Growing use of insulin devices may improve diabetes management

Washington, June 9 (ANI): A new study has shown that increased use of insulin delivery devices such as pens and pumps may help individuals with diabetes optimise blood glucose control and minimize their risk for chronic health problems associated with diabetes.

"Improved delivery devices for insulin treatment have increased patient compliance and acceptance of an intensive insulin strategy," which can result in significant reductions in long-term complications associated with poorly controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes, says Satish Garg, MD, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Colorado Denver, in his Editorial entitled "Impact of Insulin Delivery Devices in Diabetes Care."

These devices have automated glucose-controlled insulin infusion systems - combination of continuous glucose measurement with intravenous insulin infusion pumps. According to scientists, these devices are "underused, misused, or poorly used despite being readily available for some time now. They believe there is a need for expanded insurance coverage and education to drive increased adoption of the technology.

Riccardo Perfetti, MD, PhD, from Sanofi-Aventis (Paris, France), concludes that the most important factor is likely varied access to the devices in different regions of the world.

The study is published in the Special Supplement to Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. (ANI)