Dr Francine Kaufman, endocrinologist who has served as president of the American Diabetes Association and Senseonics chief medical officer, outlines how medtech and digital solutions can alleviate the burden of diabetes management.
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In recent years, a confluence of economic, technological, and demographic factors has given rise to a digital revolution in healthcare. Against the global context of a dwindling healthcare workforce, existing models of care are struggling to meet the demands of ageing populations. It is increasingly clear that digital solutions and a data-driven approach to healthcare are key to tackling these issues, to pave the way for lower-cost, higher-efficiency healthcare systems.
Harnessing the power of data and digital connectivity is particularly important for chronic diseases that require expensive and constant self-management, like diabetes. Approximately 537 million adults are living with diabetes globally, a number projected to rise to 643 million by 2030. In 2017, diabetes cost the US $327 billion[1], and while $237 billion of this was medical costs, $90 billion was due to lost productivity. Similarly, in the UK, the NHS spends around £10 billion a year on diabetes[2] – 10% of its entire budget. If only to reduce unsustainable care costs, diabetes is a prime target for digital innovation.
Furthermore, medical technology and digital solutions can considerably alleviate the burden of diabetes self-management. Continuously monitoring glucose levels to inform treatment decisions and lifestyle changes can be demanding, not only for people with diabetes (PWDs), but for parents and caregivers. Luckily, today’s devices and the data they capture provide exciting new possibilities for diabetes management and unparallel insights into each person’s condition.
This year, the 100th anniversary of the first insulin injection presents an opportunity to celebrate the development of several remarkable technologies that improve diabetes self-management outcomes, strengthen interactions with care teams and enhance quality of life for PWDs. One of the most significant breakthroughs for diabetes since insulin was the development of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems, which track glucose levels 24/7 through a tiny sensor, sending insightful data to an app.
CGM sensors are rapidly evolving, with new innovations providing PWDs with an ever-expanding range of options. For example, we recently launched the Eversense E3 CGM System, alongside our partner commercial Ascensia Diabetes Care. This is a system entirely tailored to the needs of PWDs. Our approach to CGM at Senseonics is unique, with a fully implanted sensor lasting six months, a removable smart transmitter that provides on-body vibratory alerts and an app allowing you to share data with others. We strongly believe in this disruptive technology but recognise that all CGM systems offer different features and optionality is key. No person’s diabetes is the same and it’s vital that care providers recognise this.
These technological innovations are life-changing, and the ecosystem of digitally enabled diabetes care continues to develop. However, to offer services at scale, increased interoperability between devices and digital health apps is needed. Recently, there has been the commercialisation of innovative technologies which take interconnected devices to new heights – referred to as the artificial pancreas. Also known as Automated Insulin Delivery (AID), these technologies close the loop between CGM systems and insulin pumps via an algorithm which automatically adjusts insulin doses. These systems can effectively replace the elaborate dance of dosing decisions and active glucose monitoring that PWDs endure daily.
As we enter the digital age, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in diabetes care. A data-driven approach to healthcare and an ecosystem of interconnected digital solutions are unlocking a future for PWDs in which diabetes management is no longer a burden. Companies, healthcare systems and regulators have shown they have the unprecedented ability to transform the lives of PWDs and their families; I for one am honoured to have been part of this journey.
[1] The American Diabetes Association - https://www.diabetes.org/about-us/statistics/cost-diabetes
