Technological Developments and Quality of Life in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Review of the Modern Insulin Analogues, Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Pump Therapy

Abstract

Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is characterized by an increased prevalence worldwide, which, in fact, tends to take extensive dimensions. The recent rapid development of science and technology has significantly contributed to the improvement of the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus, both in achieving the required euglycaemic regulation and reducing the psychological burden associated with the disease, consequently improving the quality of life of the patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A literature review from 2010, related to the contribution of the modern insulin analogues, continuous glucose monitoring and the insulin pump, was performed using Scopus, ScienceDirect and PubMed databases. Results: Studies included in the review support a direct and indirect association of technological innovations with the quality of life. The use of type 1 diabetes mellitus technology was negatively associated with the frequency of the hypoglycaemias and the value of the glycosylated hemoglobin, while at the same time, the development and use of the related technology were highly associated with an improvement in the quality of life. Conclusion: Patients’ quality of life is an indicator of the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus, and it is just as important as glycaemic regulation. Through this review, it was concluded that a better quality of life of T1DM patients was associated with the improvement of glycosylated hemoglobin and hypoglycemic episodes.