Martin de Bock; Tim Jones; Liz Davis
Study Staff: Julie Dart; Adam Retterath; Jennifer Nicholas
Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) affects over 130,000 Australians and 22 million people worldwide and is characterised by an absolute deficiency in pancreatic beta cell function mandating lifelong exogenous insulin therapy. An individual’s insulin requirement may vary greatly according to food intake, time of day, stress, fitness, hormones, illness and physical activity. Estimates of insulin needs are usually based upon impact of these factors in combination with self-monitoring and interpretation of blood glucose levels. At present, decisions regarding insulin dosing are made by the patient with intermittent support from their medical team. Mismatch between an individual’s insulin requirementsand insulin delivery results in acute (e.g. severe hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis) and chronic (e.g. ischaemicheart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, amputations, renal failure, blindness and neuropathy) diabetes related complications. Even with glucose sensor augmented insulin pump therapy (SAPT), representing the most advanced technology currently available, there are emotional and intellectual demands placed upon the patient – with the most well educated, intelligent and diligent patients often unable to perfectly match insulin delivery with their varying requirements. A Closed Loop (CL) system whereby a computerised algorithm reviews continuous glucose information to determine a T1D patient’s insulin requirements and control insulin delivery will potentially have a major impact upon acute and chronic complications of diabetes as well as upon their quality of life.
Funder: NHMRC