Awareness and Adoption of Latest Diabetes Technology for Diabetics

September 16 00:09 2021

For the most inspiring and exciting updates on diabetes treatments and technology international conferences, the diaTribe is the best source of information. Check out the conference highlights, breaking news, cutting-edge technology, and new results here. 

Type 2 Diabetes Enhanced Management

Dr. Steven Nissen shared the most recent Tirzepatide clinical trial results. It is a new drug to lower glucose (a combination of GLP-1 agonist and dual GIP) for all type 2 diabetics. Tirzepatide is a weekly once-injectable drug and has been tried several times. The SURPASS-1, 2, 3, and 5 trials investigated 5, 10, and 15 mg of tirzepatide doses for about 52 weeks. The results revealed that this new med reduced A1C by a minimum of 1.8% to a maximum of 2.5% points. It also resulted in weight loss for users by 15 to 25 pounds. 

Some side effects were also discovered such as diarrhea and nausea. To which Dr. Nissen explained that effects can be reduced or avoided through controlled dosages slowly and gradually. Dr. Steven Nissen also believes that tirzepatide can improve heart health, but there is no much data to prove it. 

In the technical field, Dr. Richard Bergenstal outlined the benefits that can be enjoyed by type 2 diabetics with remote and connected care management. He presented results obtained from a comparison of CGM and BGM use among the users having type-2 diabetes. As more and more people use CGM, he also demanded the collection and storage of data in a centralized location. Dr. Bergenstal believes that it will be beneficial if the user’s data needs to be automatically recorded and reported electronically in a regularized manner. 

Many healthcare teams and diabetics are widely using AGP (Ambulatory Glucose Profile), which regulated the CGM reporting. Dr. Richard Bergenstal ended this presentation by throwing light on how Artificial Intelligence will aid in food as well as therapeutic decision-making. Based on the data provided by the diabetics and by analyzing the past glucose data and patterns, Artificial Intelligence offered personalized treatment and food recommendations. 

Disparities in Adopting Diabetes Technology

Many presentations briefly discussed the adoption and awareness of diabetes technology among the specific group of diabetics. Matt Schmidt of Diabetes Life Solutions notes “Although using CGMs, AID systems and insulin pumps offers several benefits and can aid in controlling blood sugar levels with ease, there are some unique challenges faced by a certain population while using this technology. The healthcare teams need to closely work with people suffering from diabetes in adopting and accessing these user-friendly devices.” 

Dr. Shana Mencher’s presentation talked about racial disparities among the African American youth in adopting diabetes technology. To understand these disparities and address the health equity issue, researchers studied how type-1 African American youth and their healthcare professionals support the idea of using diabetes technology for better health. 

  1. Important roadblocks included fear and stigma of using diabetes tools and distrust of the healthcare community. 
  2. Family traditions and cultural diets or sports either facilitated or interfered with the use of technology.
  3. Diabetics belonging to this group believe that culturally designed education, peer support, and regular follow-ups by their caregivers will make it much simpler to use diabetes tools.

Dr. Lilli Priesterroth presentation was on the advantages and barriers of using the latest diabetes technology, mostly for people suffering from type-1 diabetes as well as disordered and dysfunctional eating habit. Although there is limited research on this, some of the findings are:

  • Insulin pumps and AID (automatic insulin delivery) successfully give the type-1 diabetics sufficient flexibility in their food and helps in improving dysfunctional or disordered eating. Utilizing this type of technology and help lower rates for life insurance with diabetes
  • CGMs may assist healthcare professionals to identify dysfunctional and disordered eating patterns. However, at present CGMs are not being used to treat or even diagnose people suffering from disordered eating. 


Use of CGM among type 2 diabetics shows major effects on long-term or intermediate-acting insulin

In ATTD’s one-day coverage, they shared Dr. Tom Marten’s presentation on findings derived from the MOBILE research. The presentation talked about the effects of regular glucose monitoring in type-2 diabetics on basal insulin. 

Around 175 participants, having an A1C of 9.1% on average, were asked to use either BGM or CGM for about 8 months. At the end of the 8th month of using CGM, the results were as follows: 

  • The users spent 3.8 hours more per day on average when compared to all those using BGM 
  • They spent 3.6 lesser hours on an average per day with glucose above 250 mg/dL
  • They had decreased A1C by 1.1% when compared to the BGM group who had only 0.6% reduction
  • They reported high satisfaction with the system

All in all, this research represents a huge success in using CGM effectively, and the team of investigators and staff needs to be commended.

Media Contact
Company Name: Diabetes Life Solutions
Contact Person: Matt Schmidt
Email: Send Email
Phone: 1-(888)-629-3064
Address:552 Washington Ave floor 2
City: Carnegie
State: Washington
Country: United States
Website: https://diabeteslifesolutions.com