Role of Flash Glucose Monitoring System in Diabetic Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Background: Diabetic patients show serious complications of chronic liver disease. The monitoring of glucose in diabetic patients with chronic liver disease is very challenging. Generally, the glycaemic control monitoring in chronic liver disease patients is the same as in a person who does not have any liver disease. Flash glucose monitoring system is a way to measure glucose levels of body without pricking the body. It is an innovative method of measuring glucose levels. A flash glucose monitor is a small sensor. This sensor is a small sticky chip and is attached on the skin of the arm. One side of the chip has a small needle that goes inside the skin. It records glucose levels throughout day and night continuously. Levels of glucose can be assessed whenever wanted. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Medical Ward 1, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur and the Department of Pathology, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from 1st January 2018 to June 2020. Freestyle Libre Sensor flash glucose monitoring system (by CoolPlus Medical) was used to measure glucose of subcutaneous interstitial fluid. The disposable sensor was applied to the back of the arm for up to 14 days. Sensor is calibrated by the factory with no automatic alarms. Results: We noticed that the results of the patients who had co-existing disease of chronic hepatitis and diabetes mellitus had same results of glucose readings when measured by flash glucose monitoring system and by finger prick for glucose measurement by glucometer. Conclusion: Flash glucose monitoring system is way better than self monitoring blood glucose method by glucometer in diabetic patients with chronic liver disease. Keywords: Diabetes, glucose, monitoring, chronic liver disease, complications