Diabetes technology and devices transform the lives of people with diabetes

Patient Satisfaction and Clinical Efficacy of Novel Blood Glucose Meters Featuring Color Range Indicators in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study

Introduction Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) plays an important role in diabetes management. The Contour®Next One glucometer is a recent glucometer that delivers blood glucose results by an immediate color indicator to aware users when blood glucose is at a critical high or low. The main purpose of the study was to assess the impact of an application of a blood glucose meter (BGM) having a color range indicator on clinical characteristics and glucose monitoring satisfaction (GMS) among patients having type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods A total of 85 (male 42 and female 43) patients with T2D were switched to a BGM having smartLIGHT™ target range indicator (blood glucose meters featuring color range indicator) using Contour®Next One glucometer. Demographic data, as well as glycemic control, were collected at baseline and 12 weeks. At the time of the baseline and 12 weeks of the study, a trained interviewer gave the GMS survey questionnaire to every patient in order to collect the glucose monitoring satisfaction. In addition to GMS, a patient's perceptions of smartLIGHT™ feature satisfaction survey responses were also collected from the patients at the end of the study (12 weeks). Results Compared to baseline, a significant improvement was observed in the subdomains of glucose monitoring satisfaction survey (GMSS) score on openness (p=0.0001), emotional burden (p=0.0001), behavioral burden (p=0.0001), and trust (p=0.0001) at the end of the study. Overall, the total GMS score at baseline was 2.61 ± 0.51, which improved up to 3.16 ± 0.63 (p=0.0001) during the period of 12 weeks. The patient satisfaction with smartLIGHT™ survey outcomes exposed evidence of satisfaction among the study population at the end of the study. There were statistically insignificant reductions observed in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p=0.063) and the frequency of hypoglycemia (p=0.057) at the end of the study. Conclusions The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the subdomains of GMSS - openness, emotional burden, behavioral burden, and trust - at 12 weeks than at the baseline, with the increased total GMSS score. Similarly, high satisfaction with the color-based smartLIGHT™ feature was also observed at the end of the study.

USA Vs Europe: Who Is Leading the Diabetes Tech Race?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To highlight global advancements in diabetes technology and compare available technologies and device approval processes in the USA and Europe and their impact on safety and innovation.

RECENT FINDINGS

The last two decades have seen a rapid growth in diabetes technology driven by the impetus to improve glycemic control, avoid complications of insulin therapy, improve quality of life, and hand more autonomy to individuals with diabetes. Meanwhile, changes to regulatory processes in the USA and Europe aim to facilitate entry of new devices into the marketplace. Major strides have been made in digitization of insulin pens, continuous glucose monitors and their integration with insulin pumps, automated insulin delivery systems, and closed-loop insulin pump systems. The centralized regulatory body in the USA and more decentralized approval bodies in Europe have led to differences in the rate of market availability of diabetes devices. While both US and Europe systems have different advantages and disadvantages in device approval, they continue to struggle with balancing accelerated device access with adequate clinical evidence and monitoring to ensure safety of such devices.