Continuous Glucose Monitoring Increases Diabetes Control
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In a study funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and published in the Sept. 8 ,2008 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that adults gained substantially better control of their diabetes when using continuous glucose monitoring versus a group using conventional, intermittent blood sugar management. Improved diabetes control was determined by a hemoglobin A1c test, which measures how effective blood sugar control is over three months.
Patients on continuous glucose monitoring had a disposable blood sugar sensor placed under the skin. The device used in the study monitored blood glucose about every five minutes. The sensor was worn for a few days and then replaced. A pager-like device displayed blood glucose levels on a continuous basis. Data was received from a transmitter which had received it from the sensor.
"Getting better control of diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring is almost certainly likely to equate with fewer long-term complications. This will have substantial long-term benefit on quality of life and reduce health care costs", said lead researcher Dr. Roy W. Beck, from the Jaeb Center for Health Research in Tampa, Fla.
