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Artificial pancreas may benefit adults with type 1 diabetes

Category: Diabetes

An artificial pancreas may help adults with type 1 diabetes improve their overnight insulin test results, according to a new study from a team of British researchers.

They found that the use of closed-loop insulin delivery technology, also known as an artificial pancreas, can normalize blood sugar levels while individuals are sleeping. Low levels of blood sugar are a common complication of the disease and can lead to dangerous side effects.

The findings are important because the technology had previously only been proven in young children and teens. It never showed strong results in adults before the new investigation.

For the study, researchers from the University of Cambridge had 24 adults with type 1 diabetes use either a closed-loop insulin delivery system or a standard insulin pump after eating a mid-sized meal shortly before bed.

The results showed that those using the artificial pancreas spent 28 percent more time with blood sugar levels in their target range.

If the findings can be applied to daytime activities, the researchers said that the technology may be able to provide adults with a much more flexible lifestyle.