Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a fatal complication of diabetes that claims the lives of many people worldwide. It is a condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, and as a result, it breaks down fats into ketones.

These ketones then build up in the bloodstream, leading to an acidic environment, which can be fatal.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing Diabetic Ketoacidosis requires close monitoring of glucose levels and the timely administration of insulin.

For a long time, people with diabetes have had to deal with the inconvenience of finger pricks several times a day to monitor their glucose levels. While traditional glucometers have been effective, they can be cumbersome, and many people fail to comply with regular glucose monitoring, leading to poor diabetes control.

The Freestyle® Libre System

The Freestyle® Libre system is an innovative technology that allows people with diabetes to continuously monitor their glucose levels without the need for traditional finger pricks.

The system consists of a small disc-shaped sensor that is inserted under the skin on the upper arm. The sensor continuously measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, and the results can be read using a handheld reader or a smartphone app.

The Benefits of the Freestyle® Libre System

The Freestyle® Libre system has several benefits that make it an ideal tool for preventing Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring: The sensor can measure glucose levels continuously, providing information on how glucose levels are trending in real-time.
No Finger Pricks: The Freestyle® Libre system eliminates the need for painful and cumbersome finger pricks.
Data Sharing: With the Freestyle® LibreLink app, glucose data can be shared with healthcare providers, allowing for timely intervention if glucose levels are not within the target range.
Battery Life: The sensor has a battery life of up to two weeks, reducing the need for frequent sensor changes.

The Impact of the Freestyle® Libre System on Hospitalizations

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Freestyle® Libre system in reducing hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Study 1

A study conducted by Misra et al. assessed the impact of the Freestyle® Libre system on hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis in people with type 1 diabetes.

The study involved 50 participants, and the results showed a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis, from an average of 1.6 admissions per year to 0.28 admissions per year after the introduction of the Freestyle® Libre system.

Study 2

A retrospective study conducted by Fokkert et al. evaluated the impact of continuous glucose monitoring on hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The study involved 169 participants, and the results showed a significant reduction in the number of hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis, from 11.4 admissions per 100 patient-years before continuous glucose monitoring to 2.7 admissions per 100 patient-years after the introduction of continuous glucose monitoring.

Conclusion

The Freestyle® Libre system is an innovative technology that is revolutionizing diabetes management.

Its continuous glucose monitoring capabilities, no finger prick, battery life and data sharing features make it an ideal tool for preventing Diabetic Ketoacidosis. With the results of various studies, it is evident that the Freestyle® Libre system has the potential to significantly reduce hospitalizations for Diabetic Ketoacidosis and improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.