Continuous insulin infusor and biological treatments, "future of type 1 diabetes management"
Jano.es · February 10, 2011 These and other advances have been discussed during the XXVI Course of Practical Theoretical Update in Diabetes, recently held in Barcelona.
Technology has undoubtedly improved the quality of life of people with diabetes in the last decade.One of the most relevant advances is, according to experts, continuous insulin infusor, which is estimated to use between 3% and 4% of people with type 1 diabetes in Spain.
In addition, its use combined with a continuous glucose sensor will be, as explained1 ”.
"If patients make use of the data offered by the sensor in real time," says Dr. Conget, or at least 70%, there is no doubt that the combined system works and the patient obtains good controls. "Its use is indicated for those with type 1 diabetes with multiple doses of insulin who do not get good control of their disease.Currently, its use in Spain is anecdotal since it is an unchanged expensive system, in fact, “it is estimated that there are no more than 10 people using this combined pump and sensor system in Spain,” adds this specialist.
Knowing the use of these devices is one of the topics that has been addressed during the XXVI Practical Theoretical Update Course in Diabetes, organized by the Diabetes Foundation and the Clinic Hospital of Barcelona and that recently held in this center.In the words of Doctor Enric Esmatjes, Head of the Diabetes Unit of the Clinic and course director, together with Dr. Conget.
Regarding the technological advances applied to the treatment of diabetes, Dr. Esmatjes has indicated the evolution of research towards the design of the artificial pancreas: “Some models are being developed with a very ingenious design that uses glucagon and insulin together with aSensor that continuously monitors blood glucose levels.It is totally different from what we had so far, and perhaps in the next five years we will have important advances in this regard. ”
Diabetological Education, the key
Despite the existence of tools such as infusors or sensors, Dr. Esmatjes warns that "a good diabetological education remains the key for the patient to get good disease control."For this, it is very important that health professionals treating people with diabetes know aspects such as performing a group of group diabetes or an individual interview with a person with diabetes, something that does not exist too much experience, according to this expert.
"A well -educated patient will manage and manage his illness much better than the one who has not received a good diabetological education," he explains."The index of acute and chronic complications is clearly related to diabetological education."
In this regard, in the opinion of Dr. Esmatjes, "although it has improved, not all people with diabetes in Spain have access to a good diabetological education, so that it is one of the great pending chapters today."To achieve this, this specialist advocates regularizing and regulating diabetological education with the purpose that "it is uniform, has minimal, is structured and taught by trained professionals."
On the other hand, Dr. Conget recalls that currently and due to overload in the consultations "very few patients visit the specialist doctor four times a year recommended by clinical guides."