A comprehensive analysis of diabetic patient data before and during the COVID-19 pandemic - Lessons from the MÉRY diabetes database (MDD).

AIMS: Our study examined changes in average blood glucose levels (ABG), measurement frequency (MF), and data uploading (DU) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in 882-day spans, which were divided into further 20-week intervals to highlight the pandemic's impact. METHODS: T-Tests assessed the statistical significance of blood glucose data from 26,655/20,936 patients and 19.5/16.6 million records during pre-COVID/COVID. RESULTS: During COVID, patients had significantly lower ABG levels (9.1/8.9 mmol/L, p < 0.001). Weekly DU decreased (155,945/128,445, p < 0.05), while daily MF increased (0.83/0.87, p < 0.001). Comparing the last 20 weeks pre-COVID to the first 20 weeks during COVID, ABG levels were lower (9.0 /8.9, p < 0.01), MF increased (0.83 /0.99, p < 0.001), and DU decreased (153,133/145,381, p < 0.05). In the initial 20 weeks of COVID compared to the second 20 weeks of COVID, ABG increased (8.9/9.1, p < 0.01), MF decreased (0.99/0.95, p < 0.001), and DU decreased (145,381/140,166, p < 0.05). Our most striking observation was the temporary dramatic fall in glucose uploads during the first few weeks of COVID. The changes of ABG and MF values were statistically significant, but were not deemed clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite COVID's prolonged impact, diabetic patients showed improved attitudes. A significant drop in data uploads occurred during the first 20 weeks of COVID; home office and lockdowns apparently disrupted patient routines.

How to evaluate over 60 million blood glucose data - The design of the MÉRY Diabetes Database.

AIMS: The aim of the article is to describe the method for creating a close to ideal diabetes database. The MÉRY Diabetes Database (MDD) consists of a large quantity of reliable, well-maintained, precise and up-to-date data suited for clinical research with the intention to improve diabetes care in terms of maintaining targeted blood glucose levels, avoiding hypoglycemic episodes and complications and improving patient compliance and quality of life. METHODS: Based on the analysis of the databases found in the literature and the experience of our research team, nine important characteristics were identified as critical to an ideal diabetes database. The data for our database is collected using MÉRYkék glucometers, a device that meets all requirements of international regulations and measures blood glucose levels within the normal range with appropriate precision (10 %). RESULTS: Using the key characteristics defined, we were able to create a database suitable for the analysis of a large amount of data regarding diabetes care and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The MDD is a reliable and ever growing database which provides stable and expansive foundation for extensive clinical investigations that hold the potential to significantly influence the trajectory of diabetes care and enhance patient outcomes.

Evaluation of Meditech ABPM-06 ambulatory blood pressure measuring device, according to the European Society of Hypertension, the British Hypertension Society and the International Organization for Standardization Protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The devices to be used in clinical practice should be tested for accuracy and should be validated through the validation protocol. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Meditech-ABPM-06 ambulatory blood pressure monitor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The test was carried out in accordance with the protocol established by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH-IP), the British Hypertension Society, and the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2-2013 protocols. RESULTS: In the European Society of Hypertension validation procedure the subjects with two or three of the absolute differences between observer and device SBP/DBP measurements within 5 mmHg were 31/31. The average device-observer difference was -0.4 ± 3.9 mmHg for SBP and -0.4 ± 2.8 mmHg for DBP. In the British Hypertension Society validation procedure the mean differences of the test device and observer readings were -1.0 ± 4.6 (systolic) and -1.1 ± 4.5 (diastolic). In the ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2-2013 validation procedure (criterion 1) the mean ± SD of the differences between the test device and reference BP was -0.5 ± 4.0/-0.3 ± 4.5 mmHg (systolic/diastolic). The two criteria of the ANSI/AAMI/ISO were fulfilled. CONCLUSION: The Meditech ABPM-06 blood pressure measure device met the requirements specified by the British Hypertension Society, the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol and the AAMI, and therefore was considered acceptable to clinical use with a Grade of A/A.

Noninvasive evaluation of neural impairment in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neural dysfunction in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: For this study, 46 subjects with IGT and 45 healthy volunteers underwent detailed neurological assessment. Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by standard cardiovascular reflex tests, and heart rate variability was characterized by the triangle index. Sensory nerve function was assessed using Neurometer (for current perception threshold) and Medoc devices. Peak plantar pressure was measured by dynamic pedobarography, and symptoms were graded using the neuropathy total symptom score. RESULTS: Subjects with IGT had significantly greater abnormalities detected by four of five cardiovascular reflex tests and greater heart rate variability characterized by the triangle index. They had a higher frequency of both hyperesthesia and hypoesthesia as detected by current perception threshold testing at 5 Hz, as well as increased heat detection thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that subclinical neural dysfunction is present in subjects with IGT and can be detected noninvasively. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in IGT subjects.