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Alastair edited this page Oct 16, 2018 · 8 revisions

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

An autoimmune disease where a person's pancreas doesn't produce insulin—a hormone needed to convert food into energy. It is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) training has shown to improve glucose control.

According to the WHO, around 1.6 million people worldwide died due to diabetes in 2016. It is estimated that 425 million people are living with diabetes all over the world. By 2045, projections show this number rising to some 629 million diabetics globally. 

Diabetes is now the third leading cause of death in the US and going up throughout the world. In the UK, it is currently estimated that about £10bn is spent by the NHS on diabetes - that is 10% of the NHS budget. Current cost to public: £192m/week. Total cost forecast to be £40bn/y by 2035. One in seven hospital beds occupied by someone who has diabetes. 57% of T1 diabetics do not receive all eight annual health checks to manage it effectively.

Mental health: the emotional well being of diabetics - particularly chidlren - is vulnerable and they are twice as likely to suffer from depression and for longer periods - coming to terms with the diagnosis, side effects of medication, dealing with daily responsibilities of self-managing.

Ideas for how this app could help (T1) diabetics manage the condition?

  • Focus on children and newly diagnosed. * Simplicity of use. * Mental wellbeing support * Emergency support

Existing Apps

mySugr: Diabetes Tracker Log - meals, blood sugars, activity. Blood sugar and HbA1c at a glance

Diabetes sufferers who use glucose meters to analyse their blood sugar levels can automatically upload data via a Bluetooth connection to their smartphones. From there, the information can be shared usually via email with doctors.

** APP FEATURES **

  • Easy and personalized logging screen (diet, meds, carbs intake, meals, blood glucose levels and more) with clear blood sugar level graphs;
  • Estimated HbA1c at a glance, no more surprises;
  • Motivating challenges and feedback to help cope
  • Daily, weekly and monthly medical analysis;
  • Detailed reports to bring (or send) to your doctor; 
  • Secure data backup and registered medical device (built with regulatory compliance, quality and safety).

** INTEGRATIONS **

  • Steps, activity, blood pressure, CGM data, weight, and more are available via Apple Health®;

** PRO FEATURES **

  • Smart search: find places, meals, activities..;
  • Insulin Calculator (EU only): calculate your insulin dose, corrections and meal shots. Faster, easier and smarter;
  • PDF & Excel reports: save or print all your data for you or your doctor;
  • Blood glucose reminders: you won’t forget to check and log;
  • Meal photos: snap your meals to improve your carb counting;
  • Basal rates for pump users.

Glucose Wiz - Blood sugar log & medication tracker FreeStyle Librelink 2: Comes with kit which checks blood sugar levels.

Survey Questions

  1. Would you find an app to help track injection sites useful?
  2. Do you already use an app to help you manage your diabetes? If so, which?
  3. Please rank the following features in usefulness out of 5:
  • Ability to track previous injection sites and suggest next site.
  • Dividing sites down into smaller "sub-sites".
  • Ability to set site preferences, eg never arms
  • Site suggestion to be specific to time of day, carbohydrate levels or other.
  • Track type of medication, eg long or short acting insulin.
  • Track dosage you've used.
  • Ability to sync/share data with third parties, eg a doctor.
  • Sugar/carbohydrate level tracking and graph.
  • Emergency shoutout to other app users, eg you've lost your insulin.
  • Dosage suggestions based on activity or meals.
  1. Would you like reminders for when to inject?
  2. Would you go to assist another nearby user if they used an Emergency shoutout feature?
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