Closed-loop system offers similar benefits as open-loop for diabetes, says study

Managing your glucose through a closed-loop insulin pump system can provide the same benefits as that of an open-loop system, according to new research reported at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD).
The bihormonal closed-loop system, which acts as an artificial pancreas, is where the insulin pump makes the decisions about when to dose with insulin and glucagon to help people with type 1 diabetes control their condition and prevent the onset of hypoglycaemia. In the case of the open-loop system, wearers themselves decide on dosing.
The study assessed the results from a range of venous and sensor glucose readings from both kinds of system on 10 patients with type 1 diabetes and an average age of just over 55. The patients had to undergo a three-day programme involving a 40-gram carbohydrate breakfast proceeded by half an hour of moderate exercise a couple of hours later, followed by a 60-gram carbohydrate lunch an hour and a half after that.
It was found that there was no real difference in venous glucose concentrations in the use of either loop system, although there were substantially greater venous glucose values for closed-loop patients after exercise. There was also no large overall difference between the systems in sensor glucose concentrations, but they were recorded as higher after breakfast and after exercise for the closed-loop system.
Arianne Van Bo, of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, commented “Exercise is still a challenge for the closed-loop system.”