JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American
Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) today issued a task
force consensus statement outlining recommended clinical approaches to
pump therapy for patients with type 1 (T1D) and insulin-requiring type 2
(T2D) diabetes mellitus.
The number of patients using insulin pumps in the U.S. has been reported
to range from 350,000 to 515,000.
The consensus statement lauds the benefits of pumps versus multiple
daily insulin injections in appropriate patients, including favorable
differences in glycemic control based on A1c, greater improvements in
quality-of-life measures and reductions in severe hypoglycemic episodes.
The statement also emphasizes the need for medical providers to offer a
uniform and comprehensive patient training program, noting that optimal
patient success in pump use is contingent upon proper education in the
therapy’s use, ongoing re-education and skills testing, and frequent
follow-up contact with their healthcare team. Such a training program
should encompass the following:
-
Pump and infusion set operations
-
Maintenance and troubleshooting
-
Infusion site preparation
-
Calculation for pump settings
The statement identifies the ideal insulin pump patient as one who:
-
Has T1D or T2D that requires intensive insulin treatment
-
Currently performs four or more insulin injections and four or more
self-monitored blood glucose testing measurements daily
-
Is motivated to achieve optimal blood glucose control
-
Is capable of executing the complex and time-consuming therapy
-
Maintains frequent contact with his/her healthcare team
“Even after more than three decades of insulin pump clinical use and the
improvements that have occurred over time, there is no question that
expert guidance is still necessary to ensure their safe and optimal
use,” said task force chair Dr. George Grunberger, F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E.
“Thus, this statement identifies what we feel are steps necessary to
advance the proper use of these devices.”
The consensus statement is featured in Volume 20, Number 5, May 2014
issue of
Endocrine Practice,
AACE’s peer-reviewed journal. To review the complete
statement, visit https://www.aace.com/files/insulin-pump-management-cs.pdf.
About the Journal
Endocrine
Practice,
the official journal of the American College of
Endocrinology (ACE) and the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists (AACE), is a peer-reviewed journal published twelve
times a year. The Journal publishes the latest information in the
treatment of diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, growth hormone
deficiency, sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis, and contains original
articles, case reports, review articles, commentaries, editorials,
visual vignettes, as well as classified and display advertising. Special
issues of Endocrine Practice also include AACE clinical practice
guidelines and other AACE/ACE white papers. Complete content is
available on the Endocrine Practice Web site at www.endocrinepractice.org.
About the American Association of Clinical
Endocrinologists (AACE)
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) represents
more than 6,500 endocrinologists in the United States and abroad. AACE
is the largest association of clinical endocrinologists in the world.
The majority of AACE members are certified in endocrinology, diabetes
and metabolism and concentrate on the treatment of patients with
endocrine and metabolic disorders including diabetes, thyroid disorders,
osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, cholesterol disorders,
hypertension and obesity. Visit our site at www.aace.com.
About the American College of Endocrinology (ACE)
The American College of Endocrinology (ACE) is the educational and
scientific arm of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
(AACE). ACE is the leader in advancing the care and prevention of
endocrine and metabolic disorders by: providing professional education
and reliable public health information; recognizing excellence in
education, research and service; promoting clinical research and
defining the future of Clinical Endocrinology. For more information,
please visit www.aace.com/college.
