A new method of measuring blood glucose levels in people
with diabetes is a significant advance in the management of the disease, reports
NaijaAgroNet.
According to an independent assessment by University of
Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Derby Teaching
Hospitals experts, the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor has been available
on prescription in the United Kingdom from November 2017.
NaijaAgroNetgathered
it works through a white disc adhered to the arm which connects remotely to a
small monitoring device.
This design, NaijaAgroNet
gathered is to replace the recommended 4-10 painful finger-stick blood glucose
tests required each day for the self-management of diabetes.
Lead researcher from The University of Manchester and a
Consultant Diabetologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University
NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Lalantha Leelarathna, noted that the disc is replaced
every 14 days and could also be purchased by people with diabetes.
“Type 1 Diabetes can occur at any age but typically presents
in childhood and requires lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes is usually
diagnosed in people over 30-year-old and is initially treated without
medication or with lifestyle modification and/or tablets,” Leelarathna said.
People with Type 1 Diabetes, Dr. Leelarathna said, should
measure their blood glucose many times a day so they are able to adjust their
insulin dose, stressing that having a blood glucose which is too high increases
the risk of diabetes complications such as eye disease, foot ulcers and kidney
disease.
Glucose levels which are too low can make the person with
diabetes feel unwell and unable to function. If left untreated, low glucose can
cause coma and seizures.
“Despite major progress in the care of people living with
Type 1 diabetes, many fail to achieve their target blood sugar level – and that
risks major complications.
“A key barrier in achieving near normal glucose levels is
this need for frequent fingerstick blood glucose monitoring and that’s down to
pain and inconvenience.
“Our review concludes that The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose
monitor works well for both adults and children.
“The studies show it
is accurate, comfortable and easy to use. It is associated with a reduction in
low blood sugar levels, improvements in glycated haemoglobin levels and adverse
events are low.
“Our assessment of the available evidence shows that for
most patients, it is a game changer.”
Dr Emma Wilmot from Derby Teaching Hospitals said: “From our
perspective, the FreeStyle Libre is a significant advance in the management of
diabetes. Many users describe it as ‘life changing’.
‘The challenge in the UK is to now ensure that it reaches
people living with diabetes. We are delighted that this device became available
on the NHS drug tariff in November 2017.
“However, it is clear from the Diabetes UK map of access
that this does not necessarily mean that it will make it into the hands of
those who might benefit from the development of a postcode lottery for access would
further add to the variation in diabetes care across the country and may
adversely impact on outcomes.’
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