JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Results from one of the largest studies of new diabetes management systems shows that using a combination of insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor results in significantly better long term blood glucose control compared to people using insulin injections alone.

Whilst it has long been known that insulin pump therapy can provide both a physical and psychological benefit to users, results from the recent Sensor-Augmented Pump Therapy for A1C Reduction trial (otherwise known as STAR 3) have shown that using an insulin pump in combination with a continuous glucose monitor can significantly reduce blood sugar fluctuations.

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The JDRF Artificial Pancreas Consortium has made significant advancements in their quest to develop a safe and effective automated diabetes management system, with trials already showing it is possible to maintain healthy blood glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes without the need for human intervention.

To date, the closed-loop systems tested have combined an insulin pump with glucose monitoring and complex computer programs designed to predict and activate insulin release as required. Whilst results of these trials have been overwhelmingly positive, researchers have found it to be more difficult than first anticipated to finely tune blood glucose levels – particularly when protecting patients against potentially dangerous hypoglycemia caused by too much insulin.

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Tassie Mum Leah calls to her son while she is on the phone to JDRF. “Cooper, come and have some more sandwich! He’s actually on his way to a hypo right now,” she says.

Cooper is a bright, active, “beautiful” seven year old boy who has had type 1 diabetes since he was three. Back then, while visiting a sick brother in hospital, Cooper picked up a virus. Leah says he never really recovered.

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Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon MP, has announced an expansion of the Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program, with a dramatically increased government subsidy of up to 80% of the purchase price of an insulin pump.

The program was first launched in 2008 and provides a means-tested subsidy towards the purchase of an insulin pump for children under 18 who do not have access to private health insurance.

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In a significant breakthrough for people with diabetes, JDRF has formed a partnership with two international companies to produce an automated diabetes management system to eliminate the need for insulin injections and dramatically reduce the risk of life threatening health complications.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has today announced an innovative partnership to develop an automated system to help people with type 1 diabetes better control their disease – the first step on the path to what would be among the most revolutionary advancements in treating type 1 diabetes: the development of an artificial pancreas, a fully automated system to dispense insulin to patients based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels.

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After visiting the White House to meet US President Barack Obama with 150 young people from around the world earlier this year, JDRF Youth Ambassador Brendan still had a couple more names on his list of world leaders to meet and talk about type 1 diabetes. He was able to cross another name off recently when he had dinner with the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd.

JDRF: How did you come to meet the PM?

Brendan: My Federal MP, Roger Price, invited me to his annual dinner dance.  He was being honoured for serving 25 years in Parliament and invited the PM as his guest of honour.  When we arrived at the dance, I was told by Mr Price’s staff that I would be sitting next to Mr Rudd for dinner, which was quite exciting!

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A JDRF trial shows that continuous glucose monitor (CGM) devices help to maintain tight blood sugar levels whilst lowering the risk of dangerously low blood sugar.

There is extensive research to show that tight blood glucose control is the best way to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes complications such as kidney failure, retinopathy and heart disease. According to results from the Diabetes Complications and Control Trial, every one point reduction in HbA1C reduces the risk of long-term complications by approximately 40%.

Unfortunately, research has also shown that one of the hurdles to tight blood sugar control is the risk of hypoglycemia – both real and perceived.

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