Abbreviations: DCCT, Diabetes Control and Complications Trial; GOLD, glycaemic control and optimisation of life quality in type 1 diabetes; DIAMOND, multiple daily injections and continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes; SWITCH, sensing with insulin pump therapy to control HbA 1c ; JDRF, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; CITY, CGM intervention in teens and young adults with type 1 diabetes; WISDM, wireless innovation for seniors with diabetes mellitus; HypoDE, real-time continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes at high risk for low glucose values using multiple daily injections in Germany; IN CONTROL, continuous glucose monitoring for patients with type 1 diabetes and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia; IMPACT, novel glucose-sending technology and hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes; SELFY, FreeStyle libre glucose monitoring system paediatric study; REPLACE, an evaluation of a novel glucose sensing technology in type 2 diabetes; GP-OSMOTIC, general practice optimising structured monitoring to improve clinical outcomes in type 2 diabetes.

This study examines the overall usability of current, commercially available self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) meters in order to highlight how the design affects the performance of younger and older adults. Sixteen younger participants (18-27) and 29 elderly participants (65-85) attempted to complete two tasks: 1) set date/time and 2) perform a control solution test, using two meters: the Accu-Check Compact Plus® and 2) the One Touch Ultra 2®. Overall, elderly participants had significantly more difficulty completing the two tasks and committed significantly more errors than younger participants. When using the Accu-Chek® meter to set the date and time 79% of elderly adults failed compared to 12% of younger adults. When using the One Touch® meter, 21% of elderly adults failed to complete the task while none of the younger adults failed. Across the two tasks, elderly participants made, on average, an additional 1.6 errors compared to those in the younger group.

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