The monitoring and treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are undergoing profound changes today. Notable steps include the improvement and widespread adoption of glucose sensors which are now extremely reliable and furthermore are used with insulin pumps in an integrated manner. Over the last 2 to 3 years these systems have evolved rapidly with the development and use of algorithms which permit the autonomous regulation of basal insulin. Correct control and administration of basal insulin is often the greatest stumbling block in multiple daily injection therapy as basal insulins cannot replicate the physiological rhythms of basal insulin secretion. Hypoglycemia is another critical point in standard insulin pen therapy as it does not permit dosage modulation in the same way as with an insulin pump. In this article we cover the fundamental steps in this revolution of insulin therapy which promises, in the not too distant future, the ultimate achievement of the artificial pancreas and thus the complete closure of the loop. All those working in diabetes care must be adequately trained and familiar with this technology as it should no longer be considered a niche treatment reserved for carefully selected patients and managed in only a few centers of excellence. In order to choose the best treatment, tailored to each individual patient’s needs, medical staff involved in the treatment of T1D require a thorough knowledge of standalone glucose sensors, insulin pumps and integrated systems with control algorithms.Once the critical issues (costs, psychological aspects, system management difficulties, alarm fatigue, etc.) still related to their use have been resolved, new Hybrid Closed Loop and Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop systems could become the new standard in the treatment of T1D. KEY WORDS type 1 Diabetes; insulin pump; decision-making algorithms; integrated system.
A Survey of Insulin-Dependent Diabetes—Part I: Therapies and Devices