World Diabetes Day 2021 - Access to Diabetes Care - If Not Now, When?

Diabetes therapy is not the only area where digitization is being used. Because technological advancements such as real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) devices make it easier for persons with diabetes to comprehend the trajectory of their results. The traditional blood sugar test using test strips on the fingertip is no longer required.

For instance, with the Dexcom G6, the monitoring is carried out via a sensor in the subcutaneous fat deposits of the skin, where the tissue sugar is measured - and automatically on the receiving device or on the smartphone, and from there is presented on a smartwatch without the need to scan or measure manually. The Dexcom G6 sensor may also be worn on the back of the upper arm, which has long been a goal of many diabetics. Furthermore, pregnant diabetics are now officially permitted to utilize the CGM device. A huge relief because diabetes can cause difficulties during pregnancy, necessitating even stricter management and setting of levels.

Ulrike Thurm works as a diabetes adviser at DDG and specializes in helping women with diabetes who want to have children and pregnant women with diabetes. Readers - and their partners, of course - will find essential information as well as separate tips and tactics on what is maybe the most exciting moment of their life. The booklet is available through your diabetes team.

Diabetes care may be improved with the aid of modern technology. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has been shown to be useful in persons with type 2 diabetes who are receiving intensive insulin treatment. The current study employed the rtCGM system (rt = real-time) Dexcom G6 to evaluate the efficacy of CGM in persons with type 2 diabetes to traditional self-monitoring of blood sugar (SMBG) that only used basal insulin once or twice a day. In the general practitioner's office, injections of long- or medium-acting basal insulin are given without prandial insulin. The device employs a sensor to monitor tissue glucose levels in the interstitial fluid continually. Every 5 minutes, the value is automatically delivered to a receiving device or smartphone. After eight months of continuous glucose monitoring, mean HbA1c readings were considerably reduced (9.1 percent to 8.0 percent vs. SMBG 9 percent to 8.4 percent ). The mean time spent in the target range of 70 to 180 mg/dl (3.9 to 10.0 mmol/l) rose from 40% in the CGM group to 59% in the control group. The device employs a sensor to monitor tissue glucose levels in the interstitial fluid continually. Every 5 minutes, the value is automatically delivered to a receiving device or smartphone. After eight months of continuous glucose monitoring, mean HbA1c readings were considerably reduced (9.1 percent to 8.0 percent vs. SMBG 9 percent to 8.4 percent ). The mean time spent in the target range of 70 to 180 mg/dl (3.9 to 10.0 mmol/l) rose from 40% in the CGM group to 59% in the control group.

The Dexcom G6 is a constant glucose monitoring device (rtCGM) for all persons, including pregnant women. An auto-applicator is used to implant the sensor beneath the skin and monitor the glucose level in the interstitial fluid (fluid in the tissue). In addition, specific insulin pumps may be attached to the Dexcom G6.

"During the intervention of continuous interstitial glucose measurement using real-time measuring devices (rtCGM), the glucose concentration in the interstitial fluid of the subcutaneous adipose tissue is constantly monitored using a sensor," according to the G-BA. The sensor is then sent via a transmitter linked to it. The measured values are delivered to the receiving device automatically. Thus, the measured readings and the trend for the glucose content are continually output. In addition, the gadget warns of abnormally high or low glucose levels by using an alert feature with individually customizable limit values.