LIVING
JANUARY FEBRUARY
Our feature (right) took a look at the main It can be said you’re never alone with a
numbers you need to be aware of to keep pump, as there’s sophisticated support in
your overall health in check, from HbA1c place should you need it (below). But nor
to cholesterol. In the news, Omnipod are you alone with a meter, as suppliers
brought out its smallest pod, a boon for now give excellent advice over the ‘telling
anyone keen on progressing onto a patch bone’. Just pick it up and dial. News
pump. Making Carbs Count focused in pages reported an update on research
on soy beans. It’s amazing what those into the artificial pancreas, plus a video
little beans give us to eat (and drink!). of the Omnipod insulin pump (bottom).
ISSUE 32
DESANG
magazine
straight
talking
There’s excellent support on
the end of the line
MARCH
We investigated a question of trust, looking into how bolus wizards work as they come
out of the pump technology arena and into more everyday blood test meterb options
(bottom left). News items showed how Metformin not only helps T2s with insulin
sensitivity but has proven hearth health benefits too. Then there’s info on T1 and the
bugs in your guts and how fizzy drinks are really not very good for you. In our KIT making
carbs count:
pages (bottom right), we spoke to the designer of the new Savvio Humpan from Eli THE bEnEfiTs of bEETrooT
Lilly. Making Carbs Count went seasonal with the gentle delights of British asparagus. PLUS • New Products • Groovy giveaways • News (for T1 and T2)
ISSUE 33
NEWS
NEWS
DESANG INSULIN PENS GET SAVVY
ARTIFICIAL PUMP ‘REAL-WORLD’ TRIAL
diabetes magazine Tom Brobson has recently taken part in an artificial pancreas clinical trial, and
At Diabetes UK’s annual professionals The designer of the pen, Stuart Garvin, Lilly still provides prefilled pens, but made a video about his experience. Tom is the National Director for Research
conference which took place in Manchester is an industrial engineer and is responsible for those who ‘think green’, then these Investment Opportunities at JDRF in the US and has been involved in a number
in mid-March, Lilly launched its latest in for the look, feel and actions of the pen – reusable pens are designed to last up of artificial pancreas trials over a number of years. He took part in this trial, which
the HumaPen range, the Savvio. It’s been for example, the injection mechanism has to six years with far less impact on the took the system out of the hospital into the real world, wearing the artificial
engineered to resemble a small personal an improved, smoother injection force. environment. Says Stockley, “They’re pancreas for three days and nights as part of a clinical trial run by a group of
accessory rather than a medical device “You can stick it in a jacket pocket, and no really ‘touchable’. They feel more of a researchers at the University of Virginia. JDRF has helped this research progress
and has been designed following feedback one would know it’s a medical device. It’s quality product and look less medical.” from a concept to a working system that is now in clinical trials outside of a
from people with diabetes who wanted lighter than its predecessor, the action is The pens even comes in a rather hospital setting. Similar trials are currently being conducted in the UK by Dr
to manage their diabetes discreetly. The smoother when delivering the insulin and snazzy box, so that – like any quality Roman Hovorka at the University of Cambridge, some of the funds for which
market research took place in six countries. it’s more accurate. We’ve used darker purchase – the experience is a joy from are provided by JDRF. ARTIFICIAL PUMP TRIAL
The research team spent a day-in-the life inks and added a red dot indicator to help the start. “There are elements of pleasure
with patients in their own homes to gather people give the correct dose. These small all the way through,” says Garvin, “the
ALCOHOL STUDY NEEDS SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
real-life understanding of how they use but significant improvements. They’re also only problem is you might have problems
their insulin devices and the challenges highly durable.” choosing which colour to go for.”
they face.
The HumaPen Savvio is easy to dial
Dr. Katharine Barnard, Health Psychologist and Senior Research Fellow at the
and dose and features smooth glide force
Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton is conducting research into
an easy-to-use cartridge holder. It comes
minimising the risk of alcohol for young adults with Type 1 diabetes. The project
in blue, graphite, green, silver, pink and
is using an online survey to reach T1s aged 18-30 years. The survey, which is
red and is available for use with Lilly’s
funded with a small grant from Diabetes UK, needs 1,000 responses. The survey
3ml insulin cartridges, which include the
Humalog and Humulin brands of insulin consists of a ’10-drink quiz’ related to alcohol content and the self-management
and doses from 1 to 60 units in one- strategies that young T1s use to stay safe when drinking.
unit increments (a half-unit option may Participants are invited to complete the web survey provided at the link below,
could you trust
a bolus wizard?
come later). It comes with an insufficient which will take approximately 10-15 minutes. It asks questions related to alcohol
remaining dose feature that prevents the health literacy, diabetes and the strategies that participants use to stay safe while
user from dialing more units than those drinking alcohol. Click link to complete the survey: Alcohol Survey.
remaining in the cartridge. The cartridge
changing mechanism is also easier – just
twist and click. It fits any brand of pen
needle. E-PETITION VIEW VID ON OMNIPOD
“I want my patients to feel confident
about managing their condition and
being able to get on with everyday living,”
FOR ACCESS
says Susan Stockley, Lead Diabetes
making Specialist Nurse from East Surrey The DUAG group (Dafne User Group)
Hospital. “People with diabetes handle has set up an e-petition to try and
carbs their devices every day and to some, persuade the government to provide
a central source of funding for
count:
the device reminds them that they are
on important medication and ‘different’. diabetes education. The intention is
This new insulin pen blends in with their to help avoid the postcode lottery that
top asparagus tips accessories and feels personalised, plus can affect diabetes education. The
the size means they can be more discreet aim is to get 100,000 signatures by
when administering.” To get a HumaPen Savvio, speak to your diabetes nurse. November. DIABETES E-PETITION
PLUS • New Products • Groovy giveaways • News (for T1 and T2)
continued over