Daily realities of diabetic patients

The new version, sold under its generic name, would be priced 50 percent lower than the branded version, at $137.35 per vial or $265.20 for a five-pack of pens.

Here are some of the most promising technological developments to manage and treat diabetes.

For Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk for diabetic retinopathy, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in JAMA Ophthalmology. Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, M.D., from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan, Taiwan, and colleagues examined the correlation between statin therapy and development of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia.

In this report, wireless sensor-embedded socks designed for daily wear are introduced, which perform continuous temperature monitoring of the feet of persons with diabetes in the home environment. Combined with a mobile app, this wearable device informs the wearer about temperature increases in one foot relative to the other, to facilitate early detection of ulcers and timely intervention.

The system combines data gathered from a continuous blood glucose monitor and smart algorithms to drive the activation of an insulin pump. The system can predict glucose levels based on its continuous learning capability that adjusts to each individual patient.

The winner, Whisk, was selected for its innovative approach to helping patients with type 2 diabetes manage their meals. Whisk uses an AI-powered ‘Culinary Coach’ to provide personalised food recommendations based on a user’s flavour preferences.

New research analyzed global pollution statistics and found that pollution particles could be responsible for some 3.2 million new cases of diabetes.

The dark side of diabetes: More than half of people living with diabetes have been treated for mental health problems, according to a new study by leading mental health provider.

'One colleague jokes that I practice diabetes care as a spectator sport'

A group of Italian researchers based in Japan have been working on a device that uses light to estimate blood glucose concentration. They claim to have achieved a proof-of-concept that is accurate enough to continue toward product development. We’re naturally skeptical, so we spoke with Stefano Valenzi, the project leader, to find out more about how the Glucoscanner works, and what needs to be done before it turns into a product.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, was also among four signatories to a letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb calling on the agency to speed up approvals of generic versions of insulin products.

There is evidence to suggest that use of a closed-loop insulin delivery system decreases the likelihood of hypo- and hyperglycemia as well as increases the amount of time the patient is within the normoglycemic range; however, most of the available studies have been of short duration with relatively few participants. This study’s aim was to compare the efficacy of hybrid closed-loop systems with the more commonly used sensor-augmented insulin pump system in patients with type 1 diabetes who had elevated HbA1c levels.

It has been shown in previous studies that, in general, medication cost has an inversely proportional relationship to adherence. It is currently unknown if this correlation is applicable to patients’ use of insulin, and little research has been conducted on the topic. The authors of this study hypothesize that insulin cost can affect a patient’s likelihood of adherence to a prescribed regimen. Consequently, the aim of this study is to evaluate the validity of that hypothesis.

Research carried out by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School found that smokers were more likely to gain weight and develop type 2 diabetes in comparison to non-smokers after inhaling 'hookah' fumes.

Ignoring diabetes can lead to chronic complications, many of which do not emerge immediately but can silently build up over a long period. Here are four health problems one could potentially face as a result. 

• Around 700 people get diagnosed with diabetes every day in the UK. That’s the equivalent of one person every two minutes
• Three quarters (75%) of young adults (16-34) believe that their mental health has been negatively affected by their diabetes.
• Almost half (46%) say that more awareness of diabetes-specific mental health issues would help prevent high levels of stress, anxiety and depression and other mental health problems, associated with having diabetes
• 43% say mental health education and assessment should be integrated into on-going diabetes health care.

To offer comfort to people with diabetes, Hindustan Syringes & Medical Devices (HMD) has indigenously developed ‘Dispovan Insulin Pen Needles’, reinforcing India’s capability to produce world class medical devices.

• Three quarters (75%) of young adults (16-34) believe that their mental health has been negatively affected by their diabetes 
• Almost half (46%) say that more awareness of diabetes-specific mental health issues would help prevent high levels of stress, anxiety and depression and other mental health problems, associated with having diabetes
• 43% say mental health education and assessment should be integrated into on-going diabetes health care 

The Thomy uses a temporary tattoo kit that not only gives the child a cool graphic on their skin to show off, the tattoos are also designed to help demarcate parts of the body where the shot is to be take. It’s important to make sure you don’t take two shots in the same place, so as to prevent lumps of fat from developing.