ADA Adds Section on Technology to Annual Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association has added a section on diabetes technology to its Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2019.

Technologies discussed in the section include insulin pens and pumps, meters and monitors for blood glucose levels, and devices that both measure glucose and deliver insulin.

Among the recommendations:

• Most patients who use multiple insulin injections each day or pump therapy should access glucose levels using self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). (Grade B recommendation)
• Sensor-augmented pump therapy could be considered in children, adolescents, and adults for the improvement of glycemic control without increasing overall or severe hypoglycemia. (Grade A recommendation)
• Real-time CGM, when used in conjunction with intensive insulin regimens, is useful for lowering HbA1c levels in adults with type 1 diabetes not meeting glycemic targets. (Grade A recommendation)
• Automated insulin delivery systems can be considered for children (older than 7 years) and adults with type 1 diabetes to improve glycemic control. (Grade B recommendation)

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Chamberlain JJ, Doyle-Delgado K, Peterson L, Skolnik N. Diabetes technology: review of the 2019 American Diabetes Association standards of medical care in diabetes [published online August 13, 2019]. Ann Intern Med. DOI: 10.7326/M19-1638