New Technology to Help People With Diabetes Monitor Their Glucose Levels During Ramadan

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system offers alternative for regular glucose monitoring, helping to reduce risks associated with variations in glucose levels during the fasting period

 
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 23 April 2020:   Thousands of people living with diabetes will be able to monitor their glucose levels while fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
 
According to the International Diabetes Federation and the DAR (Diabetes and Ramadan) International Alliance, unmonitored fasting for patients living with diabetes carries the risk of complications associated with blood glucose levels going too low or too high, known as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia respectively1. 
 
Living with diabetes can cause daily fluctuations in glucose levels; however, regular glucose monitoring throughout Ramadan will help maintain better glucose control2. FreeStyle Libre empowers people with diabetes who are fasting by keeping a close eye on their glucose levels around the clock.
 
 
Developed by Abbott, FreeStyle Libre is the world leading sensor-based glucose monitoring system. A small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm automatically measures and continuously stores glucose readings day and night, eliminating the need for routine finger pricks3. 
 
Providing support for people with diabetes who fast during Ramadan, the features and reports of the FreeStyle Libre system can help those people limit glucose variability, minimising risk of hypoglycemia and better managing their overall glucose levels4.
 
“Diabetes is a public health issue in the Middle East and Africa”, said Hani Khasati, Regional Director of Abbott’s diabetes care business. According to the International Diabetes Federation, 54.8 million adults aged 18 to 79 years in the Middle East and North Africa are currently living with diabetes5. Unfortunately, the risks of severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia increase significantly in patients who don’t monitor their blood sugar levels while fasting during Ramadan.”
 
Practical guidelines by the Epidemiology of Diabetes and Ramadan (EPIDIAR) found that people with diabetes typically fast for at least 15 days during Ramadan.  Additionally, the study recorded higher rates of severe hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes while fasting as compared with statistics before fasting.6 Despite these risks, only 37 per cent of people with Type 2 and 67 per cent of people with Type 1 diabetes monitor blood glucose while fasting1.
 
The FreeStyle Libre system offers people greater insights on their glucose levels; such as current glucose readings, glucose level patterns, up to eight hours of glucose history, and low glucose events reports. With easy access to their complete glycemic status, people with diabetes can act faster and more effectively to limit variabilities in their glucose levels during Ramadan. 
 
“With unmatched clinical figures supported by real world data, Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system is a great alternative for people living with diabetes and fasting during Ramadan. Data shows that users of the FreeStyle Libre system have improved their glucose control, increased their time in target glucose range7, and decreased time in hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia8, as well as a sustained reduction in HbA1c over a period of 12-months9.” concluded Khasati.