- Diabetes Research News
- May 25, 2018
Are Artificial Pancreas Systems Effective in Treating Type 1 Diabetes?
There are many options available for treating type 1 diabetes from regular finger pricks and injections of insulin to continuous glucose monitoring systems to artificial pancreases and more. However, each person must find what works best for them in the management of their disease.
One treatment method that has undergone recent study is the use of artificial pancreas systems. According to researchers led by Eleni Bekiari, MD, Ph.D., at the Clinical Research and Evidence-Based Medicine Unit at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, these systems can provide positive results for some patients in managing their T1D. Throughout a series of 40 studies encompassing 1027 participants, artificial pancreas systems were found to not only be safe but also an effective line of treatment.
The study compared several different factors of single and dual hormone systems but mainly focused on the percentage of time normal glycemic levels were maintained. These results were measured against patients using standard insulin-based treatments. The study found that those individuals using the artificial pancreas systems experienced higher durations of time where their blood sugar levels were in the normoglycemic range, including overnight – 15.15% for artificial pancreas systems versus 9.62% for insulin-based treatment. There was also less deviation between blood sugar levels.
The researchers found that “artificial pancreas systems are an efficacious and safe approach for treating outpatients with type 1 diabetes.” More research and clinical trials are necessary to further explore the benefits and long-term outcomes of these systems. The Diabetes Research Connection is committed to supporting early career scientists in advancing their research and delving more deeply into topics related to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of type 1 diabetes. The DRC provides essential funding for researchers to carry out peer-reviewed, novel research projects. To learn more about current projects and support these efforts, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.