Free provision of blood glucose sensors improves diabetic control in a children's diabetes clinic

✍ Scribed by Page, MD ;Moran, M ;Holland, P ;Bodansky, HJ

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 399 KB
• Volume: 11
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1357-8170
• DOI: 10.1002/pdi.1960110206

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

We wished to examine the effect of free provision of miniaturised glucose sensors on glycaemic control in our children's diabetes clinic. Thirty‐six children were studied over six months. Those already using meters formed a control group (n=11). The remainder were randomised according to birthdate either to receive a glucose sensor (n=15) or to continue visually reading blood glucose strips (n=10) Views on the sensors were sought by questionnaire after the study period. HbA~1c~ measurements (equating to glycaemic control) did not change in the two control groups but fell in the intervention group from 9.7% (6.3−12.6), median (range) at entry to 9.1% (5.8−12.5) at six months (p=0.035), indicating improved control. Children and parents liked the sensor and reported testing frequency increased. If this improvement of control is maintained the reduction in subsequent morbidity will justify the free provision of sensors to diabetic children.