| Related Articles |
Closed-loop insulin delivery in end-of-life care: a case report.
Diabet Med. 2019 Apr 19;:
Authors: Boughton CK, Bally L, Hartnell S, Wilinska M, Coll AP, Evans M, Stettler C, Hovorka R
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Glucose management for people with diabetes approaching the end of life can be very challenging. The aim is to balance a minimally invasive approach with avoidance of symptomatic hypo- and hyperglycaemia.
CASE REPORT: We present a case of a hospitalized individual whose glucose was managed with closed-loop insulin delivery within a randomized controlled trial setting during a period of terminal illness. During the time in which closed-loop insulin delivery was used, glucose control was safe, with no glucose-related harm. The mean ± sd sensor glucose was 11.3 ± 4.3 mmol/l, percentage of time spent in target glucose range between 6 and 15 mmol/l was 70.5%, time spent in hypoglycaemia was 2.0% and time spent in significant hyperglycaemia >20 mmol/l was 2.6%.
CONCLUSION: Closed-loop systems can accommodate personalized glucose targets and highly variable insulin requirements. Factory-calibrated continuous glucose sensors and insulin pump therapy are less intrusive than finger-stick glucose measurements and insulin injections, respectively. Closed-loop systems may provide a safer and less burdensome approach to glucose management towards the end of life. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
PMID: 31002426 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]