scholarly journals Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the Real World Using Photosurveillance of #Dexcom on Instagram: Exploratory Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Litchman ◽  
Sarah E Wawrzynski ◽  
Whitney S Woodruff ◽  
Joseph B Arrington ◽  
Quynh C Nguyen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Individuals with diabetes are using social media as a method to share and gather information about their health via the diabetes online community. Infoveillance is one methodological approach to examine health care trends. However, infoveillance, while very effective in identifying many real-world health trends, may miss opportunities that use photographs as primary sources for data. We propose a new methodology, photosurveillance, in which photographs are analyzed to examine real-world trends. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research is to (1) assess the use of photosurveillance as a research method to examine real-world trends in diabetes and (2) report on real-world use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on Instagram. METHODS This exploratory mixed methods study examined all photographs posted on Instagram that were identified with the hashtag #dexcom over a 3-month period—December 2016 to February 2017. Photographs were coded by CGM location on the body. Original posts and corresponding comments were textually coded for length of CGM device wear and CGM failure and were analyzed for emerging themes. RESULTS A total of 2923 photographs were manually screened; 12.08% (353/2923) depicted a photograph with a CGM site location. The majority (225/353, 63.7%) of the photographs showed a CGM site in an off-label location, while 26.2% (92/353) were in an FDA-approved location (ie, abdomen) and 10.2% (36/353) were in an unidentifiable location. There were no significant differences in the number of likes or comments based on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Five themes emerged from the analysis of original posts (N=353) and corresponding comments (N=2364): (1) endorsement of CGM as providing a sense of well-being; (2) reciprocating information, encouragement, and support; (3) reciprocating CGM-related frustrations; (4) life hacks to optimize CGM use; and (5) sharing and learning about off-label CGM activity. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that individuals successfully used CGM in off-label locations, posting photos of these areas with greater frequency than of the abdomen, with no indication of sensor failure. While these photographs only capture a snapshot in time, these posts can be used to inform providers and industry leaders of real-world trends in CGM use. Additionally, there were instances in which sensors were worn beyond the FDA-approved 7-day period; however, they represented the minority in this study.

10.2196/11024 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e11024 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Litchman ◽  
Sarah E Wawrzynski ◽  
Whitney S Woodruff ◽  
Joseph B Arrington ◽  
Quynh C Nguyen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 193229682092090
Author(s):  
Patrik Hidefjäll ◽  
Lars Berg

Background: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has shown promise to reduce glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, but its cost-effectiveness is seen as uncertain by reimbursement agencies. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of real-world, off-label, patient controlled CGM use in combination with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) on costs and effects in patients with type 1 diabetes in a Swedish clinic. Methods: A real-world, retrospective study with questionnaire on CGM use by adult patients with type 1 diabetes on CSII (Animas Vibe) were offered sensor augmented pump therapy (SAPT) (Dexcom G4) as part of hospital innovation funding program. Direct medical costs, HbA1c, and complications following switch from CSII with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) to SAPT were calculated. Results: Questionnaire data showed that CGM sensors were on average used 92% of the time for 22 days. One hundred and thirty-nine (95%) of 146 respondents used each sensor for longer than one week. Data analysis showed a statistically significant HbA1c decrease of 0.56% (6.1 mmol/mol) after change to SAPT. In patients using the sensor 100%, the decrease was 0.89% (9.8 mmol/mol). The analysis showed that SAPT led to higher costs (5500 USD/year) than CSII + SMBG (3680 USD/year), with incremental costs being 1815 USD per year to achieve an HbA1c decrease of 0.56% (6.1 mmol/mol). The incidence of all complications declined after switch to SAPT. Conclusion: The primary data analysis showed a decrease in HbA1c values following switch to SAPT, corresponding to previous cost-effectiveness studies, but at substantially lower costs due to longer sensor off-label use.


Diabetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 878-P
Author(s):  
KATHERINE TWEDEN ◽  
SAMANWOY GHOSH-DASTIDAR ◽  
ANDREW D. DEHENNIS ◽  
FRANCINE KAUFMAN

Author(s):  
Melike Şahinol ◽  
Gülşah Başkavak

AbstractThe conventional treatment of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is especially demanding for children, both physically and psychologically (Iversen et al. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being,13(1), 1487758, 2018). Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM) are an important aid for children and their families in dealing with the disease. In their work, however, Şahinol and Başkavak (2020) point out that CGM carry the risk of viewing T1D as a technologically solvable problem instead of considering the disease as a whole. This is mainly creating confidence in technology due to CGM experiences while neglecting significant dietary measures and exercises needed to be integrated into daily routines. During the current pandemic, this problem seems to take on a whole new level. Based on two periods of in-depth interviews and observations conducted with 8 families with T1D children aged 6 to 14 living in Istanbul and Ankara (Turkey) from May to November 2019 and again from May to June 2020, we compare and focus on the experiences prior to and during the pandemic time. We argue that despite the possibility of technological regulation of the disease, the vulnerability of children is increased and, more than ever, depends on socio-bio-technical entanglements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio Krakauer ◽  
Jose Fernando Botero ◽  
Fernando J. Lavalle-González ◽  
Adrian Proietti ◽  
Douglas Eugenio Barbieri

Abstract Background Continuous glucose monitoring systems are increasingly being adopted as an alternative to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) by persons with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin therapy. Main body The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system (Abbott Diabetes Care, Witney, United Kingdom) consists of a factory-calibrated sensor worn on the back of the arm which measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid every minute and stores the reading automatically every 15 min. Swiping the reader device over the sensor retrieves stored data and displays current interstitial glucose levels, a glucose trend arrow, and a graph of glucose readings over the preceding 8 h. In patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving insulin therapy, pivotal efficacy data were provided by the 6-month REPLACE randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 6-month extension study. Compared to SMBG, the flash system significantly reduced the time spent in hypoglycemia and frequency of hypoglycemic events, although no significant change was observed in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Subsequent RCTs and real-world chart review studies have since shown that flash glucose monitoring significantly reduces HbA1c from baseline. Real-world studies in both type 1 diabetes or T2D populations also showed that flash glucose monitoring improved glycemic control. Higher (versus lower) scanning frequency was associated with significantly greater reductions in HbA1c and significant improvements in other measures such as time spent in hypoglycemia, time spent in hyperglycemia, and time in range. Additional benefits associated with flash glucose monitoring versus SMBG include reductions in acute diabetes events, all-cause hospitalizations and hospitalized ketoacidosis episodes; improved well-being and decreased disease burden; and greater treatment satisfaction. Conclusion T2D patients who use flash glucose monitoring might expect to achieve significant improvement in HbA1c and glycemic parameters and several associated benefits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (32) ◽  
pp. 3039-3042
Author(s):  
Lekshmi Raj Jalaja ◽  
Stuti Lohia ◽  
Priyadarsini Bentur ◽  
Ravi Ramgiri

‘Obesity’ is defined as a condition with excess body fat to the extent that health and well-being are adversely affected and uses a class system based on the body mass index (BMI), by the world health organization (WHO). Anaesthetic management of morbidly obese is challenging, as there is an increased risk of perioperative respiratory insufficiency and supplemental oxygen must be given throughout recovery period. The incidence of morbid obesity continues to grow and anaesthesiologists are exposed to obese patients presenting for various procedures. The prevalence of obesity is on the upward trend worldwide. Obesity is a multisystem disorder, involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and therefore, undergoing a surgical procedure under anaesthesia may entail a considerable risk. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is required in treating such patients. Quantification of the extent of obesity is done using the body mass index. BMI is defined as the relationship between weight and height (weight [kg] / height2 [m2 ]).


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Heather Clements ◽  
Stephanie Valentin ◽  
Nicholas Jenkins ◽  
Jean Rankin ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
...  

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, countries worldwide placed limitations on social interaction, which is anticipated to have severe psychological consequences. Although findings are inconsistent, prior research has suggested that companion animals may positively influence human well-being and reduce loneliness. In the context of COVID-19, this has important implications, as companion animal guardians may be less negatively affected by the pandemic. The primary aim of this research was to investigate the influence of companion animals on mental well-being and loneliness during the pandemic, with specific interest in the role of ornamental fishes. A mixed-methods study was conducted, using an international sample. Quantitative data were collected via an online survey (n = 1199) and analysed using robust hierarchical multiple regression analyses; the influence of level of engagement with companion animals was examined for dogs, cats and ornamental fishes. There was no evidence that companion animal guardianship was associated with loneliness and mental well-being during the pandemic but spending more time engaging physically or socially with dogs (and to a lesser extent cats) was generally associated with poorer outcomes. Qualitative data were collected through open-ended survey responses (n = 757) and semi-structured interviews (n = 25) and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Two themes were developed—one related to companion animals as providers of social and emotional support, and the other to companion animals as providers of purpose and perspective. Concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on animal welfare were also identified. Compared to other animal types, more participants expressed indifference regarding the impact of their fishes on their well-being during the pandemic, possibly because fishes cannot provide comfort via physical touch. The findings of this study reflect the wider field of human–animal interaction; although qualitative data suggest guardians believe their companion animals are a positive influence in their lives, there is little convincing quantitative data to support these beliefs. This highlights the need to refine theories regarding which aspects of companion animal guardianship may influence human well-being; the findings from this research may be useful in the refinement of such theories.


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