Use of a Computer Program in the Treatment and Education of Young Diabetics

Abstract

The goal of diabetes therapy is to achieve normal blood glucose (BG) levels t o prevent acute and chronic complications. The ascertainment of BG during the day is done using glucometers. There are three major impediments: a) compliance to test for long periods; b) overview of results; c) cost of meter and chemistrips. We have developed systems which help overcome the problem. Treatment by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including social workers, psychologist and education nurse have increased motivation and the patients perform a mean (+SD) of 2.8 (k2.3) tests/day even in the second year. The development of a computer system (DIACON) enabled a rapid accurate statistical analysis of data on self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM), food intake and insulin dose. The patient feeds the computer the SBGM data and receives histograms and tables presenting the mean kSD of BG levels for the requested periods. The dietician feeds the dietary data which provides a break-up into CHO. fats and proteins as well as the distribution in percentage of CHO intake during the day. The physician formulates his recommendation in accordance with data analysis.Endocrinology, 49 100 Petah Tikva, Israel ing requirements are useful or even obligatory pre-requisites t o help achieve the above:Availability of easy and accurate means of ascertaining blood glucose (BG) levels. The widely used urine glucose determinations have been found to be inadequate to reflect the metabolic status of the diabetic at a given time [ 1-31.