood glucose level down to the target range and potentially keep it at target for up to 9 hours.
This is encouraging science for people using insulin for their diabetes management!
Click here and here for more information on the science behind this future technology of insulin delivery.
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer
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Emergency Preparedness & Diabetes | CDC, ADA, & DDRC Advisement
Taking care of ourselves, our families and our patients are our first priorities at this time.
It is very quiet in most neighborhoods this morning; no commuter cars on the streets, no school bus noises, no sounds of children playing. This desolate environment reminds us that there is a lot of unknown for all of us.
It is so important right now to make sure we are all prepared for social distancing and flattening the curve of the spread of this pathogen.
We want to offer a few resources for those living with diabetes to prepare for what’s ahead and how to manage stress during this time. Endocrinologists are urging people that use insulin to plan ahead and have extra supplies on hand.
- DDRC Emergency Preparedness Kit
- ADA Treatment & Care Fact Sheet
- CDC Guidelines for Protecting Yourself and Others from the Coronavirus
- CDC Steps to Take if You’re Sick
- CDC Tips for Managing Stress
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer
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Self-Care Apps Can Improve Diabetes Care | Free Resource Friday
A new study, published by JAMA Network Open, found that people living with diabetes can benefit from using self-management apps on their computers and mobile devices.
These tools offer a platform for individuals to have more control over their care by increasing communication with their healthcare team, monitoring lab results and medication refills.
They found that by giving people living with diabetes access to a mobile and computer-based self-management tools, their medication adherence and glycemic control improved.
The study evaluated 111,463 individuals who already had an oral diabetes prescription at baseline with no insulin use from April 2015 to December 2017. Researchers evaluated medical adherence to oral medications by monitoring the “percentage of days covered” (PDC) and by measuring glycemic levels.
For computer-only access results were:
- PDC increase of 1.16 (95% CI, 0.63 to 1.70) percentage points
- HbA1c level change of -0.06 (95% CI, -0.08 to -0.03) percentage points
The study also tested the results for combining both computer-based and mobile access. They found that combining the two, they were able to see further improvements.
For computer and mobile access the results were:
- PDC increase of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.10 to 2.23) percentage points
- HbA1c level change of -0.13 (95% CI, -0.16 to -0.10) percentage points
As the JAMA Network Open suggests, “these functions are particularly useful for improving the quality of care for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, that require ongoing self-management.”
These results indicate that by offering web-based self-management tools to individuals, medication adherence and glycemic control can improve over time.
You can read more about this study here.
For a list of Highly Rated Apps for Diabetes, click here.
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Tech Thursday | Improving Access to Diabetes Health Tech
A new series of recommendations from JDRF/UK has set out to help ensure people with type 1 diabetes can improve access to wearable technology to manage their diabetes.
JDRF Pathway to Choice program released a report capturing the barriers, motivations, and opportunities of people with type 1 diabetes regarding medical technology.
This program in the UK aims to build awareness and access to insulin pumps, CGM’s and Flash glucose meters for persons with type 1 diabetes.
The report has three recommendations;
- More patient time spent with specialist healthcare educators.
- Mandatory training covering type 1 diabetes technology for doctors and nurses.
- Clinical commissioning groups to reach out to lower socio-economic groups that might be overlooked.
Karen Addington, JDRF UK’s Chief Executive states, “JDRF believes everyone who wants or would benefit from type 1 diabetes technology should gain access to it”.
As diabetes educators, nurses, doctors, dietitians, and care-givers, we support this effort in the UK for expanding access to technology that can assist people with type 1 diabetes for tighter, healthier glucose control.
Looking forward to the time that this access might be available for all persons with type 1 diabetes!
Read more by clicking here.
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Technology Thursday Content Writer
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Tech Thursday | New t:slim X2 Insulin Pumps with Control-IQ Technology
Tandem Diabetes Care announced the commercial USA launch of the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Control-IQ Technology.
The Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ is a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system.
The Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ is first and only system cleared to deliver automatic correction boluses in addition to adjusting insulin to prevent high and low blood glucose levels. The system integrates with the Dexcom G6 CGM which requires no fingersticks for calibration or diabetes treatment decisions. The goal is to increase time in range (70-180 mg/dL) for users.
Tandem President & CEO John Sheridan stated study participants and investigators have described Control-IQ Technology as “life-changing,” “easy to use,” and “a new standard of care in insulin therapy management.”
Control-IQ Technology system:
- Adjusts insulin delivery to help prevent high and low blood glucose levels
- Automatically delivers a correction bolus
- Features Exercise and Sleep activities
- Requires zero fingersticks with using the Dexcom G6 CGM
Other variables used in this hybrid closed system are:
- insulin on board
- predicting rise and fall of blood glucose levels
- suspending basal rate if a drop in glucose level is predicted
- increasing basal rate if elevated blood glucose levels are predicted
Individual emails are being sent out to in-warranty t:slim X2 users for possible upgrades.
Technology is moving forward with improved automation and usability which is good news for people living with diabetes.
Read more here.
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Technology Thursday | Keeping an “Eye” on Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes technology moves forward with the creation of an LED contact lens that can diagnose diabetes and assists with the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. A research team from Pohung University of Science and Technology in South Korea has developed a smart light-emitting diode (LED) contact lens for diagnosis of diabetes and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
The contact lens will not be able to do a real-time blood glucose check but the lens could offer treatment for retinopathy. There is a possible commercialization in the future in collaboration with PIH Biomed and Stanford University.
On the same note: Apple’s science department has also been working on a contact lens to check a blood glucose level in real-time. It is considered to be one of their “secret” research projects from 2017.
As is often the case, a fingerstick BG would be the standard for the most accurate glucose levels for now. The potential for future developments is exciting!
We will keep an “eye” out for future developments in this exciting field of diabetes research.
Read more at Verdict Medical Devices & CNBC.
Written by Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our resident Tech Thursday Content Writer
Welcome Catherine Cullinane RN, CDCES, our new Technology Thursday Content Writer!
Catherine has been a nurse for 30 plus years, and a Diabetes Educator for 20 years. Her passion is helping people empower themselves with behavioral change for optimal health. Type 1 diabetes management ( insulin pumps, CGMs, and new diabetes technology) is one of her major interests and focus.
Catherine has been a Program Coordinator for the American Diabetes Association’s Education Recognition Program in both Wyoming, and San Francisco, California. She has worked in out-patient clinics, collaborated with hospital in-patient diabetes management, and is a pump and CGM trainer.
She has traveled the world with her own insulin pump, and more recently a CGM. The latest and greatest in type 1 diabetes management continues to amaze her. Catherine loves to travel, rock climb, hike up mountains, read, cook and eat healthy foods.
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Sugar Sensing Pacifier Could Spare Heartache & Pricks
Researchers may have developed a way for parents to avoid having to prick their babies with type 1 to check blood sugar. A sugar sensing pacifier collects saliva, tests the glucose levels, and wirelessly sends result to a receiver which the parent or caregiver can see.
This device was tested on adults first to see if the concept would work. Initial results were positive, showing changes in saliva sugar levels which corresponded to changes in blood sugar levels. Researchers noted that there was great correlation in the study and that they were able to tell when blood glucose was high with great accuracy.
The small parts involved in the pacifier, and the fact that saliva was tested after adults were instructed to brush their teeth (unlikely to be replicated in infants), may be barriers to a patent and this device getting on the market. Researchers are hopeful to find ways to overcome these and be able to offer the market a truly non-invasive option for babies with type 1.
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