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Implantable, Continuous Sensor Reduced Glucose
Fluctuations in Type 1 Diabetes
posted 03/10/04
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.'
Source: Diabetes In Control.com: diabetesnews.com.
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