Diabetes researchers are continually making new discoveries regarding diabetes treatment and prevention. Below is a summary of some of the most recent advances in these areas.

Off-Site Testing: One of the most common reasons why persons with diabetes don't check their blood sugar more regularly is that finger stick testing is painful. To overcome this problem, makers of blood glucose monitoring systems have developed new monitors that utilize sample sites other than the finger, such as the forearm or the thigh. Additionally, these new monitors require much less blood for an accurate reading and can store readings for data management purposes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: Researchers have developed a blood glucose monitoring system that takes readings on a continual basis. In this system, interstitial fluid glucose is measured every 15 seconds via a catheter and these readings are then stored and eventually downloaded to a computer. The glucose concentration in the interstitial fluid is directly proportional to the concentration of glucose in the blood. The sensor used in this system is stable for 72 hours and must be calibrated with 4-6 capillary glucose readings on a daily basis. An implantable continuous glucose monitor utilizing a miniaturized sensor is expected to be available later this year.

Glucowatch Biographer: In April of this year, the FDA approved the use of the Glucowatch Biographer. This device is a noninvasive monitor which measures interstitial fluid glucose through the skin. This monitor requires calibration with capillary glucose to maintain accuracy and can take measurements every 20 minutes for 12 hours.

Novel Insulin Delivery Systems: In the past five years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of the external insulin pump. Use of the external insulin pump requires rigorous self-monitoring and some basic math skills. There is also an implantable pump available for insulin delivery.

Insulin Analogs: Researchers have recently developed several insulin analogs that more accurately approximate physiological levels of insulin. Some of these analogs may be used in conjunction with an insulin pump.

Inhaled Insulin: Diabetes researchers have developed an inhaler-type delivery device that produces fine aerosol droplets of insulin that penetrate deep into the lungs. The effects of this device are comparable to the effects of injected insulin in type 1 diabetic individuals and no adverse effects on lung function have been identified.

Oral Insulin: Researchers have also developed an oral form of insulin that is delivered as a fine spray into the mouth. Clinical trials of this product are still in progress, but researchers hope to have this product on the market sometime this year.

Islet Cell Transplantation: Scientists in Canada have developed a promising technique for the successful transplantation of pancreatic islet cells, the cells that produce insulin. This novel transplantation procedure is minimally invasive and patients can leave the hospital in as little as 24-48 hours after surgery. Late last year, clinical trials of this technique began at nine transplantation centers across the United States.