Page 10 - Diabetes

NEWS&
NOTES

DON’T STICK THAT FINGER?

any people with diabetes go through an unpleasant
Mdaily routine of sticking their fingers to draw blood so
they can keep track of their blood sugar. But a potentially
groundbreaking new study suggests they might not need to.
The main purpose of finger-sticking is to monitor
the effects of insulin therapy. But most diabetes patients
don’t receive insulin therapy. Even so, they are generally
advised to follow the finger-sticking procedure, a practice daily, but also received a daily Internet message of instruc-
that has recently been the subject of some debate in the tion or encouragement. After the year was up, researchers
diabetes community. In the new study, researchers at the arrived at three conclusions. First, there were no significant
University of North Carolina School of Medicine examined differences in blood glucose control among the three groups.
the merits of requiring people with diabetes to test their Second, no significant differences in health-related quality
blood sugar daily. of life were seen. Third, the researchers found no significant
For the yearlong study, researchers enlisted 450 diabetes differences in low blood sugar, emergency room visits, or
patients and divided them into three groups. Group One hospitalizations. Equally noted, there was no difference in
did no blood sugar monitoring. Group Two measured blood the number of patients who had to begin insulin treatment
sugar once a day. Group Three not only checked blood sugar during the year of the study. †

ANSWERS

1. B. Among the options listed above, only fingersticks. However, the Dexcom G5 Mobile body mass index in people who had Type 2
implantable devices that allow for continuous applicator uses a needle to insert the sensor diabetes. They also lost weight.
glucose monitoring are approved by the Food in the area best suited for your body type. 5. False. For example, insulin pumps are clas-
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and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring sified as “durable medical equipment,” and
States. The FDA recently approved another system requires a small sensor wire placed many private insurance companies often cover
continuous glucose monitoring device indicated beneath the skin’s surface. Blood sugar levels at least a portion of the costs. If your doctor
for people with diabetes who are 18 years of age are measured by waving a wand-like device determines you might benefit from using such a
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or older, Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose above the area of the sensor’s location. Once device, he or she will have to submit paperwork
Monitoring System. In 2017, the Massachusetts fully charged, the device can be worn for up to to the insurance company. In these cases, it’s
Institute of Technology and Harvard University 10 days. Researchers are continuing to develop often helpful to work with medical profession-
announced they had developed a tattoo that new methods to monitor blood sugar. Some als who specialize in diabetes, such as certified
detects glucose changes known as Dermal of these devices have already been approved diabetes educators or endocrinologists. Also,
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Abyss. However, the device was developed for in other countries, with some manufacturers newer devices such as the FreeStyle Libre Flash
research purposes only. eyeing the U.S. market, so they may make Glucose Monitoring System are less likely to be
2. A,B,C,D. Apps like Glucose Buddy help users their way here soon. covered by insurance, but this could very well
track what they eat. In addition to meal-plan- 4. A,B,C,D. Both mySugr Logbook/Roche change the longer this and other new devices
ning, Diabetes:M tracks lab results, schedules Accu-Chek Connect Integration and One Drop remain on the market.
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meals and sets reminders to check your blood Premium employ Bluetooth technology to Contact your insurance company to find
sugar. Numerous apps can help people with perform functions including data transmission out which devices your plan covers or the
diabetes and other conditions make smart to other devices to help track readings. You device manufacturers for information on how
choices when dining out. Diabetes Connect can access various apps such as Diabetes Pilot to navigate the insurance process. There are
tracks meals as well as medication administra- on your iPad and MyDario on your tablet or thousands of health apps, but most of them
tion and blood sugar levels. You can also share other mobile devices. Several smartwatches are not FDA-approved, so, as you have prob-
these data with your doctor. These are just a have features that help you monitor your ably already guessed, insurance does not cover
few of many apps, so you might want to shop blood sugar. For example, Dexcom G5 now many diabetes apps. However, some insurance
around before deciding. Also, some apps are has a mobile app that is compatible with companies partner with certain companies that
free, while others require a subscription or Android phones and watches. Video games have apps, so it wouldn’t hurt to check to see
charge a fee for premium features. that require players to engage in physical what your insurance company covers before
3. C. Right now, continuous glucose monitoring activity can improve physical health as well as purchasing any apps. †
devices such as the Dexcom and, most recently, blood sugar. According to an article published
the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring in the British Medical Journal in 2013, playing Frieda Wiley, PharmD, BCGP, RPh, is a freelance medi- Shutterstock/Montri Thipsorn
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System are the only FDA-approved medical Nintendo’s Wii Fit Plus for 12 weeks reduced cal writer and consultant pharmacist based in the piney
devices that monitor blood sugar without A1C levels, fasting blood glucose levels and woods of East Texas.
8 March/April 2018