34 | March• 2019
DIABETES: WHAT’S NEW AND WHAT’S NEXT
“There are well-known studies that
show if you can reduce the number
of medications that patients have to
take, then you improve their adher-
ence,” Dr Lawrence says.FOR TYPE 1 DIABETESThe Artificial
Pancreas
The so-called artificial
pancreas, referred to
as a ‘hybrid-closed
loop’ system, is a
device that mim-
ics the blood sugar
function of a healthy
pancreas. It has three
parts: a sensor, placed
under the skin, for
continuous glucose
monitoring; a laptop
or smart phone com-
ponent that receives
information from the
sensor, performs a
series of algorithms
to predict glucose
levels and directs them to the pump;
and the pump, which delivers insulin
as required to tissue under the skin. A
continuous loop is created without the
need for human intervention.
HOW IT WORKS When Anthony
Tudela, 44, does mountain-bike
racing, he’s no longer concerned that
the intense physical exertion will
lead to too-low blood sugar, known
as hypoglycaemia. Since 2017, he’ssurgery for people with moderate to
severe obesity and diabetes.
Double-Duty Drugs
These tablets, which combine two
diabetes drugs into one medication,
have become more commonplace.
The availability of particular drugs
differs in each coun-
try, but a number
of combination
diabetes therapies
are widely available
in Australia, New
Zealand, Singapore
and Malaysia. The
trend gives people
fewer tablets to swal-
low at each sitting,
making it easier to
follow treatment
plans.
“They can end up
with three different
diabetes medica-
tions,” Dr Lawrence
says, “and that’s
before you’ve con-
sidered that they’ll be taking treat-
ment, potentially, for their high blood
pressure and their cholesterol level.”
HOW THEY WORK Tw o -i n- one
treatment is quickly becoming
standard for people living with
type 2 diabetes. Up to 43 per cent of
them now take two or more diabetes
drugs, according to a recent interna-
tional study. They may help diabetes
patients live healthier lives.
AN ARTIFICIAL
PANCREAS
delivers a
quantity of
insulin
“according to
the blood-
sugar level of
the patient”